MFM Presents… Royal Swindle

**Laila Andre** (0:00)
Hello!

**SPEAKER_2** (0:01)
We're so excited to share the first episode of Royal Swindle, our brand new limited series from Exactly Right Media, Blanchard House and USG Audio.

**SPEAKER_3** (0:09)
Royal Swindle tells the story of two larger-than-life Australian women who arrive in England in the 1990s and charm their way into the world of old money, high society and, of course, horses.

**SPEAKER_2** (0:19)
In fact, episode one is entitled The Horsey Set, and it follows Evelyn Burton and her lover Laila Andre as they blow into town, promising rich British investors spectacular returns.

**SPEAKER_3** (0:30)
They're welcomed into rarified social circles and even make plans to buy a massive country house with a full staff. But behind this rich facade, these women are hiding a dark past and some seriously diabolical intentions.

**SPEAKER_2** (0:41)
So listen to Royal Swindle right now, episode one, The Horsey Set, and then you can go see photos from the story at Exactly Right on Instagram.

**SPEAKER_3** (0:50)
New episodes of Royal Swindle drop every Thursday on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

**SPEAKER_2** (0:56)
While you're there, don't forget to like, subscribe, and review Royal Swindle.

**SPEAKER_3** (1:00)
And now here's episode one of Royal Swindle. Goodbye.

**Becky Milligan** (1:06)
A quick warning, this story contains adult themes and strong language.
In 1997, England, the Royal wins a horse show.
An absolute must for the cream of British high society. But this is no ordinary year. In fact, it'll be remembered for a very long time. There's show jumping, carriage driving, dressage. And at this prestigious event, nowhere is more prestigious than the Royal enclosure. And this year, guess who's been spotted chatting to the Queen, talking and laughing with Queen Elizabeth II. And two Australian women. Now, these Aussies are very charismatic. And here they are, gossiping away to Her Majesty about the huge country house they're about to buy. So it's all very jolly. But there's something the Queen doesn't know about this pair. Something none of the Royal Entourage knows. Something no one in the whole of England knows. This Aussie couple are a pair of crooks. They're cunning. They're smart. And they're up to no good. They want what these people have. Money. And they'll do anything to get it.
If the blue bloods and the landed gentry and this whole champagne-quothing crowd had any idea what's really going on, they'd run. Like wild horses.
Now, nearly 30 years later, one of those crooks is ready to talk.

**Laila Andre** (3:33)
I've regretted a lot of things I've done. A lot of things. I sold my soul to the devil.
Look, I would say, I'm very sorry, but whether I've mean or not, I don't know.

**Becky Milligan** (4:07)
From USG Audio, Blanchard House, and Exactly Right Media, this is Royal Swindle. I'm Becky Milligan.
Episode 1 The Horsey Set.
October 1996 England's green and pleasant countryside, where the upper crust live in ancient country houses, set in lush pastures, passed down from generation to generation. Here, the aristocracy entertain friends on a grand scale and enjoy their country pursuits. And there's one pastime they prize above all others. Horses. Sophia Money-Coutts is an author and journalist.

**Sophia Money-Coutts** (5:36)
A lot of British people are really obsessed with horses. They live, eat, breathe horses.

**Becky Milligan** (5:45)
Breeding, riding, showing, and racing horses.
And the people who move in these circles have a name. The Horsey Set.
These people really can't live without their horses. And there's a sense of permanence to it all. Year in, year out, same people, same shows, bloodlines that can be traced back centuries. Continuity, a reassuring rhythm, a natural order. And the cost of maintaining this natural order is phenomenal.

**Sophia Money-Coutts** (6:26)
We were talking into the millions.

**Becky Milligan** (6:28)
But there's one thing you need to know about this world of old money.
There's not always that much actual money knocking around. It's not all like Downton Abbey.

**Sophia Money-Coutts** (6:41)
There is that expression, asset-rich, cash poor, which applies to a lot of posh people in this country.

**Becky Milligan** (6:47)
The money's tied up in all those crumbling old stately homes, which cost a fortune to run. So when someone new turns up, someone who's really wealthy, people can get quite excited, even if that someone doesn't quite fit in.
And that's what happens in autumn 1996, when two charismatic outsiders blow in with plenty of spare cash. Two Australian millionaires, Laila Andre and Evelyn Burton have arrived in the UK.
Now, if The Horsey Set aren't in their Jodhpurs and riding boots caked in mud, in the saddle, they dress a bit like the late queen. Rather conservative, pearls, headscarves, tweed skirts, and padded gilets. They're body warmers. And let's just say Evelyn and Laila looked rather different, and they both had rather contrasting styles.