The story of Queen Elizabeth II in her own words

Elizabeth: The Unseen Queen tells the story of Queen Elizabeth II in her own words and using rare and unseen footage and family home movies.

The Queen looks back on her life in this acclaimed BBC film, reflecting on her childhood, her coronation and her 70 years as British monarch. See previously unseen unique home movies shot by the British royal family including footage from the Queen’s childhood, on board HMS Vanguard en route to South Africa in 1947, as well as archive footage of Royal weddings, events and speeches.

This show is not currently available on BBC Select but browse through the below titles for more Royalty documentaries available to stream on BBC Select.

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Elizabeth and Philip: Love and Duty

A look at the Queen and Prince Philip’s marriage as they celebrated 70 years together.

Watch Elizabeth I & II: Golden Queens on BBC Select

Elizabeth I and II: The Golden Queens

Exploring the parallels between Queen Elizabeth I and II

Queen Victoria and her nine children

Queen Victoria and her Nine Children

How Queen Victoria's grief changed her as a mother and a monarch

Elizabeth & Margaret: Love and Loyalty

Elizabeth & Margaret: Love and Loyalty

The complex, pained and loving relationship between Queen Elizabeth and Princess Margaret.

The Virgin Queen: Elizabeth I

The Virgin Queen: Elizabeth I

Elizabeth ruled a divided nation but became one of the most powerful leaders in history.

Behind the Stories: The Monarchy

Behind the Stories: The Monarchy

Royal reporters tell the inside story of historic moments in the British monarchy.

A very royal wedding

A Very Royal Wedding

A Very Royal Wedding

A joyful look back at the royal wedding day of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip.

King George & Queen Mary The Royals Who rescued the Monarchy

King George and Queen Mary: The Royals Who Rescued the Monarchy

The pioneering reign of Elizabeth II's grandparents, King George and Queen Mary.

Born to be the king

Born To Be The King

What does the future hold for the heir to the British throne, Prince George?

King George

How Mad Was King George?

King George III is remembered as a madman, but is this assessment unfair?

King Charles III: Born to be King

Born To Be King

What will new British monarch King Charles III bring to the role?

The Princes and the Press

Explore the changing relationship between the Royal Family and British tabloid press

Royal Cousins at War

It makes The Crown look like Sesame Street. The bitter regal rivalries that led to war.

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Royalty (British)

The Rebel Queen: Eleanor of Aquitaine

The Rebel Queen: Eleanor of Aquitaine

The astonishing monarch who was queen of both France and England during her life.

A Very Royal Crisis: Countdown to Abdication

A Very Royal Crisis: Countdown to Abdication

The biggest scandal and constitutional crisis ever to engulf the British Royal Family.

Elizabeth & Margaret: Love and Loyalty

Elizabeth & Margaret: Love and Loyalty

The complex, pained and loving relationship between Queen Elizabeth and Princess Margaret.

The Queen Of Empire: Victoria

The Queen Of Empire: Victoria

Victoria oversaw an astonishing period of change as the British Empire ruled the world.

Queens that changed the world

Queens That Changed The World

A look at six powerful women who ruled their people and changed the course of history.

The forgotten W

The Forgotten Queen: Anne

Modelling her reign on Elizabeth I, Anne was the first queen of a unified Great Britain.

the queen mothers blitz

The Queen Mother's Blitz

How The Queen Mother helped to boost the morale of Brits during the Second World War.

Behind the scenes: The Coronation of King Charles III

Behind The Scenes: The Coronation of King Charles III

Discover what goes into the planning and organization of a historic royal coronation.

Sing for the King: The Search for The Coronation Choir

A special choir has a once in a lifetime chance to sing for The King at the coronation.

Royal Holiday Secrets

Royal Holiday Secrets

What does the royal family do to relax, and where are their favorite places to escape to?

The Coronation Concert

The Coronation Concert

Celebrate the coronation with performances by Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, and Take That.

Charles R: The Making of a Monarch

Charles R: The Making of a Monarch

An intimate portrait of King Charles told in his own words with rare archive footage.

A very royal wedding

A Very Royal Wedding

A Very Royal Wedding

A joyful look back at the royal wedding day of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip.

Charles III: Will the King Change the Monarchy?

Charles III: Will the King Change the Monarchy?

Will the new king of the UK change the monarchy to help it survive in the modern world?

A grand royal design

A Grand Royal Design

Follow King Charles’ bold plan to save an 18th century mansion, and help the community.

King George VI: Husband Father King

King George VI: Brother, Husband, King

The story of an unlikely King whose closest family relationships shaped him and his reign.

Edward VII: Prince of Pleasure

Edward VII: Prince of Pleasure

Unravelling the mystery of King Edward VII to understand how his legacy is still relevant today.

Born to be the king

Born To Be The King

What does the future hold for the heir to the British throne, Prince George?

Secrets Of The Royal Gardens

Discover little-known facts and horticultural wonders hidden in royal parks and gardens.

Image of Princess Anne

Princess Anne: The Seven Loves of Her Life

The complex and at times scandalous love life of Queen Elizabeth’s only daughter.

Before They Were Royals

image of a woman standing in front of a collage of images of the now royal family

Before They Were Royal

A fascinating look into the familiar faces of the lives of those who married into the British royal family. What was life like before they joined the British royal family? This compelling documentary series looks at the early lives of various royals, including Prince Philip and Camilla Parker-Bowles before fame and their acceptance into the monarchy.

Inside Balmoral

An insight into a secluded royal retreat in the Scottish Highlands.

Watch Princess Diana: A Life After Death on BBC Select

Princess Diana: A Life After Death

How Princess Diana's tragic death and legacy changed the British monarchy forever.

Secrets Of Royal Travel

The unseen luxury and decadence within the royal family’s planes and trains.

Princess Margaret: Queen of Mustique

Scandal and gossip stalked Princess Margaret on the luxurious island of Mustique.

Elizabeth Fashioning A Monarch

How the Queen used clothing and jewelry to send a message to the world

Elizabeth: Her Passions and Pastimes

A look back at the pastimes, passions and pleasures of Queen Elizabeth II

BBC When The Queen Spoke to the Nation

When the Queen Spoke to the Nation

Exploring the Queen’s annual Christmas Day messages and other special addresses.

Picturing Elizabeth Her Life in Images

Picturing Elizabeth: Her Life in Pictures

The stories behind some of the most famous and era-defining pictures of Queen Elizabeth II.

Watch A Tribute to Her Majesty The Queen

A Tribute to Her Majesty The Queen

A look back at the life of Queen Elizabeth II

Stream The Platinum Jubilee Interview: Tina Brown on BBC Select

The Platinum Jubilee Interview: Tina Brown

Writer Tina Brown speaks with Katty Kay about decades chronicling the British royal family

young victoria

Young Victoria

How a modest little girl turned into Queen Victoria, one of history's most powerful women.

The Queen's Palaces

What secrets lurk within the walls of Buckingham Palace and other royal residences?

Watch A Royal Guide To

A Royal Guide to…

A revealing look into some of the more peculiar protocols followed by the Royal Family.

My Years with the Queen

What’s it like to be close friends with Queen Elizabeth II? Lady Pamela Hicks reveals all.

Stream Edward VIII: Britain's Traitor King on BBC Select

Edward VIII: Britain's Traitor King

The amazing story of the former British King who may have had Nazi sympathies during WWII.

The Palace & The Press

The Palace & The Press

Why is the British tabloid press so obsessed with the Royal Family and its activities?

Watch The Queen Mother on BBC Select

The Queen Mother

The triumphs and pain that came to define the woman affectionately known as the Queen Mum.

Stream The Six Queens of Henry VIII on BBC Select

The Six Queens of Henry VIII

Rediscover the Queens who shaped a King & his legacy in The Six Queens of Henry VIII, BBC's new look at the King's infamous wives.