Category Archives: Royal History

New Canadian Encyclopedia Article: Princess Louise Margaret, Duchess of Connaught

by CarolynHarris | Leave a comment

My new article in the Historica Canada Canadiana Encyclopedia is about Princess Louise Margaret Alexandra Victoria Agnes of Prussia, Duchess of Connaught and Strathearn, vice-regal consort of Canada (1911–1916) and philanthropist. The Duchess of Connaught sponsored Red Cross hospitals for the Canadian Expeditionary Force during the First World War. The Duchess also sponsored art exhibitions in Canada and supported the work of Canadian artists.

Click here to read “Princess Louise Margaret, Duchess of Connaught” in the Canadian Encyclopedia

I have also written articles for the Canadian Encyclopedia about Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught, Governor General of Canada from 1911 to 1916 as well as the Duke and Duchess of Connaught’s younger daughter, Princess Patricia of Connaught.

New Canadian Encyclopedia Article: Evelyn Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire

by CarolynHarris | Leave a comment

My latest article in the Canadian Encyclopedia is about Evelyn Emily Mary Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire, vice-regal consort of Canada (1916–21) and Mistress of the Robes to Queen Mary (1910–16 and 1921–53). The Duchess of Devonshire resided in Canada from 1883 to 1888 when her father, Lord Lansdowne served as Governor General then returned to Canada as viceregal consort during the First World War. The Duchess of Devonshire traveled extensively in Canada and supported wartime charities.

Click here to read Evelyn Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire in the Canadian Encyclopedia

CBC News Interview: How the royal baby name could mix the trendy and the traditional

by CarolynHarris | Leave a comment

I discussed possible names for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s baby with Janet Davison for The CBC Royal Fascinator newsletter. Here’s an excerpt from the interview:

“There may be opportunities for one of the middle names … to be more unique, but I think the name chosen will be somewhere between a traditional royal name and a very trendy name,” said Harris. “This royal baby is seventh in line to the throne, but is still in the top 10 at this time in the line of succession.”

Click here to read “Victoria? James? Or Kylie? How the royal baby name could mix the trendy and the traditional” in The CBC Royal Fascinator newsletter

Raising Royalty: 1000 Years of Royal Parenting featured in Town and Country Magazine

by CarolynHarris | Leave a comment

My book, Raising Royalty: 1000 Years of Royal Parenting has been featured in Town and Country Magazine as one of the best books about Queen Victoria. I’m honoured to be on such an impressive list that includes Queen Victoria: 24 Days That Changed Her Life by Lucy Worsley, Serving Victoria by Kate Hubbard, Becoming Queen Victoria by Kate Williams and Victoria the Queen by Julia Baird

Click here to read The Best Books about Queen Victoria in Town and Country Magazine

CBC News Interview: Why This Crown Prince Came to Canada

by CarolynHarris | Leave a comment

I was interviewed by Janet Davison at CBC News for this week’s The Royal Fascinator newsletter. The newsletter discusses Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark’s visit to Canada and the interest in the Duke and Duchess of Sussex becoming parents this Spring. The royal baby will be seventh in line to the throne and I discussed how press attention toward junior members of the royal family changes over time.

Click here to read “Why this crown prince came to Canada” in The CBC Royal Fascinator newsletter

Today Interview: Where does Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s baby fall in line to the British throne?

by CarolynHarris | Leave a comment

I discussed the royal succession with Eun Kim at Today.com, including the 1701 Act of Settlement, 21st century reforms and the place that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s baby will occupy in the line of succession. As 7th in line to the throne, the royal baby is unlikely to ever become King or Queen but royalty born 7th in line to the throne have pursued a variety of interesting careers.

Click here to read my interview with Today.com “Where does Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s baby fall in line to the British throne?”

For more about royal children born 7th in line to the throne, click here to read my article in the BBC History Magazine “7 royal babies who were once 7th in line to the throne.”

CBC News Interview: The Royal Fascinator newsletter

by CarolynHarris | Leave a comment

I am quoted in the final section of this week’s CBC Royal Fascinator newsletter, discussing Princess Patricia of Connaught’s time in Canada. Like Prince Harry and Meghan Markle (now the Duke and Duchess of Sussex), Princess Patricia and her husband Sir Alexander Ramsay enjoyed a royal romance that unfolded partly in Canada.

Click here to read “The Royal Fascinator: ‘Ripped up the royal rule book’: How Meghan is making waves.”

For more about Princess Patricia of Connaught, see my article in the Historica Canada Canadian Encyclopedia

Marie Antoinette and the French Revolution: My Spring 2019 course at the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies

by CarolynHarris | Leave a comment

 I will be teaching an eight week course about Queen Marie Antoinette and the French Revolution at the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies on Tuesdays in March-April 2019. Click here for more information and to register.

More than 200 years after her execution, Queen Marie Antoinette is still one of the most famous and controversial figures in European history. In late 18th-century France, her reputation influenced debates about the role of women in politics, their families and the arts. Austrian-born, her position at the top of French society fuelled criticism of the monarchy and contributed to the outbreak of the French Revolution in 1789. Her influence on popular culture continues today.

  • Discover the real Queen Marie Antoinette behind centuries of myths in popular culture.
  • Trace the reasons for her controversial reputation.
  • Explore the clashes in the politics, culture and society of royal and revolutionary France.
  • Look behind the legend and examine the controversial queen’s impact on politics, culture and society.

Click here for more information and to register.

Click here to purchase my book Queenship and Revolution in Early Modern Europe: Henrietta Maria and Marie Antoinette

Royal Studies Journal Interview: Canadian Women’s Responses to Royal Tours

by CarolynHarris | Leave a comment

I discussed Canadian Women’s Responses to Royal Tours from the Eighteenth Century to the present with the Royal Studies Journal, expanding on my article on the same topic that was published in the journal last year. In the interview, I discuss a variety of themes including the role of royal women as patrons of philanthropic endeavours benefiting women’s education, health and endeavours, changing views of women’s suffrage over the course of the 19th century, and the popular perception of Queen Victoria’s daughter Princess Louise as viceregal consort of Canada.

Click here to read “Interview with Carolyn Harris” in the Royal Studies Journal

Click here to read my full article Canadian Women’s Responses to Royal Tours from the Eighteenth Century to the Present Day in the Royal Studies Journal

Call for Contributors: English Consorts: Power, Influence, Dynasty

by CarolynHarris | Leave a comment

I am pleased to announce that I will be co-editing English Consorts: Power, Influence, Dynasty, a four-volume series for Palgrave Macmillan’s “Queenship and Power” series, which aims to provide short, focused, well-researched, and refereed biographies of all of the English royal consorts since the Norman Conquest of 1066.

Edited by a team of queenship experts and historians of monarchy –  Aidan Norrie, Joanna Laynesmith, Danna Messer, Elena Woodacre and myself -each of the volumes (Volume 1: Early Medieval Consorts; Volume 2: Later Medieval Consorts; Volume 3: Tudor and Stuart Consorts; Volume 4: Hanoverian to Windsor Consorts) will include biographical essays, as well as commissioned essays from leading experts on various thematic topics.

Click here for more information and the Call for Contributors