New Canadian Encyclopedia Article: Alexander Cambridge, Earl of Athlone

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The Earl of Athlone (seated right) with the Allied leaders at the Quebec Conferences.

My new article in the Canadian Encyclopedia is about Alexander Cambridge, Earl of Athlone, Governor General of Canada from 1940 to 1946.

Athlone served as Governor General during the Second World War and hosted the Québec Conferences at La Citadelle in 1943 and 1944, where Canadian Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and American President Franklin Roosevelt met to decide Allied strategy for victory over Germany and Japan. A maternal uncle of King George VI, Athlone was the last close relative of the monarch to serve as Governor General of Canada.

Click here to read my article about Alexander Cambridge, Earl of Athlone

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New Canadian Encyclopedia Article: Prince Arthur, 1st Duke of Connaught and Strathearn

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Prince Arthur, 1st Duke of Connaught and Strathearn

My latest article in the Canadian Encyclopedia is about Queen Victoria’s 3rd son, Prince Arthur, 1st Duke of Connaught and Strathearn (1850-1942), Governor General of Canada from 1911 to 1916.

As Governor General, Connaught was involved in military recruitment and philanthropy in Canada during the First World War. He also established the Connaught Cup for marksmanship in the RCMP and made extensive renovations to Rideau Hall. His daughter, Princess Patricia, was the first honourary Colonel-in-Chief of Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry.

Click here to read Prince Arthur, 1st Duke of Connaught and Strathearn in the Canadian Encyclopedia

 

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My October-November 2017 course at the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies: Women In Power

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“Boadicea Haranguing the Britons” by John Opie

In the Fall of 2017, I will be teaching an eight week course about the history of Women in Power at the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies. Click here for more information and to register:

Time and Date:

03 Oct 2017 – 21 Nov 2017 
Tuesdays 
7:00PM – 9:00PM

Course Description:

Powerful women have presented themselves as warrior queens, rulers by divine right, wives and mothers and, most recently, as elected officials. We’ll examine the most significant female political figures in history, including Boadicea, Queen Isabella, Queen Elizabeth I, Indira Gandhi, Margaret Thatcher and Hillary Clinton. Through lively lectures and discussions, you’ll learn the story of women in political life. Why are women still underrepresented in political life? Join Carolyn Harris for a fascinating look at the often-neglected place of women in power from Cleopatra to Angela Merkel.

Learning Outcomes:

  • Survey changing attitudes toward women and political power throughout history.
  • Explore how female leaders have presented themselves to the public.
  • Understand how powerful women are portrayed in popular culture and the media.
  • Compare the experiences of female leaders around the world.
  • See how the history of women in power influences female political leadership today.

 

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CBC Interview: Meghan Markle publicly confirms she and Prince Harry are ‘in love’

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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle (photo credit: Hello! Magazine)

I discussed Prince Harry and Meghan Markle with Nicole Ireland at CBC News. In a break from royal tradition, Markle spoken openly about her relationship with Harry in an interview with Vanity Fair magazine.

I explained how Markle’s interview represents a break from royal tradition. Here’s an excerpt from my conversation with CBC News:

A public statement of any kind about romantic relationships is a departure from royal tradition, said Harris, who wrote Raising Royalty: 1000 Years of Royal Parenting.

“In the past, the palace has not confirmed who members of the royal family are dating, only engagements,” she said.

Click here to read “Meghan Markle publicly confirms she and Prince Harry are ‘in love'” at CBC.ca

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New Canadian Encyclopedia Article: John Douglas Sutherland Campbell, Marquess of Lorne

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John Campbell, , Marquess of Lorne

My latest article in the Historica Canada Canadian Encyclopedia is about the Marquess of Lorne, Governor General of Canada from 1878 to 1883.

As Governor General, Lorne founded the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts and the National Gallery of Canada and undertook extensive tours of western Canada, proposing the names Alberta and Lake Louise in honour of his wife, Princess Louise Caroline Alberta. Lorne’s patronage of Canadian artists set precedents for future Governors General and his books promoted Canadian landscapes, culture and history to a wide international audience.

Click here to read my article on John Douglas Sutherland Campbell, Marquess of Lorne in the Canadian Encyclopedia.

I have also written articles about the Marquess of Lorne’s wife, Princess Louise and mother-in-law, Queen Victoria in the Canadian Encyclopedia.

For more about the Marquess of Lorne, Princess Louise and their reception in Canada, read my chapter “Royalty at Rideau Hall: Lord Lorne, Princess Louise and the Emergence of the Canadian Crown” in Canada and the Crown: Essays on Constitutional Monarchy

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University of Toronto News Interview: Diana’s legacy, 20 years after her death

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The Prince and Princess of Wales on their wedding day in 1981

I discussed the life and legacy of Diana, Princess of Wales with University of Toronto news on the 20th anniversary of her death.

Here’s an excerpt from the interview:

How has the U.K. media been covering the anniversary of her death?

“There are two main components to British media coverage of Diana’s death: new insights about Diana’s life and legacy and reflection on the impact of Diana’s death on British society. During her lifetime, Diana was one of the most famous women in the world and spoke openly to the press about the difficulties she faced as a member of the Royal Family and during the breakdown of her marriage. The media today is therefore fascinated by new information, including new insights from her sons and the controversial tapes recorded for Diana’s voice coach.”

Click here to read the full interview: U of T expert on Diana’s legacy, 20 years after her death

I also discussed Diana’s advocacy for victims of landmines with the Kingston Whig-Standard. Click here to read the interview: Diana Advanced Land Mine Ban

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CBC and Canadian Press Interviews about Diana, Princess of Wales

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Lady Diana Spencer surrounded by photographers immediately prior to the announcement of her engagement to the Prince of Wales

I discussed the life and legacy of Diana, Princess of Wales with the CBC and the Canadian Press for the 20th anniversary of Diana’s death in 1997.

Click here to read “Canadians reflect on Princess Diana with 20th anniversary of her death nearing” in the Canadian Press

Click here to read “The Diana myth: Why she haunts us still — 20 years after her death” at CBC News. 

I will be interviewed about Diana on CBC Alberta at Noon on Thursday, August 31.

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CBC Interview: History repeating itself: How the 20th anniversary of Diana’s death put her back in the spotlight

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Diana, Princess of Wales at the Cannes film festival.

I discussed Diana, Princess of Wales with Janet Davidson at the CBC, leading up to the 20th anniversary of Diana’s death on August 31, 1997. Here’s an excerpt from the interview.

“Anniversaries of historical events often offer an opportunity to look back and reflect on them, says Carolyn Harris, a Toronto-based royal historian and author of the recently published Raising Royalty: 1,000 Years of Royal Parenting.

But Harris sees more in play here.

“It’s not simply a matter of looking back at how things were 20 years ago but that we’re seeing new perspectives on Diana’s passing, particularly the views of her sons.”

Click here to read the full article, “History repeating itself: How the 20th anniversary of Diana’s death put her back in the spotlight.”

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Nova Scotia Book Tour Dates in September

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I will be giving readings, delivering lectures and signing books in Wolfville and Halifax, Nova Scotia in September. All are welcome! Here’s the book tour schedule:

September 14, 7pm: I will be giving a reading from my new book, Raising Royalty: 1000 Years of Royal Parenting at The Box of Delight’s Bookshop in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. Book signing to follow. More information available here.

September 15, 2:30pm: I will be giving a lecture about my 2nd book, Queenship and Revolution in Early Modern Europe: Henrietta Maria and Marie Antoinette for the Early Modern Studies Program at the University of King’s College in Halifax. Signed copies of all three of my books will be available for purchase. Click here for more information.

September 16, 12pm: I will be participating in the Word on Street Halifax festival, giving a presentation about my 3rd book, Raising Royalty: 1000 Years of Royal Parenting at the Halifax Central Library. Book signing to follow. The full schedule for the festival is available here.

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Hello! Magazine Interview: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle engagement: 7 burning questions answered

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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle (photo credit: Hello! Magazine)

I discussed the protocol that would arise if Prince Harry became engaged to actress Meghan Markle in a recent interview with Hello! Magazine. The Royal Marriages act of 1772 required all descendants of King George II (with the exception of the descendants of princesses who married foreigners) to receive the permission of the monarch in order to contract a legal marriage.

Since the succession reforms of 2015, only the first six people in the line of succession require the permission of the monarch to marry. As Prince Harry is currently 5th in line to the throne, after his father Prince Charles, older brother Prince William and nephew and niece, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, he will need the permission of his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, to marry.

Click here to read “Prince Harry and Meghan Markle engagement: 7 burning questions answered” in Hello! Magazine 

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