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Royalty documentaries

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Explore the history of the British monarchy with our collection of Royal Family documentaries from the BBC and beyond. From Henry VIII and Queen Victoria to Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles III, as well as other monarchies from around the world, stream BBC series and films about the past and present of royalty.

The Princes and the Press

In this compelling BBC royal family documentary, Amol Rajan investigates how the relationship between the British Royal Family and newspapers has changed dramatically in recent years. Unlike older members of the family such as The Queen, the younger royals like the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Harry and Meghan face far greater scrutiny but does the press ever go too far?

The Six Queens of Henry VIII

Stream The Six Queens of Henry VIII on BBC Select

King Henry VIII’s reign was defined by his marriages. Coercion, manipulation and ultimately murder were all employed. Wives were selected and discarded for political and religious reasons and in a desperate attempt to sire an heir.

Join historians Dan Jones and Suzannah Lipscomb as they explore what these turbulent relationships tell us about England’s legendary king.

A Tribute to HRH the Duke of Edinburgh

Watch the remarkable life story of His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh – Prince Philip – the man who stood beside Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for over 70 years.

Elizabeth and Philip: Love and Duty

Kirsty Young offers a unique view of the life together of the Queen and Prince Philip as they celebrated their seventieth wedding anniversary in 2017.

Queen Victoria and her Nine Children

Queen Victoria and her nine children

When her beloved husband Prince Albert died at a tragically young age, Queen Victoria found herself bereft, running an Empire alone and the single mother to nine small children. This three-part history documentary explores how Queen Victoria’s grief changed her as a mother and a monarch.

Queen Victoria’s coping mechanisms were quite extreme. She hid herself away from public life and began to focus on her children, micromanaging everything from what they wore to who they married. But her meddling would lead to resentment and tragedy.