New Canadian Encyclopedia Article: Evelyn Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire

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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

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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

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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

In Style Interview: Will Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Give Their Baby a Traditional Royal Name?

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I discussed royal baby names with Isabel Jones at In Style. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s baby will be 7th in line to the throne and the last couple of royal children born 7th in the line of succession have received traditional names but are not named after past kings and queens. The royal baby may therefore receive a name that is somewhere between a well known royal name and the more trendy names found further down the line of succession.

Click here to read “Will Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Give Their Baby a Traditional Royal Name?” at InStyle

New Canadian Encyclopedia Article: Viscount Byng of Vimy

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My latest article in the Historica Canada Canadian Encyclopedia is about Field Marshall Julian Hedworth George Byng, 1st Viscount Byng of Vimy, Commander of the Canadian Corps from 1915 to 1917 and Governor General of Canada from 1921 to 1926. Byng led the Canadian Corps to victory at the Battle of Vimy Ridge during the First World War. As governor general, he is best known for his role in the King-Byng Affair, when he formally refused Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King’s advice to dissolve Parliament and call a federal election. 

Click here to read Viscount Byng of Vimy in the Canadian Encyclopedia

CBC News Interview: Why This Crown Prince Came to Canada

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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

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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

New Canadian Encyclopedia Article: Lady Byng of Vimy

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My latest article in the Canadian Encyclopedia is about Marie Evelyn Byng, Viscountess Byng of Vimy, viceregal consort of Canada (1921–26) and author.

Lady Byng donated the Lady Byng Trophy for good sportsmanship to the National Hockey League (NHL) in 1925 (it was renamed the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy after her death in 1949). She returned to Canada during the Second World War and wrote about her impressions of the country in her 1945 memoir, Up the Stream of Time. 

Click here to read “Lady Byng of Vimy” 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

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 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