While the world is busy processing the groundbreaking interview that was, if you haven’t been paying attention to the ins and outs of one of the most polarising and fascinating institutions to have ever existed—you’ve got some work to do. Lucky for you, we’ve collected all the best shows, movies and documentaries about the Royal Family so you can get up to speed.
Here’s everything you need to watch to get the lowdown on The Royals.
Documentaries About The Royal Family
The Royal House of Windsor
Netflix
While some might say the world really didn’t need another history-based show on the Royal Family, we beg to differ. The Royal House Of Windsor was dropped to celebrate a century of Windor’s reign back in 2017 and uses never-before-seen footage and evidence about the lives of the Royal Family. The show tales the Windsor dynasty which started back in 2017 when Britain and Germany were at war and looks at how the family has “survived” 100 years of power.
Serving The Royals: Inside The Firm
Apple TV
Over the course of the last few months, you’ve no doubt heard a thing or two about “The Firm”. It’s a separate body to that of the Royal Family, the group of people, also known as “The Institution” who work kind of as a governing body to keep things running smoothly and include departments like the Private Secretary’s Office, the Privy Purse and Treasurer’s Office. The Royals: Inside The Firm profiles 1200 internal servants, consultants, advisers and guards working for the House of Windsor and while they’re responsible for everything from changing bed sheets to walking The Queen’s corgis, they also know the monarchy’s deepest, darkest secrets.
The Story Of Diana
Netflix
It’s a documentary series that overlaps very closely with the good versus evil narrative Megan Markle has faced over the years. The Story Of Diana shares archival footage and interviews with those who knew her best, 20 years after the Princess of Wales’ tragic death. Taking you through various chapters of her life, the documentary also looks at the media scrutiny that plagued her. If you’ve got four hours to spare, this is an intense look at her time at the House of Windsor.
Movies About The Royal Family
The Queen
youtube
Strap yourself in for the one movie that looks at how Queen Elizabeth II dealt with the aftermath of Princess Diana’s death in 1997. The movie details the tension between the monarchy and the prime minister at the time Tony Blair as they both try and navigate how the Royal Family should address the nation. This period of the monarchy was also a huge turning point, much like Megan and Harry leaving the Royal Family, for public opinion and whether the world really needs the Royals anymore.
The King's Speech
Stan
While The King's Speech has definitely had its fair share of controversy in terms of how accurately it depicted King George VI, it goes without saying this movie about the Royal Family is still a must-watch. If you’re still catching up, King George VI was the father of Queen Elizabeth II (ie. The Queen) so this is perfect if you’re keen to take a deep dive into royal history. As you can probably recognise, Colin Firth plays King George VI who, before he was crowned, struggled with a stammer. He teams up with an Australian speech and language therapist who was known as Lionel Logue and the two work together to help the future king harness his words and become an epic public speaker.
Shows About The Royal Family
The Crown
Netflix
Self-explanatory but we’ll go here again. Perhaps one of the biggest shows on Netflix, The Crown (based on the award-winning play The Audience) tells the inside story of two of the most famous addresses in the world, Buckingham Palace and 10 Downing Street, and the intrigues, love lives and machinations behind the great events that shaped the second half of the 20th century.
The Netflix-original drama chronicles the life of Queen Elizabeth II (Claire Foy) from the 1940s to modern times and the series begins with an inside look at the early reign of the queen, who ascended the throne at age 25 after the death of her father, King George VI. As the decades pass, personal intrigues, romances, and political rivalries are revealed that played a big role in events that shaped the later years of the 20th century.
Now check out the best historical dramas on Netflix.
Image credit: The Queen