Nestled in between India and China is the Kingdom of Bhutan, one of the world’s newest monarchies.

Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck is the country’s fifth king and when he became head of state in 2006 he was the world’s youngest monarch.

The King oversees a nation that measures its success with happiness of a population and is being credited with innovative ways to ensure younger people don’t emigrate.

Guests:

Tshering Tobgay, Prime Minister of Bhutan

Hosted by Daniel Rosney

Our email is: itsreigningmenpod@gmail.com

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Thanks for listening to It’s Reigning Men - a brand new podcast about royalty, royal families, and monarchs of the world.

If you enjoyed it, please tell your friends who also might be interested in Kings, Queens, power and palaces.

It would be great if you could subscribe so more episodes appear in your feed as soon as they’re ready.

Find us on social media to Direct Message us on all the usual apps. Just search ‘It’s Reigning Men’.

We're more than happy to take suggestions for a topic to be explored or to answer any questions about monarchies or specific members of royal families.

There’s also a weekly newsletter on Substack too: https://itsreigningmen.substack.com/

Speak soon.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Japan claims to have the oldest continuing monarchy in the world with an unbroken line from the same family for more than 2600 years.

But there's a succession problem in the current Japanese imperial family as Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako only have one child, Princess Aiko, and Japan forbids women from inheriting the throne.

The United Nations has suggested officials look at changing the law to make it more equal.

Up until 1947 the Emperor of Japan was seen as a divine figure on Earth and worshipped by many, but a constitution change formally declared the emperor to be human.

After Japan surrendered in World War II the role of the head of state was changed and the image the imperial household presents to the country is still struggling with traditional values versus a modern society.

Guests:

Alice Tseng, Professor of Japanese Art & Architecture at the University of Boston

Hirohito Tsuji, Specialist in the Imperial Family of Japan

Hosted by Daniel Rosney

Our email is: itsreigningmenpod@gmail.com

------------------

Thanks for listening to It’s Reigning Men - a brand new podcast about royalty, royal families, and monarchs of the world.

If you enjoyed it, please tell your friends who also might be interested in Kings, Queens, power and palaces.

It would be great if you could subscribe so more episodes appear in your feed as soon as they’re ready.

Find us on social media to Direct Message us on all the usual apps. Just search ‘It’s Reigning Men’.

We're more than happy to take suggestions for a topic to be explored or to answer any questions about monarchies or specific members of royal families.

There’s also a weekly newsletter on Substack too: https://itsreigningmen.substack.com/

Speak soon.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode contains some discussion around sexual abuse in the second half of the episode, which may not be appropriate for all.

As head of state of The Vatican City, Pope Francis is also a monarch.

He is one of a handful of elected monarchs in the world, which also include Cambodia, Malayisa and United Arab Emirates.

In this episode we look at the the Pope's role as a monarch, as well as leader of the Catholic church, and discuss the influence he has with other world leaders.

We look at how a Pope is elected in a conclave and explore the changes he's brought to the church.

This episode was recorded while Pope Francis is in hospital.

Guests:

Colleen Dulle, Inside the Vatican podcast host

Charles Collins, Managing Editor at Crux

'Inside The Vatican' podcast can be listened to here: https://www.americamagazine.org/voices/inside-vatican

Hosted by Daniel Rosney

Our email is: itsreigningmenpod@gmail.com

------------------

Thanks for listening to It’s Reigning Men - a brand new podcast about royalty, royal families, and monarchs of the world.

If you enjoyed it, please tell your friends who also might be interested in Kings, Queens, power and palaces.

It would be great if you could subscribe so more episodes appear in your feed as soon as they’re ready.

Find us on social media to Direct Message us on all the usual apps. Just search ‘It’s Reigning Men’.

We're more than happy to take suggestions for a topic to be explored or to answer any questions about monarchies or specific members of royal families.

There’s also a weekly newsletter on Substack too: https://itsreigningmen.substack.com/

Speak soon.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode contains some discussion around sexual assault allegations in the second half of the episode, which may not be appropriate for all.

The King of Norway is one of the most-popular figures in the country but recent scandals surrounding the royal family suggest support is weakening.

His daughter, Princess Märtha Louise, controversially married a self-styled shaman last year who has peddled conspiracy theories and faced a string of criminal accusations, which he denies.

Late last year Marius Borg Høiby, the step-son of Crown Prince Haakon through his wife Crown Princess Mette-Marit, was arrested following an allegation of rape, which he denies.

In this episode we look at the impact those two huge stories in Norway have had on the monarchy, and discuss a 2016 speech King Harald gave that made headlines around the world.

Plus we look at Norway's answer to The Crown, as Harold and Sonja - or The Commoner - is released on Amazon Prime, telling the story of how the now King and Queen were prevented from marrying for nearly a decade.

Guests:

Sindre Strand Offerdal, actor playing Crown Prince Harold

Ole-Jorgen Schulsrud-Hansen, historian and TV2 royal commentator

Hosted by Daniel Rosney

Our email is: itsreigningmenpod@gmail.com

The trailer for Harald and Sonja is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdvp1uKk114

------------------

Thanks for listening to It’s Reigning Men - a brand new podcast about royalty, royal families, and monarchs of the world.

If you enjoyed it, please tell your friends who also might be interested in Kings, Queens, power and palaces.

It would be great if you could subscribe so more episodes appear in your feed as soon as they’re ready.

Find us on social media to Direct Message us on all the usual apps. Just search ‘It’s Reigning Men’.

We're more than happy to take suggestions for a topic to be explored or to answer any questions about monarchies or specific members of royal families.

There’s also a weekly newsletter on Substack too: https://itsreigningmen.substack.com/

Speak soon.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This year Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg should be marking 25 years on the throne but he's announced his intention to abdicate just one day before that milestone in October.

In this episode we look at how one of the smallest, and richest, countries in the world views its monarchy and royal family.

There have been two big tests for him as head of state.

The first caused a constitutional crisis when he attempted to use his veto powers in 2008 against a euthanasia bill passed by parliament.

The second was only five years ago when a government commissioned report said the monarchy's functioning must be reformed, in terms of staff management at the Palace.

Much was made in Luxembourg of Henri's wife, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, who was responsible for much of the hiring and firing in the palace.

Has Henri managed to keep the monarchy relevant to hand down to his son Prince Guillaume in October 2025?

Guests:

Sonja Kmec, Associate professor at University of Luxembourg

Ines Kurschat, Editor-in-chief of Luxemburger Wort

Hosted by Daniel Rosney

Our email is: itsreigningmenpod@gmail.com

------------------

Thanks for listening to It’s Reigning Men - a brand new podcast about royalty, royal families, and monarchs of the world.

If you enjoyed it, please tell your friends who also might be interested in Kings, Queens, power and palaces.

It would be great if you could subscribe so more episodes appear in your feed as soon as they’re ready.

Find us on social media to Direct Message us on all the usual apps. Just search ‘It’s Reigning Men’.

We're more than happy to take suggestions for a topic to be explored or to answer any questions about monarchies or specific members of royal families.

There’s also a weekly newsletter on Substack too: https://itsreigningmen.substack.com/

Speak soon.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Most monarchs are groomed from birth as an heir but not for the Jordanian king who only discovered his fate two weeks before he inherited the throne.

Situated in "a tough neighbourhood", Jordan is not just an important player in the middle-east region - it's also essential for the West that it remains stable.

Since returning to the White House Donald Trump is demanding the country takes in more Palestinian refugees from Gaza, which Abdullah II is refusing.

The US president is also pausing foreign aid to Jordan.

We'll find out how the country is coping with an economic struggle, and learn how the Jordanian royal family are covered by the press.

Plus how a 2021 alleged coup caused international headlines as a royal family rift hit boiling point.

Guests:

Rana Sweiss, journalist

Jonathan Dagher, Reporters Without Borders

Hosted by Daniel Rosney

Our email is: itsreigningmenpod@gmail.com

------------------

Thanks for listening to It’s Reigning Men - a brand new podcast about royalty, royal families, and monarchs of the world.

If you enjoyed it, please tell your friends who also might be interested in Kings, Queens, power and palaces.

It would be great if you could subscribe so more episodes appear in your feed as soon as they’re ready.

Find us on social media to Direct Message us on all the usual apps. Just search ‘It’s Reigning Men’.

We're more than happy to take suggestions for a topic to be explored or to answer any questions about monarchies or specific members of royal families.

There’s also a weekly newsletter on Substack too: https://itsreigningmen.substack.com/

Speak soon.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Europe's longest-reigning monarch has seen the world change over the course of his reign.

A constant figure since 1973, King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden lost his remaining political power within a year or so of becoming monarch.

Has he been successful in remaining relevant as a ceremonial figure? We look at the data over 30 years to see what shape the Swedish royal family is in now.

Plus we find out what it was like filming a documentary for two years with the king.

Guests:

Daniel Jansson, SOM Institute

Karin af Klintberg, filmmaker

Hosted by Daniel Rosney

'The King' trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJ9XAevNgg0

Our email is: itsreigningmenpod@gmail.com

------------------

Thanks for listening to It’s Reigning Men - a brand new podcast about royalty, royal families, and monarchs of the world.

If you enjoyed it, please tell your friends who also might be interested in Kings, Queens, power and palaces.

It would be great if you could subscribe so more episodes appear in your feed as soon as they’re ready.

Find us on social media to Direct Message us on all the usual apps. Just search ‘It’s Reigning Men’. We're more than happy to take suggestions for a topic to be explored or to answer any questions about monarchies or specific members of royal families.

There’s also a weekly newsletter on Substack too: https://itsreigningmen.substack.com/

Speak soon.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How did the first year of King Frederik X of Denmark's reign go?

We go back to look at his mother's shock abdication, learn how he's struggled with public speaking, and discuss if he can play a role in talks over Greenland - an autonomous territory of Denmark - which Donald Trump wants to buy.

Guests:

Silla Bakalus, B.T. journalist

Lars Hovbakke Sørensen, Associate Professor at Absalon University College

Hosted by Daniel Rosney

'Kongeord' by Frederick X and Jens Anderson can be purchased online

Thanks for listening to It’s Reigning Men.

If you enjoyed it, please tell your friends who also might be interested in Kings, Queens, power and palaces.

It would be great if you could subscribe so more episodes appear in your feed as soon as they’re ready.

Find us on social media to Direct Message us on all the usual apps. Just search ‘It’s Reigning Men’. We're more than happy to take suggestions for a topic to be explored or to answer any questions about monarchies or specific members of royal families.

Our email is: itsreigningmenpod@gmail.com

There’s also a weekly newsletter on Substack too: https://itsreigningmen.substack.com/

Speak soon.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.