A Very Royal Crisis: Countdown to Abdication
This is the true tale of the biggest scandal ever to engulf the British Royal Family – a forbidden love affair which had a devastating impact. This BBC Select Original Documentary series recounts the story behind the ten days leading to Edward VIII abdicating his throne to marry American divorcee Wallis Simpson. It would change the royals, the press and British history forever.
Watch A Very Royal Crisis: Countdown to Abdication and more acclaimed documentaries on BBC Select today. Restrictions apply*.
More documentaries you might like...
The Queen's Palaces
What secrets lurk within the walls of Buckingham Palace and other royal residences?
Edward VII: Prince of Pleasure
Unravelling the mystery of King Edward VII to understand how his legacy is still relevant today.
A Royal Guide to…
Back for season two, those on the inside provide details on some bizarre royal traditions and protocols.
Queen Victoria and her Nine Children
How Queen Victoria's grief changed her as a mother and a monarch
How Mad Was King George?
King George III is remembered as a madman, but is this assessment unfair?
King George VI: Brother, Husband, King
The story of an unlikely King whose closest family relationships shaped him and his reign.
Royal Cousins at War
It makes The Crown look like Sesame Street. The bitter regal rivalries that led to war.
Secrets Of The Royal Gardens
Discover little-known facts and horticultural wonders hidden in royal parks and gardens.
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.
The Princes and the Press
Explore the changing relationship between the Royal Family and British tabloid press
The Forgotten Queen: Anne
Modelling her reign on Elizabeth I, Anne was the first queen of a unified Great Britain.
Secrets Of Royal Travel
The unseen luxury and decadence within the royal family’s planes and trains.
Royal Holiday Secrets
What does the royal family do to relax, and where are their favorite places to escape to?
A Grand Royal Design
Follow King Charles’ bold plan to save an 18th century mansion, and help the community.
Osborne House: A Royal Retreat
Enjoy behind the scenes access to Queen Victoria’s favorite home: Osborne House.
Raymond Blanc's Royal Kitchen Gardens
Get ready to discover some of the most incredible royal kitchen gardens across the UK. In this documentary series, award-winning chef and author Raymond Blanc gains unique access to these captivating spaces, meeting the people who work there and the chefs who use them. From the apple tunnels of Highgrove to the sea-scented gardens of the Castle of Mey, Raymond promises a fascinating culinary tour.
The Royals: A History of Scandals
Professor Suzannah Lipscomb looks into history's most scandalous British royal rumors.
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.
Elizabeth & Margaret: Love and Loyalty
The complex, pained and loving relationship between Queen Elizabeth and Princess Margaret.
The Queen Of Empire: Victoria
Victoria oversaw an astonishing period of change as the British Empire ruled the world.
The Virgin Queen: Elizabeth I
Elizabeth ruled a divided nation but became one of the most powerful leaders in history.
The Queen Mother's Blitz
How The Queen Mother helped to boost the morale of Brits during the Second World War.
Behind the Stories: The Monarchy
Royal reporters tell the inside story of historic moments in the British monarchy.
Behind The Scenes: The Coronation of King Charles III
Discover what goes into the planning and organization of a historic royal coronation.
Charles R: The Making of a Monarch
An intimate portrait of King Charles told in his own words with rare archive footage.
Charles III: Will the King Change the Monarchy?
Will King Charles III adapt the British monarchy to suit modern times?
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 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
What does the future hold for the heir to the British throne, Prince George?
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 Royal
The story of Prince Philip, Camilla Parker-Bowles and more before they became royal
Princess Diana: A Life After Death
How Princess Diana's tragic death and legacy changed the British monarchy forever.
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
Picturing Elizabeth: Her Life in Pictures
The stories behind some of the most famous and era-defining pictures of Queen Elizabeth II.
The Platinum Jubilee Interview: Tina Brown
Writer Tina Brown speaks with Katty Kay about decades chronicling the British royal family
Diana's Decades
How did this thoroughly modern princess transform the Royal family and Britain itself?
Young Victoria
How a modest little girl turned into Queen Victoria, one of history's most powerful women.
Elizabeth I and II: The Golden Queens
Exploring the parallels between Queen Elizabeth I and II
My Years with the Queen
What’s it like to be close friends with Queen Elizabeth II? Lady Pamela Hicks reveals all.
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
Why is the British tabloid press so obsessed with the Royal Family and its activities?
The Queen Mother
The triumphs and pain that came to define the woman affectionately known as the Queen Mum.
Elizabeth and Philip: Love and Duty
A look at the Queen and Prince Philip’s marriage as they celebrated 70 years together.
Trending documentaries
Trending and popular shows to watch on BBC Select
The Missing Cryptoqueen
What happened to cryptocurrency queen Ruja Ignatova, the world’s most wanted woman?
Art, Passion and Power: The Story of the Royal Collection
Andrew Graham-Dixon explores the impressive artworks and history of the Royal Collection.
The Murder of Alice Ruggles: Social Media Murders
A chilling true crime investigation into a young woman killed by her calculating ex.
Eden: Untamed Planet
Discover the secrets of Earth's few remaining untouched lands, all brimming with life.
Osborne House: A Royal Retreat
Enjoy behind the scenes access to Queen Victoria’s favorite home: Osborne House.
Little Paris Kitchen: Cooking with Rachel Khoo
Chef Rachel Khoo creates incredible dishes inspired by the culture and cuisine of Paris.
The Apartheid Killer
The shocking true story of a serial killer on the loose in 80s South Africa.
Rick Stein's Secret France
Rick Stein heads to France to try delicious cuisine and unearth the French secret to life.
Ancient Powers
How the ancient powers of classical civilization grew, thrived, and ultimately failed.
Lady Killers with Lucy Worsley
Lucy Worsley investigates murderesses from history and their extraordinary crimes.
Influential with Katty Kay
Katty Kay sits down with legendary Olympic athletes for some in-depth conversations.
India: the Modi Question
Investigating tensions between the Indian Prime Minister and the country’s Muslim minority
BBC Select Email Newsletter
Sign up to be the first to know about new shows on BBC Select, the latest collection of documentaries and other content from BBC Studios we think you’ll enjoy.