The Royals: A History of Scandals

In the last few years, the British Royal Family has been plagued by scandal. But, as Professor Suzannah Lipscomb reveals in this fascinating history documentary, the UK monarchy has always been mired in gossip and intrigue. The role that the media, government and the public have played in generating outrage and spreading scandalous royal rumors is delved into and regal secrets are shared.

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The Royals: A History of Scandals on BBC Select

Episode 1: Wealth and Opulence
Suzannah exposes the scandals that stemmed from royal spending getting out of control.

What’s the point of being a king or queen if you can’t live in fabulous opulence? But sometimes royal spending can spiral dangerously out of control. In this engrossing history documentary, Professor Suzannah Lipscomb exposes the scandals that stemmed from British regal splurging from Henry VIII’s Field of Cloth of Gold to the extraordinary debt that George IV accrued.

Episode 2: Sex and Infidelity
Suzannah uncovers a sex scandal involving a merry monarch, a brothel and a royal prince.

Despite the veil of secrecy that is drawn over regal infidelities, there have been many British kings and queens involved in sex scandals. In this delicious history documentary, Suzannah Lipscomb reveals the marriage turmoil that put a royal in the witness box, explores what made Charles II ‘the merry monarch’ and uncovers a sex scandal involving a brothel and a royal prince.

Episode 3: Suspicious Deaths
Did Elizabeth I’s favorite murder his wife? Did Queen Victoria’s uncle murder his valet?

There have been many murders, mysterious deaths and notorious cold cases involving UK royals from the past. In this gripping history documentary, Suzannah Lipscombe turns true crime detective and looks at criminal activity and scandal with a British regal involvement. Did Elizabeth I’s favorite really murder his wife? And did Queen Victoria’s uncle murder his own valet?

Episode 4: Scandalous Marriages
Suzannah explores a royal marriage deemed so wrong that it led to a new law being written.

Many British royal marriages across the centuries have proved to be scandalous and intriguing. In this fascinating history documentary, Suzannah Lipscombe dives into some outrageous regal liaisons, including one deemed so wrong a new law had to be written, the scandal of Queen Caroline, considered the first ‘People’s Princess’ and the indulgences of Princess Margaret.

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