Robert Hardman in Conversation – Charles III

Join us as acclaimed royal biographer and commentator, Robert Hardman returns to the Festival to talk in conversation about his latest book – Charles III. Prepare to delve into the fascinating world of the British monarchy. Charles III is a brilliant and intimate portrait of the new monarch that draws on unrivalled access to the Royal Family, their close friends and staff, plus previously unseen papers from the Royal Archives. With damaging headlines unleashed by the Sussexes, political crises and questions about the future of the monarchy, Charles III had no shortage of challenges when he started his reign. The Royal Family then faced a double blow in 2024 when the King and the Princess of Wales were diagnosed with cancer, the news shocking the nation. The dramatic story is uncovered here, along with the vital role played by Queen Camilla, the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Princess Royal and others. From the emotional days following the death of Elizabeth II to the pageantry of the coronation, from the truth about the King’s relationship with Prince William and Prince Harry and the way he has coped with his illness to his first steps on the world stage, Hardman takes us behind the pomp and ceremony to reveal Charles the man as well as the monarch.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Robert Hardman is an internationally renowned writer and broadcaster, specializing in royalty and history for more than twenty-five years. He is the author of the Sunday Times top ten bestsellers Charles III and Queen of Our Times. His other books include Monarchy: The Royal Family at Work, Our Queen and Queen of the World, along with the BBC and ITV television documentaries of the same name.Among other television credits, he wrote and presented the BBC Two documentary George III – The Genius of the Mad King and wrote the BBC series, The Queen’s Castle. Hardman interviewed the then Prince of Wales for the BBC’s Charles at 60, the Duke of Edinburgh for the BBC’s The Duke: In His Own Words and the Princess Royal for ITV’s Anne: The Princess Royal at 70. He wrote and co-produced the BBC’s Prince Philip: The Royal Family Remembers, for which he interviewed a dozen members of the Royal Family. He is also an award-winning newspaper journalist for the Daily Mail in London