The Royals

Investigators in the Philippines are looking into Thomas Markle Sr, the father of the Duchess of Sussex, after his son told authorities he had found child sex abuse images at his father’s former home. So, what exactly do we know about the allegations? What could happen next? And is the scandal shifting the narrative around Meghan?

Thomas Markle Sr denies the allegations against him.

In this special episode from our sister podcast, The Story, Kate Mansey discusses the investigation, Meghan’s statement and the questions facing police.

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to press follow at the top of your podcast app.

What would you like to know about the Caribbean tour? Send your questions and thoughts to theroyals@thetimes.co.uk.

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Clips: TalkTV, ITV News, E! News, The Daily T Podcast, The Real Thomas Markle Jr. and Friends - YouTube, Hard Megxit - YouTube, ABC News, Dan Wootton Outspoken - YouTube, 7News, Sky News.

Read more: Police suspect Meghan’s father is ‘grossest kind of sex offender’

Further listening: The Story

Producers: Sophie McNulty, Micaela Arneson

Executive producer: Harry Stott

Sound design: Dave Creasey

Image: Getty
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prince Harry has renewed his call to reconcile with King Charles and Prince William — but are his public interventions making a private resolution harder? And should William meet his brother halfway?

Harry's newly released GQ interview landed as senior royals hosted the Sultan of Oman at Windsor. Harry’s team says the timing was outside their control and denies his comments were a swipe at William. Days earlier, Harry and Meghan received a warm welcome in Nottingham as they continued to build their independent public role in Britain.

Roya Nikkhah and The Times executive editor Jeremy Griffin debate what both brothers should do next, answer listener questions about forgiveness, trust and William’s responsibilities as a future king, and Roya reports back from Nottingham: can the Sussexes assert their independence without deepening tensions with the Crown?

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to press follow at the top of your podcast app.

Roya and Kate will join the King and Queen’s Caribbean tour next week. What would you like to know? Send your questions and thoughts to theroyals@thetimes.co.uk.

Clip: GQ

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Read more: Harry and Meghan hate phrase 'working members of the royal family.'

Further listening: Why Harry and Meghan face a school and security crisis

Producer: Robert Wallace

Video Producer: Eve Chadbourn

Executive Producer: Priyanka Deladia

Image: Getty
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Harry and Meghan are back in Britain and this week they’re stepping out together for a series of public appearances that look strikingly like royal engagements.

In Nottingham, the Sussexes are returning to causes associated with their working royal years, with royal reporters and photographers once again covering them on the ground. So what exactly are Harry and Meghan trying to build in the UK – and how different is it from the life they walked away from?

Roya Nikkhah and Kate Mansey examine whether the couple are creating a new public role for themselves outside the official Royal Family, how Buckingham Palace is responding, and why the increasingly blurred line between charitable work and commercial interests could prove difficult to navigate.

They also discuss Harry’s relationship with the King, the continuing rift with Prince William, and whether the Sussexes’ new model of public life could create fresh tensions with the Palace.

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Read more: Prince Harry and Meghan ‘know they’re not invited’ to royal Christmas

Producer: Natalie Ktena

Video Producer: Eve Chadbourn

Executive Producer: Priyanka Deladia

Image: Getty
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why is Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor taking the Thames Valley Police to court — and what could his legal challenge change?

Ahead of this week's High Court hearing, Kate Mansey and Roya Nikkhah are joined by The Times legal editor Jonathan Ames to explain Andrew’s challenge to the search warrants used by Thames Valley Police in its investigation into his dealings with Jeffrey Epstein. What could a successful challenge mean? And who will cover the legal costs – with the King reportedly insisting his financial support must not fund the case?

Andrew remains under investigation following his February arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office. He denies all wrongdoing.

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to press follow at the top of your podcast app.

Get in touch: theroyals@thetimes.co.uk

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Read more: ’Poor Andrew? He’s having a very nice time’

Further listening: Andrew inquiry looks into 'sexual misconduct' allegations

Producer: Robert Wallace

Video Producer: Eve Chadbourn

Executive Producer: Priyanka Deladia

Image: Getty
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Four years into his reign, is King Charles setting the royal agenda — or being forced to react to the people and problems around him?

Earl Spencer has renewed his attack on the King’s character and accused Buckingham Palace of responding “very aggressively” to his memoir. Harry and Meghan’s return to Britain continues to test the boundaries between family reconciliation and royal authority. And Andrew remains the most serious institutional threat, with the police investigation into him ongoing. He denies any wrongdoing.

Roya Nikkhah and Kate Mansey examine how Charles has handled these pressures — and whether his palace’s increasingly interventionist approach is a sign of confidence or defensiveness. With the King’s public approval at a record high for his reign, is the monarchy proving more resilient than the headlines suggest?

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to press follow at the top of your podcast app.

Is Charles a King under siege, or does the monarch remain resilient? Get in touch: theroyals@thetimes.co.uk

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Read more: Earl Spencer's memory is no way to judge the King

Further listening: Inside the search for King Charles's most powerful aide

Producer: Robert Wallace

Video Producer: Eve Chadbourn

Executive Producer: Priyanka Deladia

Image: Getty
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.