If an Anne Boleyn portrait is really Elizabeth I, there's a good reason

By Mallory Yu,

Ailsa Chang, Jordan-Marie Smith, Sarah Handel

Published January 15, 2026 at 4:30 PM EST

NPR's Ailsa Chang talks with Tudor historian Owen Emmerson about his theory that the face in a famous portrait of Anne Boleyn is actually that of her daughter, Elizabeth I.

Mallory Yu

See stories by Mallory Yu

Ailsa Chang

Ailsa Chang is an award-winning journalist who hosts All Things Considered along with Ari Shapiro, Audie Cornish, and Mary Louise Kelly. She landed in public radio after practicing law for a few years.

See stories by Ailsa Chang

Jordan-Marie Smith

Jordan-Marie Smith is a producer with NPR's All Things Considered.

Sarah Handel

See stories by Sarah Handel

Support nonprofit, fact-based public service journalism

WEKU depends on support from those who view and listen to our content. There's no paywall here. Please support WEKU with your donation.

Contribute now

Related Content

NPR News

Palestinians react to U.S. announcing the start of second phase of ceasefire in Gaza

Aya Batrawy, Anas Baba

Palestinians say they're suffering as they wait for progress in next phase of U.S.-backed ceasefire.
Whiplash as addiction and mental health treatment gets cut and restored

Debbie Elliott

Less than a day after the Trump administration slashed funding for addiction and mental health programs nationwide, the money was restored. Here's how this whiplash played out in Alabama.
Uganda holds election day amid internet blackout

Emmanuel Akinwotu

Uganda votes amid an internet blackout and heavy military deployment as President Yoweri Museveni seeks a seventh term, extending his four-decade grip on power
This teenager who wrote a research paper on how AI could impact teen jobs

Wailin Wong, Stephan Bisaha

A 17-year-old in California who got curious about the impact of AI on typical teen jobs. She embarked on an ambitious economic research project and shared her findings with us.
Trump's threat to sanctuary cities highlights struggle over federal and local powers

Joel Rose

As unrest continues in Minnesota, President Trump is threatening to cut money for sanctuary cities. That's a broad term that covers a battle between cities, states and the federal government.