Fall 2023 University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies Course: Behind the Crown: The Monarchy from Victoria to Charles III

I will be teaching an eight week course on Tuesday afternoons in October-November 2023 at the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies – Behind the Crown: The Monarchy from Victoria to Charles III. Click here for more information and to register.

ABOUT THIS COURSE

The personal lives of royalty are a popular subject for fiction in novels, films and TV series but the real history is more interesting. Each generation of royalty must respond to the challenges of their times to keep the monarchy relevant and engaged with public opinion. Join Carolyn Harris, historian, commentator and author of Raising Royalty: 1000 Years of Royal Parenting for a lively discussion of the history, politics and cultural significance of the monarchy in the UK and Canada.  

Click here for more information and to register for “Behind the Crown: The Monarchy from Victoria at the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies

Metro UK Interview: Historian reveals the most popular British monarchs – and where Elizabeth II ranks

In an extended interview with Katie Boyden at Metro UK, I discussed Queen Elizabeth II’s popularity and how past monarchs were viewed – favourably and unfavourably – by the public, both during their reigns and afterward. Kings and Queens discussed in the interview include Queen Victoria and Richard III.

Click here to read “Historian reveals the most popular British monarchs – and where Elizabeth II ranks” in Metro UK

CBC News Interview: The royal highs and lows of 2022 — and a look ahead to 2023

I discussed key royal events from the year 2022 with Janet Davison from CBC News including Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee and the accession of King Charles III as well as events that will take place in 2023 such as the coronation of King Charles III.

Click here to read “The royal highs and lows of 2022 — and a look ahead to 2023” in the CBC News Royal Fascinator newsletter.

Rabble Radio Podcast Interview: Keep Calm and Carry On: Reviewing the Royals in Canada

I discussed the life and legacy of Queen Elizabeth II and popular perceptions of the royal family in Canada with Rabble Radio.

Click here to listen to Keep Calm and Carry On: Reviewing the Royals in Canada

Fall 2022 Course at the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies: Women in Power

My course about the history of Women in Power from the Classical World to the 21st Century will be offered in class at the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies on Tuesday afternoons in Fall 2022 from October 11 to November 29.

Click here for more information and to register

ABOUT THIS COURSE

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.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN

  • 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.

Click here for more information and to register

Globe and Mail Interview: When it comes to revealing books about the Royal Family, biographers have come up short on Queen Elizabeth

I discussed royal biographies and memoirs with Wendy Kaur in the Globe and Mail

For more about royal memoirs, see my recent article in Reader’s Digest Canada

New Book Chapter: Royal Tours of Canada in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth II

A Resilient Crown: Canada’s Monarchy at the Platinum Jubilee, edited by D. Michael Jackson and Christopher McCreery (Toronto: Dundurn Press, 2022) is now available for purchase. This book of essays about the Crown in Canada over the past seventy years includes a chapter that I wrote about Royal Tours of Canada in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth II.

Click here to purchase A Resilient Crown: Canada’s Monarchy at the Platinum Jubilee

New Canadian Encyclopedia Article: Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee, 2022

My new article in the Canadian Encyclopedia is about Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022 including the celebrations in the United Kingdom, Canada and other Commonwealth countries.

Click here to read Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee – 2022 in the Canadian Encyclopedia