Author Archives: CarolynHarris

October-November 2023 University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies Online Course: Marie Antoinette and the French Revolution

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I will be teaching an online course about Marie Antoinette and the French Revolution at the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies on Wednesday evenings in October-November 2023. Click here for more information and to register!

ABOUT THIS COURSE

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.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN

  • 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.

CBC News Interview: Royal diplomacy hits the world stage on 2 fronts — Charles in France and William in New York

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I discussed the state visit to France by King Charles III and Queen Camilla as well as Prince William’s visit to New York with Janet Davison at CBC News. I also discussed the recent podcast episode about the royal family’s rugby patronages, featuring William and Catherine, Prince and Princess of Wales and Princess Anne.

Click here to read “Royal diplomacy hits the world stage on 2 fronts — Charles in France and William in New York” in the CBC News Royal Fascinator newsletter.

New Canadian Encyclopedia Article: Frances Anne Hopkins

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My new article in the Canadian Encyclopedia is about Frances Anne Hopkins, an artist who sketched and painted Canadian landscapes. Her most famous paintings, including Shooting the Rapids and Canoes in a Fog, Lake Superior, depict long-distance canoe voyages undertaken by the Hudson’s Bay Company in the 1860s.

Click here to read my article about Frances Anne Hopkins in the Historica Canada Canadian Encyclopedia.

New Monocle Radio Interview:  King Charles tries to repair the Entente Cordiale on his state visit to Paris. 

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Along with historians Sarah Gristwood and Coryne Hall, I discussed the history of the relationship between the United Kingdom and France, as well the significance of the Palace of Versailles, in an interview with Isabella Jewell at Monocle Radio.

Click here to listen to “King Charles tries to repair the Entente Cordiale on his state visit to Paris” in the last eight minutes of the September 20, 2023 edition of The Monocle Daily.

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

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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

University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies Lecture: Royalty and Popular Culture: Fact, Fiction and the Crown

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I will be delivering a lecture on Royalty and Popular Culture: Fact, Fiction and the Crown, examining portrayals of the monarchy in historical films, plays and novels as part of the University Lecture series at the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies. I will be speaking in Oakville on October 2, Markham on October 5 and Toronto on November 3.

Click here for more information about the University Lecture Series in Oakville, Markham and Toronto in Fall 2023

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

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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

New Times Interview: What do the Commonwealth countries really think of King Charles?

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September 8th, 2023 is the one year anniversary of the death of Queen Elizabeth II and the accession of King Charles III. I discussed King Charles III, Canada and the Monarchy with Kieran Southern at The Times

Click here to read What do the Commonwealth countries really think of King Charles?

New Canadian Press Interview: ‘Low-key’ King Charles focused on Indigenous reconciliation in first year on the throne

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I discussed perceptions of King Charles III in Canada during the first year of his reign and the impact of royal tours on Canadian popular opinions of the monarchy with Morgan Lowrie at the Canadian Press.

Click here to read “‘Low-key’ King Charles focused on Indigenous reconciliation in first year on throne”

New Canadian Encyclopedia Article: Margaret MacMillan

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My new article in the Canadian Encyclopedia is about Margaret MacMillan, professor emerita of history at the University of Toronto and international history at the University of Oxford. Her bestselling 2001 book, Paris 1919, examines the lasting impact of the Paris Peace Conference at the end of the First World War. She continues to write about the role of war and peacemaking on human society. Her recent books include The War That Ended Peace (2013), History’s People: Personalities and the Past (2015) and War: How Conflict Shaped Us (2020)

Click here to read my new article in The Canadian Encyclopedia about Margaret MacMillan