Royal Autopsy: King Charles II (SBS Friday 10 March 2023)

In the second and final part of Royal Autopsy, Professor Alice Roberts and Dr Brett Lockyer delve into the final moments of Britain’s Merry Monarch, King Charles II. This “as real” post-mortem examination reveals a body that appears to have been subjected to torture – with burns, blood, and traces of poisonous substances found in his stomach. Through this exploration of his autopsy, the duo uncovers the ultimate cause of death of the King.

In this extraordinary two-part series, Professor Alice Roberts and forensic pathologist Dr Brett Lockyer examine the deaths of two of Britain’s most famous monarchs, King Charles II and Queen Elizabeth I. This cutting-edge investigation brings together a mix of expertise to uncover new insights and challenge accepted wisdom.

In each episode, Alice and Brett perform a ‘real life’ autopsy. As they examine the corpse, they look for anything that could shed light on the cause of death. They then take their findings to medical and historical experts for further analysis, exploring the ailments and how they could have impacted the regent.

To recreate the monarchs’ final days, eye-witness accounts from the time of their death are used in conjunction with dramatic scenes starring Mark Wingett as Charles II and Linda Marlowe as Elizabeth I.

Airdate: Friday 10 March 2023 at 9.25pm on SBS.

Season 1 Episode 2