Rex Factor

In the first of two episodes, we do a full episode just looking at the life and consortship of Prince Albert, husband to Queen Victoria, with a full review episode to come next time. One of the most famous names in British royal history, Albert has perhaps been overshadowed by the extensive memorialisation undertaken by Victoria after his death, so we put the realm man centre stage: how did he come to marry Victoria, what was his role as consort and was it really such a great romance? Head to https://www.patreon.com/rexfactor for ad-free episode and lots of bonus content. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We are off for Easter for a couple of weeks before getting back to Prince Albert, so this week we're doing a feed swap with the History Daily Podcast, which releases c. 15 minute episodes every weekday covering an event in history. We are showcasing two of their episodes which should hopefully be of interest to Rex Factor Listeners: the jousting injury that changed the course of Henry VIII's life and reign, and the death of Elizabeth I and the end of the Tudor dynasty. (Apologies, this episode should have come out on the 5th of April but some reason got stuck in drafts and didn't release!) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We speak to the historian Dr Linda Porter about some of the most notable mistresses of Charles II (Lucy Walter, Barbara Villiers, Frances Stuart, Nell Gwynn, Hortense Mancini), discussing why we know so much about them, what they tell us about Charles and how this affected his wife and queen, Catherine of Braganza. Sign up for bonus content (including ad-free episodes and hundreds of Patreon-exclusive bonus episodes) at https://www.patreon.com/rexfactor For all our links and more information, go to https://www.rexfactorpodcast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Adelaide is probably one of the least famous of Britain's consorts, wife of William IV. A very different character to her predecessor, Queen Caroline, Adelaide was quiet and kind but faced the challenge of an eccentric and uncouth husband in William and a febrile political atmosphere with agitation for reform. Will slow and steady win the race? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If Ali still had his scandal bell, this episode might break it! It's Caroline of Brunswick this week, consort to George IV despite his spending their entire marriage trying to prevent that eventuality. A poorly matched couple, Caroline lived life according to her own rules, creating scandal in England and then in European exile before returning for a grand battle as George tried to deny her her position as Queen. It certainly made an impression, but will it deserve the Rex Factor? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices