Winter 2022 Online Course: Behind the Crown: The Monarchy from Victoria to Queen Elizabeth II

My new eight week online course at the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies starts Wednesday January 12, 2022. Click here for more information and to register.

ABOUT THIS COURSE

The year 2022 marks Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee, the 70th anniversary of her accession to the throne. It’s an opportunity to look back on the social, political and cultural changes during her long reign.  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.  

ABC News Australia Interview: Queen Elizabeth II said 1992 was her ‘annus horribilis’, or horrible year. But could this year have rivalled it?

I compared popular perceptions of Queen Elizabeth II and the monarchy in 1992 – the year the Queen considered to be her annus horribilus – and 2021 in an interview with ABC News Australia

Click here to read Queen Elizabeth II said 1992 was her ‘annus horribilis’, or horrible year. But could this year have rivalled it?

People Magazine Interview: Inside The Secret Life of Royal Nannies

I discussed royal nannies during the lifetime of Queen Elizabeth II with Philip Boucher at People Magazine, including their roles and responsibilities in the royal household and how they are recommended to royal parents.

Click here to read The Secret Life of Royal Nannies in People Magazine

CJAD 800 Montreal Radio Interview: A majority of Canadians want to ditch the monarchy. Can this be done?

I discussed popular perceptions of the monarchy in Canada and the place of the monarchy in the Canadian constitution on the Elias Makos show on CJAD 800. Since Barbados transitioned from constitutional monarchy to republic in the past month, there has been discussion and debate concerning Canada’s relationship with the monarchy.

Click here to listen to A majority of Canadians want to ditch the monarchy. Can this be done?

CBC News Interview: Preparing to do more: Barbados visit reflects evolving role of Prince Charles in royal transition

I discussed the Prince of Wales, the emergence of a republic in Barbados and the monarchy in transition with Janet Davison at CBC News. We also discussed the upcoming royal Christmas and Queen Elizabeth II’s close ties to her extended family.

Click here to read Preparing to do more: Barbados visit reflects evolving role of Prince Charles in royal transition in the CBC News Royal Fascinator Newsletter

CBC News Interview: Barbados just got rid of the Queen — should Canada follow suit?

I discussed the future of the monarchy in Canada with Jackson Weaver at CBC News, comparing the differences between Barbados, which became a republic at the end of November following a parliamentary vote, and Canada, where changes to the office of the Queen would require the consent of all ten provinces.

Click here to read Barbados just got rid of the Queen — should Canada follow suit? at CBC News

New Book Review in H-Russia: Harris on Bushkovitch, ‘Succession to the Throne in Early Modern Russia: The Transfer of Power 1450-1725’

I reviewed the new book Succession to the Throne in Early Modern Russia: The Transfer of Power 1450-1725 by Paul Bushkovitch for H-Russia

Click here to read Harris on Bushkovitch, ‘Succession to the Throne in Early Modern Russia: The Transfer of Power 1450-1725’ at H-Russia

CBC News Interview: Contradictions, charisma and a well-known story: Why it’s so hard to become Diana on screen

I discussed the challenges faced by filmmakers and actresses portraying Diana in films dramatizing her life and legacy in an interview with Janet Davison for the CBC Royal Fascinator newsletter.

Click here to read “Contradictions, charisma and a well-known story: Why it’s so hard to become Diana on screen” at CBC News