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 Queen Of Empire: Victoria

The Queen Of Empire: Victoria

Crowned queen shortly after her 18th birthday, Victoria presided over an extraordinary period of British history which saw huge industrial, social and territorial expansion. As this revealing history documentary shows, over her long reign she also managed to shift the public perception of the royal family and became a celebrated public figure, influencing popular culture.

The Forgotten Queen: Anne

The Forgotten Queen Anne

Coming to the throne in 1702, Anne modelled herself on Elizabeth I. She was the last monarch of the Stuart dynasty and one of the hardest working rulers that Britain had ever seen. Though less well-known today, she was the first queen of Great Britain, bringing Scotland and England together under one ruler and reigned through a period where Britain became a major player on the world stage.

The Virgin Queen: Elizabeth I

The Virgin Queen: Elizabeth I

In 1558, Elizabeth took the throne of a deeply divided England after her siblings Edward and Mary died. The Protestant queen allowed Catholics to continue with their faith as long as they were discrete and loyal. Peace and prosperity followed, and English culture flourished. Under Elizabeth, the seeds of Empire were sewn but despite her successes the Virgin Queen had to guard against numerous plots.

The Queen Mother's Blitz

the queen mothers blitz

During World War II, Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, better known as The Queen Mother, made a heroic effort to boost the morale of the beleaguered British people. With air raids a constant threat, her insistence that the Royal family remain in London was a reassuring move for the public. This fascinating history documentary examines how her personality and determination significantly helped the war effort.

Behind the Stories: The Monarchy

Behind the Stories: The Monarchy

The British royal family is always making headlines. But what is it like reporting on these stories? This documentary takes us inside the scoops and places us alongside the royal reporters. Kirsty Wark describes her experience of reporting on The Queen’s death, while Clive Myrie recalls what it was like covering a historic moment, as the King’s proclamation was filmed for the very first time.