The Subjects 15: Church, Queen Sonja and death of a pope

King Louis XIV of France is probably the most famous monarch in history. With the nickname "the Sun King", the building of Versailles, and his reputation for being absolute in his personal power. The British author and historian Philip Mansel tells us all that is to know about Louis XIV, based on his biography of the monarch "The King of the World: The Life of Louis XIV". What do you think is the most common misconception about the Sun King? Listen to this episode and find out!

Due to unforeseen events, there has not been an episode of the Subjects for a few weeks, but that is about to change! British tabloids are discussing why the Prince and Princess of Wales attended a different church service than the rest of the Royal Family, Queen Sonja of Norway was hospitalized earlier this week due to some respiratory issues, and Pope Francis passed away on Easter Monday. Who will inhabit St. Peter's chair in a few weeks time?

Another slow week in the world of royalty. The Invictus games has happened and the Danish royal couple prince Joachim and Princess Marie was there. The Duchess of Sussex has changed the name of her brand in a way that makes Ole-Jørgen and Birgit have a fit, and Queen Maxima has visited the UN in New York.

What a week. The Princess of Wales has visited a prison, and Birgit teaches Ole-Jørgen something about English titles that he has not been aware of. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are working separately, with Prince Harry opening the Invictus Games. Birgit is not impressed. And what of the new princess in Sweden?

Some things never change, even in the world of royalty. There are new developments in the Høiby-case, which are not good news for the Norwegian royal family. Princess Märtha Louise follows with yet another commercial usage of her title, which looks like a minor inconvenience compared to the prior. And who was Aga Khan IV, who passed away in Lisbon aged 88?

There is a new royal baby in the British Royal family, who both Birgit and Ole-Jørgen think have a beautiful name. The Royals of Europe have been in Poland to commemorate the 80th anniversary since the liberation of Auschwitz, and believe it or not, Princess Märtha Louise has yet again made headlines, and not of the positive kind.

January is a long month and the royals seems to think that the Christmas holiday lasts until early February. Some news has still come from the world of royalty. Princess Catherine was first to work, which Birgit would not have bet on for a thousand years, the Høiby-case has new development, and European royalty will mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.

In this second cavalcade of the year 2024, Birgit and Ole-Jørgen discusses what happened in Denmark, Swede, Belgium, Luxembourg and Great Britain. Abdications, cancer, elite schools and the perfect heir is only some of the topics discussed. And the Belgian heiress snubbed us of the photo of the year! Why, you think? Listen to the episode and find out. Have a good listen!

2024 has passed and we are all hoping for a happy new year, but what has really happened in the year that was? It was a turbulent 365 days for several of the European monarchies, as the British experiences serious illness, the Norwegian have some troublesome youth, while the Dutch welcomed the heir into official business. Ole-Jørgen and Birgit recaps the year that was in two episodes, this being the first one.

Different royal families have different traditions for Christmas. Not one celebration is the same. The Norwegian royal family's Christmas dinner is not close to the average Norwegian's, the British open presents at the same day as the rest of Europe, but not their own country, and the Dutch celebration is almost an enigma. Have a good listen!