Podcast Episodes

The last days of Queen Victoria

Queen Victoria died on 22 January 1901. In this programme from 2010, Claire Bowes looks back on the monarch’s last days.

She speaks to the author Tony Rennell and hears recollections from the BBC arch…

Published on 3 years, 3 months ago

When the Queen opened Buckingham Palace

Queen Elizabeth II first opened her London home to the paying public on 7 August 1993. Tourists were allowed to look round Buckingham Palace while the Royal family was staying elsewhere for the summe…

Published on 3 years, 3 months ago

Windsor Castle fire

In November 1992, a fire devastated Windsor Castle - a symbol of the British monarchy and Queen Elizabeth II’s weekend home. Coming at the end of a year of family problems, the blaze upset the Queen …

Published on 3 years, 3 months ago

Queen Elizabeth II's Coronation Derby

A few days after Queen Elizabeth II was crowned, she had her best chance of owning the winner of the Derby, but first the horse would have to beat the British public’s favourite jockey.

Peter O’Sulle…

Published on 3 years, 3 months ago

The coronation of Queen Elizabeth II

In June 1953, the young Queen Elizabeth II was crowned at Westminster Abbey. Two of her Maids of Honour, Lady Anne Glenconner and Lady Jane Vane-Tempest-Stewart, share their memories of Coronation Da…

Published on 3 years, 3 months ago

The car that charmed Brazil

Since its launch in the 1950s, the Brazilian version of the VW Beetle has had a special place in the nation's heart. Cheap, charismatic and virtually indestructible, it was many Brazilians' first car…

Published on 3 years, 3 months ago

The Candelaria child massacre

In 1993, eight homeless children were murdered outside the Candelaria church in Rio De Janeiro.

The murders caused international outrage and put a spotlight on corrupt policing in Brazil.

Matt Pintus…

Published on 3 years, 3 months ago

Building of Brasilia

In 1960, Brazil opened a new capital city in its remote central plains.

The city was designed by modernist architect Oscar Niemeyer and was supposed to symbolise Brazil's future ambitions.

In 2014, Cl…

Published on 3 years, 3 months ago

The murder that shocked Brazil

In 2002, an investigative journalist called Tim Lopes was brutally killed by a drug gang in Rio de Janeiro. The murder sent shockwaves throughout Brazil.

His son, Bruno Quintella, spoke to Mike Lanch…

Published on 3 years, 3 months ago

Doomed hero of Brazilian democracy

In March 1985, Brazil experienced the most traumatic moment in its transition to democracy when the first civilian president-elect in more than 20 years was rushed to hospital on the eve of his inaug…

Published on 3 years, 3 months ago