The Royals: A History of Scandals

Series 2:

Episode 1: Murder
Was the infamous disappearance of the Princes in the Tower a murder, or a fallacy?

Was the infamous disappearance of the Princes in the Tower a murder, or an attempt to discredit an overthrown king? And why was a bloody killing carried out in a Scottish royal palace? Historian Suzannah Lipscomb examines four suspected royal murder cases spanning almost 1000 years, including the story of Mary, Queen of Scots, and the death of William the Conqueror’s son.

Episode 2: Sex
Suzannah Lipscomb reveals the multiple-partner sexual shenanigans of the Georgian court.

Professor Suzannah Lipscomb looks into four sex scandals that dragged the reputations of certain historical royals through the gutter. She reveals how the multiple-partner sexual shenanigans of the Georgian court helped to fuel the newly formed British tabloid newspapers. And she investigates the case of 13-year-old King James VI of Scotland, who was allegedly groomed by his uncle.

Episode 3: Witchcraft
Suzannah explores the complex connection between British royalty and the occult.

Suzannah explores the complex and curious connections between the British royal family and the world of witchcraft. She explores how Queen Elizabeth I tried to predict the future and asked alchemists to find her the ‘real’ philosopher’s stone. Suzannah also reveals how two British queens were accused of witchcraft, with one of them accused of being related to a mermaid.

Episode 4: Crime
Did Henry VIII manipulate the law to convict and execute two of his wives for treason?

Professor Suzannah Lipscomb delves deep to investigate how members of the British royal family, over many centuries, have been both victims and perpetrators of criminal acts. She explores how Henry VIII and his ministers managed to manipulate the law and convict two of his wives of treason, and also investigates the master of disguise who attempted to steal the Crown Jewels.

Episode 5: Money
Suzannah Lipscomb explores some shocking examples of epic historic royal spending.

Professor Suzannah Lipscomb looks into some shocking examples of epic royal spending. Throughout history, monarchs have needed to appear magnificent to impress the nation and set them apart from the hoi polloi. And this has led to some serious cash being splashed. But what made King George IV’s coronation so expensive and extravagant, that it ended a 1000-year tradition?

Episode 6: Affairs
Suzannah uncovers historic royal affairs that shocked the public or were hidden away.

Suzannah Lipscomb uncovers scandalous historic royal affairs that outraged the public or were hidden away to avoid an outcry. She investigates how an affair between a royal prince and a famous actor shocked Georgian society and led to a barrage of negative press…and
10 illegitimate children. She also unearths the strange relationship between Queen Elizabeth I and her stepfather.

Series 1:

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.

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.