New Review of Hanoverian to Windsor Consorts: Power, Influence, and Dynasty in The Royal Studies Journal

Hanoverian to Windsor Consorts: Power, Influence, and Dynasty, co-edited by Aidan Norrie, Carolyn Harris, J.L. Laynesmith, Danna R. Messer and Elena Woodacre has been reviewed by Amy-Jo Humphries at the University of Liverpool in The Royal Studies Journal.


“As well as the introductory and concluding chapters, Carolyn Harris provides vital contextual chapters for each section that highlights the similarities and differences between each consort and emphasises the value of bringing these individuals together in one volume…Carolyn Harris’s final chapter then looks to the present and future by drawing on the legacies of previous consorts to contextualise the roles of Camilla Shand and Catherine Middleton. The inclusion of the latter, in anticipation of her future role as queen consort, is welcome and will hopefully serve as a basis for future academic study. This collection builds a clear picture of the changes that have occurred within the monarchy since the eighteenth-century. It is a highly valuable collection, one which has broken ground for future research in eminently interesting and often understudied consorts.”

Click here to read the review of Hanoverian to Windsor Consorts: Power, Influence and Dynasty in the Royal Studies Journal.

CBC Radio Interview: Portrait in Time

On May 24 (Queen Victoria’s birthday), I discussed the recent royal portraits of King Charles III and the Princess of Wales with 15 CBC radio stations from coast to coast to coast!

Here is my conversation with CBC Radio Whitehorse, Yukon. Click here to listen to Portrait in Time

CBC News Network’s Linda Ward speaks with royal expert Carolyn Harris

On Victoria Day weekend, I discussed King Charles III and his sons with Linda Ward on the CBC News Network comparing King Charles III’s reign with the reign of Queen Victoria’s eldest son, King Edward VII.

Click here to watch “CBC News Network’s Linda Ward speaks with royal expert Carolyn Harris”

Toronto Star Interview: What will it take to convince us Kate Middleton is OK?

I discussed the Princess of Wales and royalty in the social media age, as well as public perceptions of Queen Victoria, with Alex Boyd from the Toronto Star

Click here to read “What will it take to convince us Kate Middleton is OK?” in the Toronto Star

CBC News Interview: The Kate photo scandal has tested the public’s trust. How do the Royals get it back?

I discussed the Princess of Wales and the public image of the monarchy from Queen Victoria’s reign to the present with Janet Davison at CBC News.

Click here to read “The Kate photo scandal has tested the public’s trust. How do the Royals get it back?” at CBC News

January-March 2024 Online Course for Seniors: Royal Parenting from Medieval Times to Modern Times

I will be offering an online course for seniors about Royal Parenting from Medieval Times to Modern Times for Etobicoke Learning Unlimited in January-March 2024.

Click here for more information and to register.

For more about the history of Royal Parenting, read my book, Raising Royalty: 1000 Years of Royal Parenting (Dundurn Press: 2017)

Friday October 13 Toronto Public Library Lecture: A History of Royal Weddings from Victoria and Albert to Harry and Meghan

I will be delivering an evening lecture (7pm) at North York Central Library in Toronto on Friday October 13 about the history of royal weddings from Victoria and Albert to Harry and Meghan! All are welcome.

Click here for more information!

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

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

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

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