My latest article in the Historica Canada Canadian Encyclopedia is a short biography of Lord Stanley, Governor General of Canada from 1888 to 1893. In 1892, Stanley donated the Stanley Cup, the oldest professional sports championship trophy in North America, which is awarded to the winning team of the National Hockey League (NHL) each year.
Click here to read my article about Lord Stanley in the Canadian Encyclopedia
I discussed the future of the royal family and Commonwealth with Janet Davison at CBC News. The departure of Harry and Meghan, Duke and Duchess of Sussex from public engagements as senior members of the royal family will result in fewer Commonwealth tours in future years, which may impact the relationship between the royal family and Commonwealth.
I discussed Queen Elizabeth II’s younger and lesser known grandchildren in a series of interviews with Meghan Collie at Global News. We discussed whether Princess Beatrice’s wedding will result in a change to her title and why the Queen’s two youngest grandchildren, Lady Louise and James, Viscount Severn are so little known to the public, especially outside the United Kingdom.
I discussed the future of the monarchy in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth and the impact of Harry and Meghan, Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepping back from royal duties with Michelle Ruiz at Vanity Fair.
I will be teaching an eight week Tuesday evening course in March-April 2020 about Peter the Great and the Building of Saint Petersburg at the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies. Click here for more information and to register.
When Peter became czar in 1682, Europe was foreign to Russia, an insular and tradition-bound nation. The West fascinated Peter, and he was determined to transform Russia into a great European power. Discover the traditional Russia of Peter’s childhood, his Grand Tour of Europe and his subsequent dream of building St. Petersburg, a new city to match his vision of the country. With images of the city and accounts of his cruel drive to create it, we’ll see how the city emerged as a symbol of his power and of Russia’s hopes.
I discussed the future of The Crown series on Netflix with Janet Davison for the CBC News Royal Fascinator newsletter. Peter Morgan, the creator of the hit series, has announced that there will be only 5 seasons rather than 6. Since each season dramatizes a decade or less of the lives of Queen Elizabeth II, her family and her Prime Ministers, it is unlikely that the program will cover events in the 21st century. This week’s Royal Fascinator newsletter also discusses the future of the royal family in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth after Harry and Meghan’s decision to step back from royal duties and a royal scandal in Luxembourg.
Queen Elizabeth II’s granddaughter, Princess Beatrice of York, will marry Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi on May 29, 2020 in the Chapel Royal of St. James’s Palace. The Chapel Royal has not been a venue for royal weddings in more than 100 years but was the setting of important historical royal weddings including Queen Victoria and Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha in 1840 and the future King George V and Queen Mary in 1893. I discussed Princess Beatrice with Meghan Collie at Global News.
I discussed Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie with Meghan Collie at Global News, amidst speculation that their public role will expand following the departure of Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, from the United Kingdom. As Princess Beatrice is expected to get married in 2020, the two sisters have been the focus of increased media scrutiny.
I discussed the future of the royal family after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s departure for Canada with Waverly Neufeld at Huffington Post Canada. Since Harry and Meghan have decided to step back from royal duties, other members of the royal family will need to assume additional duties or the overall level of public engagements will decrease.
I discussed changing royal traditions with Olivia Bowden at Global News.
Here’s an excerpt from the interview:
“In the last few decades, members of the British Royal Family have phased out some customs and traditions that no longer meshed with the image the family wants to portray, or simply wouldn’t be seen as acceptable anymore, said Carolyn Harris, a royal historian and author based in Toronto.
Social and political factors that have shifted the world since Queen Elizabeth II took the throne have also changed the practices the family engages with, said Harris.
“The Queen’s reigned over a period of tremendous political, social and cultural change, and that has an impact on her family,” she said.”