Was King Charles II Britain's most promiscuous monarch? The Mail's Robert Hardman and historian Kate Williams examine the lives of three of his many mistresses in new podcast

Was King Charles II Britain's most promiscuous monarch? The Mail's Robert Hardman and historian Kate Williams examine the lives of three of his many mistresses in new podcast LISTEN: Queens, Kings and Dastardly Things, the unmissable new podcast series covering the biggest royal scandals in history is available now - wherever you get your podcasts By Harry Howard, History Correspondent Published: 07:07 BST, 28 August 2024 | Updated: 07:07 BST, 28 August 2024 e-mail View comments He was the 'merry monarch', the King who loved nothing more than a romp in the hay and a booze-fuelled party. King Charles II is believed to have fathered at least 12 illegitimate children and had numerous lovers - but he never produced an heir with his wife, Catherine of Braganza. His favourite mistresses included Barbara Villiers, actress Nell Gwynn and Welsh beauty Lucy Walters.

Now, the 17th-century monarch's relationship with those three women is being explored in the fifth episode of new Daily Mail podcast Queens, Kings and Dastardly Things. Mail columnist and royal biographer Robert Hardman and his co-presenter Professor Kate Williams examine whether Charles was Britain's most promiscuous monarch. Mr Hardman says of Charles: 'This week, we're turning our attention to someone who can only be described as one of the most prolific womanizers in royal history.

'A man who was an early fashion innovator, a scientific innovator, a man who ushered in a new era of hedonism and partying. 'A man whose ill.