For 70 years, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has been the face of the British Monarchy. With her passing and the celebration of her son, now King Charles III, there is a natural inclination to revisit our interest in the British royal family.
Movies and TV shows may not be the most accurate depiction of events, but sometimes they are dead-on for a quarter of a scene. Either way, it helps spark interest in our shared history. So celebrate a life well-lived, a new step forward, and all that built up to it by viewing these cinematic portrayals of the modern British royals of this century that are available on VidAngel.
“Downton Abbey“
Movie (PG, 2019) – Amazon rent/buy
Get a glimpse of King George V (ruled 1910-1936) and his wife Mary, in the first movie branched from The Downton Abbey series. In the film, our beloved Crawleys and their intrepid staff prepare for the most important moment of their lives. A royal visit from the King and Queen of England will unleash scandal, romance, and intrigue that will leave the future of Downton hanging in the balance.
“The King’s Speech”
(R, 2010) – Amazon rent/buy
The King’s Speech tells the story of the father of Queen Elizabeth II, the man who became King George VI (ruled 1936-1952). After his brother, former King Edward VIII, abdicates, George–’Bertie’–reluctantly assumes the throne.
“A Royal Night Out”
(PG-13, 2015) – Amazon STARZ, Amazon rent/buy
Inspired by true events, this charming romantic comedy recounts 1945 V.E. Day when the young Princess Elizabeth and her sister, Princess Margaret are allowed to join the celebrations. They take to the streets of London for a whirlwind adventure filled with excitement, danger, and the flutters of romance. (We’re getting Roman Holiday vibes.)
“The Crown”
(TV-MA, 2016) – Netflix
If you’ve been under a rock and have somehow missed this gripping show, The Crown is a decades-spanning inside story of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II (ruled 1952-2022) and the Prime Ministers who shaped Britain’s post-war destiny. This series 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. Two houses, two courts, one Crown. The last season depicted events from 1991-1997. The 6th and final season is expected to be released later this year!
“Spencer”
(R, 2021) – Amazon rent/buy
During her Christmas holidays with the royal family at the Sandringham estate in Norfolk, England, Princess Diana decides to leave her marriage to then Prince Charles (now His Majesty King Charles III). Spencer is an imagining of what might have happened during those few fateful days.
“Harry and Meghan”
(TV-MA) – Netflix
This one focuses on some of the young royals. Harry, the son of Diana and King Charles, along with his wife, share the other side of their high-profile love story. This series explores the clandestine days of their early courtship and the challenges that led to them feeling forced to step back from their full-time roles in the institution.
Don’t forget to look into the facts vs. fiction–or don’t, we won’t make you. But don’t blame us when you get raised eyebrows as you wonder out loud if there are any real photographs of Lord Grantham and the King together at Downton Abbey.
