It’s been 70 years since a British monarch was crowned. For some, the coronation of King Charles III on May 6 is a time of celebration, for others the day will pass without much thought at all. Whatever your perspective, what can history teach us about where today’s monarchy has come from and how could what’s important to the man beneath the crown shape how it looks tomorrow?

A University of Aberdeen podcast, in this episode of ‘Inside the Headlines’ we look back at Royal life through the ages with historian Dr Heidi Mehrkens; hear how the current British monarchy engages with society from Lord Lieutenant for Aberdeenshire Sandy Manson; and discuss King Charles III’s affection for music with Royal composer Professor Paul Mealor.

Explored in this episode:

· Why we have a monarchy and what makes it unique

· What lessons history can teach the current Royal family

· The role the Royals play in local life

· Music and the monarch

Mentioned in this episode:

· People: King Charles III and Queen Camilla

· Person: Anne, the Princess Royal

· Person: Walter Bagehot

· Person: Queen Victoria

· Person: King George V

· Person: King Louis XVI

· Person: King Edward VII

· Person: Winston Churchill

· Royal residences: Balmoral Castle, Birkhall and Highgrove

· Locations: Ballater and Braemar

· Person: Andrew Carnegie

· Initiatives: Prince's Trust, Prince's Foundation and Prince's Countryside Fund

· Prayer: Kyrie

This podcast reflects the views and opinions of contributors, not necessarily the institutional position of the University of Aberdeen.