Are you still reeling from #Megxit? Gossiping over the latest season of The Crown? Holding a candle in the wind for the legendary Diana? Join Toronto Star Society Columnist—and avid Royal watcher—Shinan Govani as he breaks down the modern history of the one and only House of Windsor, bringing to life its most colourful personalities, its most opulent traditions and, of course, its juiciest scandals. Featuring special highlights from royal milestones, this deliciously entertaining series will be a spirited celebration—and clever dissection—of the family we can't stop watching.
Led by Shinan Govani, a contributing columnist with the Toronto Star and a columnist for Hello! Canada who was once dubbed “the go-to Canadian” by Page Six. Both social chronicler and pop culture decoder, his writing has appeared in Vanity Fair, Town & Country and The Daily Beast.
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Curious Minds Speaker Series sponsored by
The six weekly lectures in this series will start being available at the dates and times noted below. Once they are online, you can access each lecture at your leisure by clicking on links in your confirmation email, or by visiting your My Streams page. Once you start streaming the lecture, it will be available for 48 hours.
Each video lecture will be accompanied by a live Q&A, available to watch here on the dates noted below. To submit a question to the lecturer, email curiousminds@hotdocs.ca in advance of the scheduled Q&A.
Week 1: Monarchy in the Modern Age: Queen Victoria
We begin our portrait of the House of Windsor with a 360 view of royalty in all its manifestations. Why are we so fascinated by kings and queens, how do dynasties re-generate themselves, and how do narrative and gossip give them the oxygen to survive? As we narrow our gaze on the British royal family-the skeletons behind the pomp, and the secrets behind the spectacle-we turn our attention to Victoria, the first modern and (still endlessly influential) British monarch!
Lecture Released: Monday, May 18 - 12:00 PM
Live Q&A: Friday, May 22 – 11:00 AM
Week 2: Duty, Honour, Scandal: Edward and the Abdication
The greatest love story of all time-or the greatest dereliction of duty/temper tantrum? How the abdication of Edward VIII, in 1937, is a tipping point still felt in the psycho-social dynamics of the Royal Family.
Lecture Released: Monday, May 25 – 12:00 PM
Live Q&A: Friday, May 29 – 11:00 AM
Week 3: God Save The Queen: The Young Elizabeth
Now the longest-reigning monarch in history, we look back at the arrival of the young Elizabeth who, crowned at 26, had enormous celebrity appeal when she first ascended the throne. From the corgis to the hats, from her innovative use of television to her role as mother and wife, we'll take the long view on this 20th-and now 21st century-icon.
Lecture Released: Monday, June 1 – 12:00 PM
Live Q&A: Friday, June 5 – 11:00 AM
Week 4: The People's Princess: The Long Shadow of Diana
An enigma if there ever was one-and a potent prism through which to view both modern celebrity and womanhood (much like Jackie O!)-Diana was “the people’s princess,” as well as the PR genius who nearly brought down the monarchy. We sift through the many perspectives on her life, and how her dramatic death in 1997 continues to shape the lives of her sons.
Lecture Released: Monday, June 8 – 12:00 PM
Live Q&A: Friday, June 12 – 11:00 AM
Week 5: The Royal Circus: The Key Sets and Supporting Players
Like a long-running soap opera, the British royal family, in the age of Elizabeth II, has had an abundance of supporting players and some very colourful set pieces. We'll examine key actors like Princess Margaret and Lord Mountbatten, contemporary cameo-makers like Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, and the long-running settings where the Windsors have left their mark-from Christmas celebrations at Sandringham ("the most comfortable house in England") to state banquets at Buckingham Palace.
Lecture Released: Monday, June 15 – 12:00 PM
Live Q&A: Friday, June 19 – 11:00 AM
Week 6: Harry, Meghan, William & Kate: The Future of the Windsors
What lies ahead for the Royal Family? How will #Megxit affect the family's future? What will the monarchy look like when baby royals like George, Charlotte and Archie are getting ready for uni? We look inside the crystal ball to see what's in store for The Firm, as the Royals have often been called-from their use of social media to their response to calls for modernization.
Lecture Released: Monday, June 22 – 12:00 PM
Live Q&A: Friday, June 26 – 11:00 AM