Pod Save The Queen

The parking suspension being in place outside the Lindo Wing can only mean one thing: it's royal baby time again.  So what happens next? Daily Mirror royal correspondent Victoria Murphy has visited the hospital to check the lie of the land and tells Pod Save the Queen host Ann Gripper what we can expect.  They also discuss why the Lindo Wing is such a popular choice for mums who go private, and why the NHS would not have been practical for a royal birth.  The ins and outs of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's charity choices for their wedding giftlist are discussed - and the one big difference from William and Kate's.  There is also time to reflect on Prince Charles and Camilla's Australian visit and why they spent their wedding anniversary apart, plus Prince Phillip's recovery from hip surgery.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle missed the royal family's Easter celebrations - and William and Kate nearly missed them too.  The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were late for Sunday's church service at St George's Chapel, Windsor. The pair arrived after the Queen - a real royal no-no.  Princess Eugenie and fiance Jack Brooksbank attended the service at the chapel, which will host both their wedding in October and that of Harry and Meghan in May.  Daily Mirror royal correspondent Victoria Murphy and fashion director Amber Graafland join Pod Save The Queen host Ann Gripper to discuss all the royal Easter celebrations, a very young driver and Prince Philip's absence.  Plus they dissect the latest royal wedding details, including the announcement of the flowers and armed forces' involvement - and Andrew Morton's new biography Meghan: A Hollywood Princess.

With her third child due next month, the Duchess of Cambridge is taking a break from official duties.  And Meghan Markle raised expectations of another royal birth before too long with her comments on her visit to Northern Ireland with fiance Prince Harry. Daily Mirror royal correspondent Victoria Murphy and fashion director Amber Graafland join Pod Save The Queen host Ann Gripper to discuss the royal baby prospects, Kate's maternity fashion highlights and what the new baby might be called. Plus they reflect on how the royal family will mark Easter at Windsor, the latest royal wedding news, the design of the official royal wedding china - and Amber's unexpected encounter with the Queen.

New details of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding have been announced this week: the wedding cake baker and invitation design . With two royal weddings and a royal baby to look forward to in 2018, it is easy to forget the turmoil the royal family found itself in in the 1990s. But those events are vividly recalled by Jennie Bond, whose time as BBC royal correspondent from 1989 to 2003 took in two royal break ups and the death of Princess Diana. As a new biography of Prince Charles rakes up that difficult time, Jennie joins Pod Save The Queen host Ann Gripper to reflect on the annus horribilis of 1992, why Princess Diana still captivates - and why Camilla should be Queen. They also discuss Harry and Meghan's blending of the modern and the traditional for their big day, which royal would be best in the I'm a Celebrity jungle and how listeners can be part of a wedding gift for Prince Harry and Meghan with [The Crown From The Crowd project](https://www.crownfromthecrowd.com/) by Photobox.

Meghan Markle has completed her first official engagement with the Queen, joining the royal family for the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey.  Daily Mirror royal correspondent Victoria Murphy and fashion writer Danielle Stacey join Pod Save The Queen host Ann Gripper to discuss how it went, THAT moment when Harry made her laugh, the fashion highlights, who was made to sit further down the line and a first Commonwealth Day since Prince Philip retired.  They also debate candidates to walk Meghan down the aisle, the merits of getting your other half to teach you to drive and reflect on the Queen's official consent to the royal wedding. Plus they discuss Harry's speech about mental health, which royal events are public and why Meghan isn't at all of them.  And there's also time for Zara Phillips at the Cheltenham Festival, Prince William not going to the World Cup and the upcoming TV movie of Harry & Meghan: The Royal Love Story.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle headed to Birmingham this week as they continue their pre-wedding tour of the country.  There were hugs for schoolchildren, plenty of talk about the weather and some subtle changes to Meghan's style. Daily Mirror royal correspondent Victoria Murphy was in Birmingham and joins fashion director Amber Graafland to discuss the visit with Pod Save The Queen host Ann Gripper. Meghan's baptism and confirmation are reported to have taken place this week, and it is thought she had a pre wedding get together of friends too - so was that the hen do? Plus the team look ahead to Meghan's first official engagement with the Queen.

The new Fab Four made their official debut as Meghan Markle joined fiance Prince Harry, Prince William and wife Kate for the Royal Foundation Forum. With Meghan set to become the fourth patron as she marries into the royal family, the young royals discussed their charity initiative so far and their hopes for the future. So what will Meghan bring to the foundation's work? How did the four get on on stage? And what did we learn from the first appearance of the Fab Four? Plus we discuss royal security concerns after an envelope with white powder arrived at Kensington Palace, Kate's National Portrait Gallery work - and whether the Spice Girls are the band Meghan and Harry really, really want at their wedding.

The Queen provided a fashion first this week by joining Vogue editor Anna Wintour on the front row of London Fashion Week. And the Duchess of Cambridge and Sophie Wessex hosting a Commonwealth fashion showcase on her behalf at Buckingham Palace represented the royal family embracing the impact they already - sometimes reluctantly - have on fashion. But did Kate make the right decision when it came to her Bafta Awards dress when actresses wore black for #TimesUp? What is the latest on Meghan Markle’s wedding dress? And how did reality TV star Millie Mackintosh end up helping plan Meghan’s big day? Pod Save The Queen host Ann Gripper is joined by royal correspondent Victoria Murphy and fashion director Amber Graafland to discuss the week’s fashion talking points - plus Prince William’s motorbike escapade. And they answer readers’ questions about Harry and Meghan’s upcoming royal wedding.

Wedding pictures capture special memories of a couple's big day - but when it comes to a royal wedding, those pictures travel around the world.  Daily Mirror royal photographer Ian Vogler joins Pod Save The Queen host Ann Gripper to discuss life following the royals from behind the camera lens.  He shares his memories of covering William and Kate's wedding, looks ahead to Harry and Meghan's big day and reflects on how Meghan Markle is settling into royal life.  Plus there's the usual round-up of royal headlines.

Feminist Meghan Markle suited up with the help of Alexander McQueen for her first evening engagement alongside Prince Harry at the Endeavour Fund Awards in London last week.  Her tailored outfit caused no distractions - a sleek, polished and empowered choice, according to the Daily Mirror's fashion and beauty director Amber Graafland.  Meanwhile, pregnant Kate divided opinion in some bold, floral numbers during her tour to Sweden and Norway. We discuss where she might have gone wrong.  With the expertise of the Daily Mirror's royal correspondent Victoria Murphy, stand-in host Lucy Clarke-Billings asks how successful the Scandi trip was for Britain, what impression Charles and Camilla gave during their appearance on This Morning and how Meghan is forging her own path.  Victoria also gives her opinion on whether Sarah 'Fergie' Ferguson has really been snubbed by Prince Harry and Meghan... Plus a roundup of the latest royal news.

Prince William and Kate Middleton are on a royal tour to Sweden and Norway - but their visit is also a political one. With Brexit looming, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge represent Britain's charm offensive to Europe. But that doesn't mean the visit is all work, as they make friends with Sweden's Crown Princess Victoria and her husband Prince Daniel. Pod Save The Queen host Ann Gripper is joined by royal correspondent Victoria Murphy, who is travelling with the Cambridges, and head of politics Jason Beattie to discuss where politics and the royal family meet. How political are the royals allowed to be? How does the Queen fit in - and what does she make of her Prime Ministers? And how has William and Kate's visit to Sweden been going? Plus they round up the latest rumours about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding - including whether the bride might make a speech.

Princess Eugenie's engagement announcement adds another royal wedding to the calendar, hot on the heels of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's nuptials.  With the issue of how to pronounce Eugenie's name quickly dealt with, host Ann Gripper and Daily Mirror royal correspondent Victoria Murphy discuss Eugenie's relationship with fiance Jack Brooksbank, wedding plans, what the pair's role will be in the royal family and the unconventional relationship of Eugenie's parents Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson.  We also dissect Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's first trip to Wales, what it's like to work for the royal family as Harry and Meghan recruit staff, and how the Duchess of Cambridge's public speaking has come on from her early days as a royal.  And was Prince William trying to hide his haircut behind Harry and Meghan's Cardiff visit? Plus there's a round-up of the latest royal news.

Royal wedding dresses have set the trends for brides for years to come - and Meghan Markle's gown is set to spark a whole new wave of inspiration. With the couple promising a traditional wedding with their own spin, anticipation is building for what Meghan will wear for her marriage to Prince Harry - and which designer will create her wedding dress. So what do you wear to get married to the brother of a future king in a grand royal chapel ? Mirror fashion director Amber Graafland and fashion writer Danielle Stacey join royal correspondent Victoria Murphy and host Ann Gripper to discuss what Meghan has worn already - and the clues for her wedding dress. They name the designers they would like to see get the job, the symbols that might be included, discuss tiara options and look back on favourite royal wedding dresses from the past, as well as rounding up the latest royal news.

Meghan Markle continued her royal learning curve as she joined fiance Prince Harry on Tuesday for a visit to Reprezent radio in Brixton, south west London. Having wowed Nottingham days after their engagement was announced, Meghan and Harry made the short trip to Brixton, south west London, for their second official visit - and the reaction was similarly enthusiastic . Daily Mirror royal correspondent Victoria Murphy was there to see the couple - and the reaction of the crowds.  She joined Pod Save The Queen host Ann Gripper to analyse how the event went, from Meghan's casual look to the polish she is already showing in royal duties. The pair also talk through Meghan's decision to close down her social media accounts and how that squares with her identifying herself as a feminist, as well as rounding up the latest royal wedding news.

The Queen reflected on her year in her Christmas message, now our royal podcast team look back on their royal highlights from a year of change, as Prince Philip stepped down from royal duties, Prince Harry got engaged and the Cambridges moved to London. But some things remain constant, as the Queen passed 65 years on the throne. As the year ends, Pod Save The Queen looks back on the big events for four generations of the royal family and reflects on the lasting impact of Princess Diana, 20 years after her death. Fashion director Amber Graafland joins Pod Save The Queen host Ann Gripper and Daily Mirror royal correspondent Victoria Murphy to bring her insight to the royal wardrobe choices, reflect on Kate’s style evolution and a move away from high street labels, as well as picking her favourite outfit of the year and discussing sister Pippa’s wedding dress Victoria also gives an update on Meghan Markle's big Sandringham debut.