As a new year begins, the monarchy faces fresh tests. Roya and Kate, joined by Jeremy Griffin, look at what lies ahead – from the latest Epstein file revelations about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and scrutiny of royal finances, to a possible US state visit and Prince Harry’s return to the UK courts. So, how will the final weeks of last year shape the Crown’s challenges in the months ahead?

Guests:

• Jeremy Griffin, executive editor, The Times and Times Radio

Listens:

Power, politics and the Palace

Image: Getty

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2025 tested the Royal Family like few years before it. As Andrew’s long-running crisis reached its decisive moment, the monarchy also faced illness at the top, family fractures and global diplomacy. In this end-of-year special, Roya Nikkhah and Kate Mansey look back on a year that reshaped the Crown forever.

Presenters: Roya Nikkhah, royal editor for The Sunday Times, and Kate Mansey, royal editor of The Times

Contributors: Andrew Lownie; George Greenwood, investigations reporter at The Times; Kaya Burgess, religious affairs correspondent at The Times; Aubrey Allegretti, chief political correspondent for The Times; Max Foster, anchor and correspondent at CNN; Mark Landler, London bureau chief at The New York Times; Chiara Brown, commissioning editor at The Times Luxx

Producer: Robert Wallace

Editor: Stephen Titherington

Image: Getty Images

Clips: Extracts from 'The Reluctant Traveller', an Apple Original series, courtesy of Apple TV

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As Britain prepares to hear the King’s Christmas Broadcast, we ask what the monarch’s message can - and can’t - achieve after one of the most difficult years the institution has faced in decades. With the Andrew and Epstein link deepening scrutiny of the Crown, and public support for the monarchy at a historic low, how does the King speak to a world that is changing fast? Kate and Roya are joined by The Sunday Times Europe editor Peter Conradi to explore royal crises past and present, the power of the Christmas message, and what Charles needs to say, or carefully avoid, in his most important speech to date.

Presenters: Roya Nikkhah, royal editor for The Sunday Times, and Kate Mansey, royal editor of The Times

Contributor: Peter Conradi, Europe editor of The Sunday Times

Producer: Robert Wallace

Editor: Stephen Titherington

Image: X.com / @RoyalFamily

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In a poignant visit to a homeless charity, Prince William this week introduced his son Prince George to the family business by taking him to one of Diana’s most cherished charities. So what does this mean for the way in which the two future Kings are shaping the monarchy? In a year marked by illness, family strain and intense scrutiny, the institution is under more pressure than ever before. But there’s good news for the Windsors, too. King Charles gave a rare health update confirming his cancer treatment will be reduced in the New Year. Roya and Kate are joined by The Times health editor Eleanor Hayward to examine what these parallel moments reveal about leadership, inheritance, and how the future of the Crown is being shaped in real time.

Presenters: Roya Nikkhah, royal editor for The Sunday Times, and Kate Mansey, royal editor of The Times

Contributor: Eleanor Hayward, health editor of The Times

Producer: Robert Wallace

Editor: Stephen Titherington

Image: Getty Images

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In a year marked by scandal and uncertainty, Catherine, Princess of Wales, has emerged as a figure of quiet resolve and renewed influence within the Royal Family. Roya and Kate unpack the year - from remission to the royal spotlight - and what it all reveals about the Queen she will become. Plus, Prince Harry’s UK security faces fresh review, and Meghan reconnects with her estranged father in a week of highly personal Sussex headlines.

Presenters: Roya Nikkhah, royal editor for The Sunday Times, and Kate Mansey, royal editor of The Times

Producer: Robert Wallace

Editor: Stephen Titherington

Image: Getty Images

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This week, King Charles hosts German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in a diplomatically significant state visit at Windsor Castle, reaffirming ties between the UK and Europe. But as the pageantry unfolded, Parliament announced a formal inquiry into the Crown Estate. Following revelations over Andrew’s lease deal at Royal Lodge, other royal properties are now under a new level of scrutiny. Kate and Roya are joined by Times reporter Tom Witherow and German royal expert Annelie Malun to unpack a week of ceremony, soft power and hard questions.

Presenters: Roya Nikkhah, royal editor for The Sunday Times, and Kate Mansey, royal editor of The Times

Contributors: Tom Witherow, senior news reporter at The Times, and Annelie Malun, royal expert for ARD

Producer: Robert Wallace

Editor: Stephen Titherington

Image: Getty Images

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This week, three royal stories converge in America. Andrew’s ties to Epstein reach Congress, King Charles is reportedly planning a high-profile state visit, and Prince Harry is already there - recasting his role from Montecito. President Trump has signed the Epstein Files Transparency Act, but has the monarchy’s handling of Andrew emboldened American lawmakers? And is the British royal family still America’s favourite foreign soap opera? Roya Nikkhah is joined by Mark Landler of The New York Times, and Chiara Brown of The Times.

Presenter: Roya Nikkhah, royal editor for the Sunday Times

Contributors: Mark Landler, London bureau chief of The New York Times; Chiara Brown, commissioning editor at The Times Luxx.

Producer: Robert Wallace

Editor: Stephen Titherington

Photo: Getty Images

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After one of the most turbulent months for the monarchy in generations, Roya and Kate step back from the noise to ask a bigger question; what is the Royal family for? As headlines rage, the Windsors keep going: Catherine returned to public life; William promoted his climate agenda in Brazil; and Princess Anne powered through a demanding schedule in Australia and Singapore. And the Court Circular never missed a beat. They are joined by Michael Binyon, former foreign correspondent for The Times and longtime Leader writer, to explore how the monarchy weathers crises, how it projects British influence abroad and what lies behind the real purpose of the Crown?

Presenters: Roya Nikkhah, royal editor for The Sunday Times, and Kate Mansey, royal editor of The Times

Contributor: Michael Binyon, Leader writer for The Times

Producer: Robert Wallace

Editor: Stephen Titherington

Photo: Getty Images

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