It's Reigning Men

• King Philippe of the Belgians

  The newest country in Western Europe has its seventh king on the throne, after he took over from his father Albert II in 2013.King Philippe of the Belgians became head of state at a time when controversy was circling the royal family because of a daughter Albert had fathered during an affair.In the past 12 years Philippe has steadied the ship and become a figure of stability in the country, often representing the nation abroad.One of the most notable visits during his reign was to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2022, a former colony of Belgium.Between 1885 - 1908 King Leopold II of the Belgians colonised the Congo and it's estimated around 10 million people were killed.Historians describe it as one of the worst examples of colonisation.Now, more than 100 yeas later, discussions are happening in Belgium whether institutions - like the monarchy and government - are willing to apologise for the barbaric acts the monarchy and the state carried out.Guests:Wim Dehandschutter, Royalty Journalist and AuthorPauline Malenga Mwanga, Royal Museum for Central AfricaHosted by Daniel Rosney'Achter de muren van het paleis/ Behind the palace doors': https://www.borgerhoff-lamberigts.be/shop/boeken/achter-de-muren-van-het-paleisOur email is: [email protected] for listening to It’s Reigning Men - a brand new podcast about royalty, royal families, and monarchs of the world. If you enjoyed it, please tell your friends who also might be interested in Kings, Queens, power and palaces.It would be great if you could subscribe so more episodes appear in your feed as soon as they’re ready.Find us on social media to Direct Message us on all the usual apps. Just search ‘It’s Reigning Men’. We're more than happy to take suggestions for a topic to be explored or to answer any questions about monarchies or specific members of royal families.There’s also a weekly newsletter on Substack too: https://itsreigningmen.substack.com/Speak soon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• King Charles III of Canada

  As well as being King of the United Kingdom, Charles III is also monarch of 14 other realms - including Canada.Since he inherited the throne in 2022 there has been much discussion around the King's relationship with the other realms and territories where he's head of state.In recent weeks that conversation has been happening in Canada as the president of its neighbour, the United States, has expressed his wish for Canada to become 'the 51st state' of the USA.Up until now it's been the Canadian government responding to the White House but there have been calls for King Charles III to do more and defend the country he's head of state.All of this at a time when the King, on the advice of the British Prime Minister Sir Kier Starmer, has invited President Donald Trump to a state visit in the UK.Can Charles reflect his role as King of Canada to Trump in any way? Or should he leave it to the new Canadian PM Mark Carney?Guests:Carolyn Harris, Historian and AuthorPhilippe Lagassé, Associate Professor at Carleton UniversityHosted by Daniel RosneyOur email is: [email protected] for listening to It’s Reigning Men - a brand new podcast about royalty, royal families, and monarchs of the world. If you enjoyed it, please tell your friends who also might be interested in Kings, Queens, power and palaces.It would be great if you could subscribe so more episodes appear in your feed as soon as they’re ready.Find us on social media to Direct Message us on all the usual apps. Just search ‘It’s Reigning Men’. We're more than happy to take suggestions for a topic to be explored or to answer any questions about monarchies or specific members of royal families.There’s also a weekly newsletter on Substack too: https://itsreigningmen.substack.com/Speak soon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  30:57
• King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck of Bhutan

  Nestled in between India and China is the Kingdom of Bhutan, one of the world’s newest monarchies.Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck is the country’s fifth king and when he became head of state in 2006 he was the world’s youngest monarch. The King oversees a nation that measures its success with happiness of a population and is being credited with innovative ways to ensure younger people don’t emigrate. Guests:Tshering Tobgay, Prime Minister of BhutanHosted by Daniel RosneyOur email is: [email protected] for listening to It’s Reigning Men - a brand new podcast about royalty, royal families, and monarchs of the world. If you enjoyed it, please tell your friends who also might be interested in Kings, Queens, power and palaces.It would be great if you could subscribe so more episodes appear in your feed as soon as they’re ready.Find us on social media to Direct Message us on all the usual apps. Just search ‘It’s Reigning Men’. We're more than happy to take suggestions for a topic to be explored or to answer any questions about monarchies or specific members of royal families.There’s also a weekly newsletter on Substack too: https://itsreigningmen.substack.com/Speak soon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  25:46
• Emperor Naruhito of Japan

  Japan claims to have the oldest continuing monarchy in the world with an unbroken line from the same family for more than 2600 years.But there's a succession problem in the current Japanese imperial family as Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako only have one child, Princess Aiko, and Japan forbids women from inheriting the throne.The United Nations has suggested officials look at changing the law to make it more equal. Up until 1947 the Emperor of Japan was seen as a divine figure on Earth and worshipped by many, but a constitution change formally declared the emperor to be human.After Japan surrendered in World War II the role of the head of state was changed and the image the imperial household presents to the country is still struggling with traditional values versus a modern society.Guests:Alice Tseng, Professor of Japanese Art & Architecture at the University of BostonHirohito Tsuji, Specialist in the Imperial Family of JapanHosted by Daniel RosneyOur email is: [email protected] for listening to It’s Reigning Men - a brand new podcast about royalty, royal families, and monarchs of the world. If you enjoyed it, please tell your friends who also might be interested in Kings, Queens, power and palaces.It would be great if you could subscribe so more episodes appear in your feed as soon as they’re ready.Find us on social media to Direct Message us on all the usual apps. Just search ‘It’s Reigning Men’. We're more than happy to take suggestions for a topic to be explored or to answer any questions about monarchies or specific members of royal families.There’s also a weekly newsletter on Substack too: https://itsreigningmen.substack.com/Speak soon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  27:01
• Pope Francis of The Vatican City

  This episode contains some discussion around sexual abuse in the second half of the episode, which may not be appropriate for all.As head of state of The Vatican City, Pope Francis is also a monarch.He is one of a handful of elected monarchs in the world, which also include Cambodia, Malayisa and United Arab Emirates.In this episode we look at the the Pope's role as a monarch, as well as leader of the Catholic church, and discuss the influence he has with other world leaders.We look at how a Pope is elected in a conclave and explore the changes he's brought to the church.This episode was recorded while Pope Francis is in hospital.Guests:Colleen Dulle, Inside the Vatican podcast hostCharles Collins, Managing Editor at Crux'Inside The Vatican' podcast can be listened to here: https://www.americamagazine.org/voices/inside-vaticanHosted by Daniel RosneyOur email is: [email protected] for listening to It’s Reigning Men - a brand new podcast about royalty, royal families, and monarchs of the world. If you enjoyed it, please tell your friends who also might be interested in Kings, Queens, power and palaces.It would be great if you could subscribe so more episodes appear in your feed as soon as they’re ready.Find us on social media to Direct Message us on all the usual apps. Just search ‘It’s Reigning Men’. We're more than happy to take suggestions for a topic to be explored or to answer any questions about monarchies or specific members of royal families.There’s also a weekly newsletter on Substack too: https://itsreigningmen.substack.com/Speak soon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  28:49

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