One of my favourite topics is the British Royal Family, and the other European Royal Families. One of my most popular posts is about the Duchess of Cambridge! I typically devour any biography, history, or fiction book I can get my hands on, as well as any TV show or movie. As such, I have watched most everything out there! This is going to be a handy rundown of the available shows and movies about the modern royals. Let’s start with TV, shall we?
The Royals
This is the first series from E! that I have actually watched, and it is thoroughly enjoyable. The Royals is about a fictional British Royal Family, with Elizabeth Hurley as Queen Consort. Gossipy, dramatic, and a lot of fun, this show is great for relaxing and imagining what that world would be like. Blenheim Palace is also stunning, and I’m hoping I can stop by there in the next few years! Princess Eleanor would have to be my favourite. Yes, she is spoiled and over-dramatic, but that is what makes her so enjoyable to root for!
This has yet to be given a release date by Netflix, or at least, we haven’t been made privy to that information. It looks absolutely fantastic- I’ve been iffy about Claire Foy in the past, but from what we can see, she nails the role. Matt Smith also looks to be a wonderful Philip. I will post more information on this as I find it!
And now for the movies. Given that these are about Royals that exist, they typically have a touch of mystery about them given the level of secrecy. Still, they make for great entertainment and are worth a watch!
Mary: the Making of a Princess
Was this incredibly cheesy, not to mention incredibly inaccurate (according to her bridesmaid)? Yep, but it was great fun to watch! I find Mary to be an interesting person- she works hard, supports many worthwhile causes, and also has a fantastic wardrobe. There is less info and news about the Scandinavian Royals, so I appreciated this movie (although no learning takes place). In true Rom-Com fashion, there are moments so corny you might blush but give it a go!
Once again, very cheesy and very entertaining! Although I was getting ready to present at my first academic conference ever, I woke up at 4am to watch the royal wedding on April 24, 2011, and I have been following them ever since. (Well, since before the wedding, to be technical.) I think this movie does well with the information that is out there without recreating history, but it has it’s fair share of awkwardly dramatic moments. If you are interested in the Duchess at all, why not??
There is a reason that this won the Academy Award for Best Picture, because the tension, drama, and emotion that accompanied George VI’s path to the throne. Colin Firth IS George VI, and Helena Bonham-Carter fully commits to Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon. Following his work to improve his stutter and confidence sounds like it wouldn’t be interesting, but it pulls you in. GO WATCH THIS NOW!
Another award winning film, Helen Mirren in The Queen will keep you spell bound. Typically modern politics do not keep me enthralled, but this retelling of the Royal Family in the days after Diana, Princess of Wales’ death is heart wrenching. To this day, people bring up Her Majesty’s lack of reaction to Diana’s death, but we don’t actually know what happened. Mirren does a wonderful job of bringing life to the other side of the story!
What “Royal” movies and shows do you enjoy? Would you be interested in a similar post for historically themed royal shows and movies?
Until tomorrow,
The Historian!
I’m also looking forward to “The Crown”. When I was in London a few years back I visited Buckingham Palace and I still wonder what it must be like to call it home.
I wish we would get a release date for The Crown- I suspect towards the end of the year. I haven’t had a chance to see Buck House, but I’ve had the pleasure of seeing Kensington Palace and Holyroodhouse (in addition to HCP and ToL)! What the lives lived there must be like
So the semi-reality show Made in Chelsea showed in the US for I think just one season, and it was a fun British show with some links to nobility…and I think someone graduated Eton with Prince Harry, but no direct links to royalty. There have been so many seasons of it, I want more in the US! It’s still trashy reality show nonsense, but the scenery and all is pretty great for someone who likes that area of the world!
I watched I want to say 6 series of it, and then gave up haha. I loved Binky but Spencer made me so angry I finally gave up to avoid him haha
Where did you find the Crown Princess Mary movie? Netflix? I’d love to see some royal films that aren’t Windsor-related…TV Española made a Felipe & Letizia movie much like that Wils & Kate one but I’m not sure if you can find it subtitled. It’s most likely on Youtube.
Speaking of Windsors, did you see “Diana?” That’s on Netflix–at least in the US. I would warn against it, but that’s just one girl’s opinion. I though Naomi Watts was an odd choice for Lady Di.
The Crown Princess Mary movie was on the W Network! I am now on the hunt for the Letizia movie- I know fairly little about the Spanish Royal Family, so it would definitely be interesting! I have not brought myself to watch Diana- I’ve heard nothing but awful things 🙁