Pod Save The Queen

Prince Harry and Meghan surprised the royal family by announcing their plans to step back from senior royal roles and be financially independent - but those plans are still not fully formed. With tensions running high and the Duchess of Sussex having already flown back to Canada to rejoin baby Archie, the Queen summoned her grandson to a summit at Sandringham with his brother Prince William and dad Prince Charles. After a day of talks, the Queen released a very personal statement to update on the progress and what lies ahead. Pod Save The Queen host Ann Gripper (@anngripper) is joined by Daily Mirror royal editor Russell Myers (@rjmyers) to reflect on the progress since the first announcement and where the royal family go from here. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

Prince Harry and wife Meghan returned from their break in Canada - and delivered the bombshell news they are stepping back as senior royals. The statement released by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex said they intended to become "financially independent" and "carve out a progressive new role" within the royal family as they balance their time between the UK and North America. Pod Save the Queen host Ann Gripper is joined by Daily Mirror royal editor Russell Myers to discuss what the announcement means for the Sussexes and for the rest of the royal family. Have your say on the episode on Instagram @podsave. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

The royal year got off to a rocky start with Prince Philip's car crash - and that was just the first of the bumps in the road. While the arrival of Prince Harry and Meghan's son Archie was a happy highlight, their struggles with dealing with their new roles, as well as the changed personal and working relationship with the Cambridges mean it has not been plain sailing. But it was Prince Andrew, and his ill-judged Newsnight interview compounding his ill-judged friendship with Jeffrey Epstein, which really rocked the boat at the end of the year. Pod Save the Queen host Ann Gripper is joined by Daily Mirror royal editor Russell Myers and Daily Mirror editor Alison Phillips to dissect a difficult year for the Queen. And photographer Ian Vogler picks his picture highlights. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

The Duchess of Cambridge has been setting style trends for years - but she seemed to up her game yet again in 2020. The Pakistan tour was a highlight in her fashion year, but there have been lots of other outings to savour too. Pod Save The Queen host Ann Gripper is joined by fashion director Rivkie Baum, stylist Megan Rees and Daily Star online lifestyle editor Sophie Roberts to discuss how Kate got it so right this year. They also look ahead to the trends we can expect to see transferred to the high street. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

The royal family have held their annual Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace - next stop Sandringham for the big day itself.  Pod Save The Queen host is joined by commentator Susie Boniface - aka FleetStreetFox - and Mirror Online lifestyle editor Zoe Forsey to discuss how the royals spend Christmas in London and Sandringham. They also look back on the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's festive documentary with Mary Berry.  For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

The new generation of royals have inspired a new generation of coverage - on social media. They have inspired blogs, Twitter accounts, Facebook groups and fan pages and Instagram feeds. Royal watchers have created their own online community - and their eagle eyes have added a new dimension for royal fans. Pod Save The Queen host @AnnGripper interviews the people behind three Twitter accounts which have added to her own enjoyment of following the royal: @japanese_ginger, @ufonomore and @whatkatewore. Join the discussion of the episode on the team's Instagram page @podsave.  For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy