Professor Suzannah Lipscomb looks at a history of royal scandal, exploring the roles the press, parliament and public have played over the centuries. The first episode focuses on stories of out-of-control spending, from Henry VIII's Field of Cloth of Gold to the extraordinary debt that George IV accrued
Professor Suzannah Lipscomb discovers the marriage scandal that put a royal in the witness box. She also investigates why Charles II was named 'the merry monarch' and uncovers a sex scandal involving a prince and a brothel.
Suzannah Lipscomb investigates some of the most notorious cold cases involving royals from the past. Did Queen Victoria's uncle murder his valet? And was our first Georgian king really involved in the mysterious disappearance of a Swedish count?
Dr Nicola Clark, Dr Katie Carpenter, Dr Alexandra Loske and journalist Stephen Bates help Suzannah Lipscomb unpack the stories of how royal marriages across the centuries have proved to be scandalous and intriguing. From the marriage that was deemed so wrong it caused George III to write a new law, to the first 'People's Princess' - Queen Caroline - who was put on trial by her husband George IV, and more recently Princess Margaret and her relationship with Peter Townsend
Was the infamous disappearance of the Princes in the Tower a murder, or an attempt to discredit an overthrown king? And why was a bloody murder carried out in a Scottish royal palace?
Professor Suzannah Lipscomb looks into four sex scandals that dragged the reputations of certain historical royals through the gutter. She explores how rumours of sexual indiscretions were used to target a formidable medieval queen and still follow her centuries on. Plus, Suzannah seeks to find out if 13-year-old King James VI of Scotland was groomed by his 37-year-old uncle, Esme Stewart.
Suzannah Lipscomb explores the long and complex connection between British royalty and witchcraft, and how Elizabeth I tried to predict the future.
Professor Suzannah Lipscomb delves deep into how, over centuries, members of the British royal family have been both the victims and the perpetrators of criminal acts. She explores how Henry VIII and his ministers managed to manipulate the law and convict two of his wives of treason, which led to their executions.
Suzannah Lipscomb explores some shocking incidents of epic royal spending. She examines how Queen Elizabeth I insisted on taking her whole court, and most of her servants, with her on tours of her kingdom, despite the huge expense. Suzannah also investigates why in 1821 the coronation of King George IV was so expensive that it put an end to the 1000-year tradition of lavish post coronation feasts.
Prof Suzannah Lipscomb uncovers some scandalous historic royal affairs that shocked the public at the time, or that were hidden away to avoid an outcry.
