Enjoyed the pod. I think you really gave Harry a pass for being devastatingly terrible to his family. What he did, regardless how you feel about them leaving ( and I was a fan!!), was truly gross. There’s a reason the family don’t speak to them. Their brand has become grievance. Not very uplifting. They’ve completely turned me off.
I enjoy this podcast, but I find one of the American hosts has a terribly distracting habit of laughing or giggling almost every time she opens her mouth. unfortunately, this is a nervous tic of a lot of female podcasters. This one is particularly off putting. I enjoy Katie’s perspective most of all.
The contact is fun and good, but the vocal fry is so very offputting. I just want to say to her, “you don’t have to talk that way you know!” I find it too distracting to keep going with the pod.
I recently listened to the podcast, Special Coverage: Will Prince Harry Have Regrets and I have to say I enjoyed the different perspectives of the speakers. I have listened and read the book, Spare and I have to say, it would appear a year or so later there appears to be a lot of regrets, but here are a few of my takeaways from the book and reality:
- He chose to serve in the military and when he no longer could participate as he wanted to, he resigned his commission. He was gainfully employed and chose unemployment and blamed the institution and his family
- He chose to put in his book about his interactions with Al-Quaida and now is using this as an argument as to why he needs specialized coverage when he is in the UK
- He chose to leave the institution (rightly or wrongly) and him and his wife had millions of dollars/pounds but yet cried poor while the world was struggling through a horrific pandemic
I could go on and on, but suffice it to say, I am truly empathetic and my heart goes out to him on the sadness of his childhood, his struggles with his mental health, the racism shown to his wife, his paranoia, but here in America we are truly so over this storyline. As a second generation veteran and the mother of two veterans, I have been truly inspired by his work with the Invictus Games, but it seems that he has forgotten that he would not even have this if it was not for the institution. It is time that he understands the he reaps what he sows from this point forward.
This review is really mostly about the episode regarding Meghan Markle and racism. That episode really soured my view of the show. To frame the Queen’s response to racism allegations as “brilliant” is just awful. Having one person of color speak as a guest does not save the episode from it’s own racial blindness. Praising the Queen for saying Meghan and Harry’s perception was not remembered correctly glaringly shows the hosts own white privilege. Do not try to tell a person of color that their perception of racism is mistaken when you are coming from a place of white privilege.
The subject matter is the Royals, whose life has been manufactured since the beginning. Listening is entertaining, but I expected much better quality coming from such a respected media as Vanity Fair is, also I felt physically uncomfortable listening to the vocal fry of some of the hosts, I wanted to clear my throat all the time!. That way of speaking is not professional, and sometimes one can’t even hear what they are saying.
The UK may be in dire straights, but the royal family brings in a lot more than they spend. Kate and William work themselves to death serving, and to hear these podcasters say otherwise is just nonsense, and only serves to develop ill will.
C’mon. Charles is petty. He could have had the Sussexes at the coronation, had he ONLY not chosen Prince Archie’s BIRTHDAY for the big event. Seriously. Petty. Is. KCIII.
I love VF, and I used to love watching the Royals wearing jewels and fancy dresses. The nastiness of the last few years really took the shine off that nest of vipers!
Erin is the best part of this podcast, bringing a very American objectivity to the complicated story of Prince Harry’s break from the BRF. There were wrongs done on both sides, and her reporting reflects that.
But Katie Nicholl, ever loyal to the royals, is incapable of giving the poor guy a break! We get that your job is to be a shill for the royal family, but they aren’t perfect and blameless, and Meghan Markle and her crappy mess of a family didn’t cause the Windsors’ problems. I thought it was great that he could attend the Coronation. Let sleeping dogs lie!
This was promised in the first episode. Now all this is a forum for Buckingham Palace propaganda. Katie Nichols turns everything into “the right decision “ for the royals. Ok they are perfect let’s move on and learn about the Russian Dynasty. Done.with.Windsors.
I enjoy listening to the podcast and feel that overall the hosts do a decent job of being fair to all sides, however, regarding the coronation, I feel it was very nice of the king to even invite Harry and Megan. The two of them have done nothing but bad mouth the royal family, been caught in numerous lies and simply don’t exhibit the emotional intelligence that individuals in positions of leadership need. I am still waiting to see their “life of service” as all they have done for over 3 years is profit off of using the titles given to them from the family and “institution” they claim is awful. In my opinion the Sussex’s only want to be associated with the royal family to keep up public interest in them. I’m sure King Charles loves his son, but that doesn’t mean he should accept his and his wife’s behavior and try to involve them. I say it’s time to completely cut them loose. Overall I think Charles will be a good king and has made a lot of strides in modernizing the monarchy and brings important issues to light. He had a strong support in the Wales’ and the Edinburgh’s.
Used to enjoy this podcast more but lately it seems like Erin is president of the Sussex fan club and it’s harder to get a non biased point of view from her.
While they exhibited that bias towards the monarchy throughout the season, it was way more evident in the last few episodes. Not really sure why you wouldn’t try to appear unbiased but it is vanity fair so that should explain everything you need to know
I had high hopes for this podcast being it was from Vanity Fair. This was very frustrating to listen to. I was excited about the content, but if I had to listen to Erin Vanderhoof tell us how she was feeling or what she thought one more I was going to hate myself for wasting my time. Just the facts would have made this Podcast great. A huge waste of time. I will find another podcast to listen to about the royals. I have never written a good, bad or indifferent review on a podcast before. I feel so strongly about his one.
This podcast used to be interesting - a historical look at the monarchy. But the hosts - especially Katie Nichol - seem to be desperate for the firm to like them. There is little to no valid criticism of the monarchy, even in the face of multiple countries looking to break ties. And after Prince Harry exposed the secret relationship between the royal Rota and the firm, it’s so clearly obvious that the hosts don’t want to upset Charles and Camilla. Perhaps Vanity Fair should reevaluate their reporting on the British monarchy and on the relationship these hosts have with the firm.
I really like this podcast a lot. Great hosts who are interesting and bring thoughtful insights into the subject. There are some dreadful podcasts on the Royals and this is my top pick. Hope they keep putting out regular content and as long as they do I will continue to listen!
I can’t deny that I enjoy this podcast, there’s a lot of really interesting stuff in these, particularly the early podcasts. I don’t feel like this is an objective portrayal of the Royals AT ALL though.. the British journalist is VERY pro-royal and has a very traditional view of them. You can tell she really doesn’t like the Sussexes. There are times that I just roll my eyes because it sounds like she is on the Palace’s payroll. I think this bias is more clear on the later episodes and does make the podcast less enjoyable than it was earlier on.
I really appreciate Katie’s balanced insight to the Royals. She is fair and reasonable! Erin is the opposite. A Sussex Stan with the most irritating vocal fry. Replace Erin (or get her some voice lessons) and this would be a fantastic podcast!
Good for people who think the Sun etc are real journalists. Kind of embarrassing for both of them if they want to be real media people but bless their hearts for giving it their best! Yikes!
I keep listening, but I’m disappointed by how biased this podcast has become (I feel like it’s getting worse in this regard). Katie Nicholl has been a royal reporter for a long time, but I still can’t get over how they are ALWAYS defending and giving the benefit of the doubt to the royal family and just blatantly criticizing Harry and Meghan. Definitely no balance in that regard. Erin used to push back a bit and give a more American POV, but really doesn’t anymore. There’s room for a bit more introspection about the Firm and how they can improve and modernize. And dare I say, atone?
It really feels like Katie wants to gossip and make snide, passive aggressive remarks, while Erin is trying to actually have a conversation. Weird vibe.
The information is interesting but the delivery is disappointing. Katie is such a sycophant for that royals that it is hard to accept her viewpoint as “journalism.”
This podcast is not for anyone who is looking for a thoughtful, nuanced discussion about how the Monarchy has and could continue to acknowledge and atone for its imperial past and the generational violence it caused to ripple across the globe.
It’s fine if you’re only really interested in “elevated” celebrity gossip though.
I agree that Nicholls is obviously biased—I’d say desperately so, clinging to the monarchy’s preservation and image. I imagine she’s tricky to host with and maintain an honest discussion/podcast.
I’m surprised how biased this podcast is. Putting suppositions as fact is problematic. The British press also pays the “paps”, so they really are one in the same. Demand begets supply.
Katie Nicholl is no doubt very knowledgeable about the Royal Family but she also comes across incredibly biased. I think it’s great for podcasters to have opinions but after listening to the episode discussing Harry’s book, she is so clearly against Harry. Quite a bit of harsh criticism toward him while very wishy washy toward the institution needing to take responsibility. I agree with a lot but then she inserts patronizing comments like “living in there Monteceito mansion.”
The people who should have regrets are those who’ve behaved badly—Charles, Camilla, William, Kate, etc. Toxic is an understatement to describe them throwing their own family members under the bus. Charles being head of the Church is a joke; apparently, when they attend church, they don’t listen to the message and carry it in their daily lives. They need intensive family therapy to function better. So happy for Harry and Meghan who have gotten professional help and hopefully continue to do so and walk the walk of mental health.
This podcast definitely starts out strong and insightful. But as of recently, the British one…Katie I think, her biases really come through and it’s just hard to have a balanced episode between the two hosts. Katie seems more concerned with protecting her status as part of the media / preserve potential future access. All of her takes in the episode discussing “Spare” were just so tone deaf. I was taken aback, but I guess truly I shouldn’t have been given her background.
The Brit sounds professional and seems to know a great deal about the subject matter. The American sounds like a too-confident 12-year-old who’s dad produces the podcast and thus gets to sit in and annoy everyone.
I love (insert sarcasm) privileged, white women in the US drool all over Harry and Meghan as if their taking the “right” side. I’m also an American, but I’m
a BIOPC, who thinks H/M have done more harm than good on BOTH sides and of the pond. The two stars are for Katie Nicholl. While I don’t always agree with her I appreciate her actual expertise as opposed to standard American stance.
Katie Nicholl provides nuanced and interesting insight. She comes across as knowledgable and has first hand account from her experiences in the UK. The American co-host, offers her opinion but doesn’t offer any facts, insight or context. Anyone can offer an opinion, what qualifies her to comment on this topic?
Katie Nicholl is fantastic - so articulate and informed. I don’t know why she gets such a weak co-host as Erin vanderhof. Erin talks like a 12 year old valley girl - has little to nothing factual to add of value. She giggled as she said the emotion of the queens death had hit her - what? Why are u giggling as U say it? SO immature. Also I think Erin is way off the mark in what most people in the U think of Spare. People are sick of the one-sided stories and complaints. the bridesmaid story is ridiculous and Kate had just given birth weeks before to her third child in 5 years. Of course Harry doesn’t mention that. I’m sure that wrangling a crying 3 year old to yet another dress fitting while juggling breast feeding , sleeplessness was working her last nerve. No one seems to be asking WHY in a wedding of this stature - with all the staff and resources - were the dresses still so wrong FOUR days before the wedding?
I’ve listened since it started but now unfollowing. Both hosts always contradict themselves. Say they support certain members and then bash the next sentence. Made me roll my eyes when the British host couldn’t understand how the royal fam isn’t headline news every day in the US media. Or when she defends the British press and says Harry is wrong about them. Laughable.
Unfortunately while listening to the latest episode on Prince Harry’s book Spare, the conflict of interest on the Katie’s part became abundantly clear. She wrote (what I’m assuming are) unauthorized biographies of princes William and Harry. She’s the very press Harry called out in his book and her dissatisfaction of that was very apparent in this episode. She was not able to be subjective on this matter. I was happy that Erin provided a rebuttal to her several times.
