The Real Crown Series Premiere (ITVX Thursday 20 April 2023)

The Real Crown Series Premiere airs Today on ITVX

The untold drama of the most renowned family in the world, including their loves, scandals, and tests of strength.

In five, one-hour episodes, this documentary tells the story from the perspective of the major personal obstacles that The Queen and the monarchy experienced throughout her reign, via the eyes of prominent figures who have first-hand experiences and rarely seen film.

72 Films, who also made the critically acclaimed Rise of the Murdoch Dynasty and 9/11: One Day In America, produced this series, which juxtaposes previously unseen archival material with candid new interviews with eyewitnesses, some of whom have never been on camera before. Watching this, viewers will witness the visuals broadcast around the world during pivotal moments in history, while also learning the backstory and receiving unique insight into The Queen’s personal experience of navigating the events that moulded the fortunes of her family and the history of the United Kingdom.

Episode 1 is called Love and Duty

The upcoming coronation of Prince Charles as Prince of Wales marks the beginning of his reign as King of England. However, Welsh Nationalists have planted bombs along this route.

Britain in the 1970s was hit hard by a fuel crisis, labour strikes, and rising prices. In light of this, the Queen must prepare her son to assume the throne. But Prince Charles is no exception to the royal family’s age-old conundrum of choosing between love and duty. Prince Charles pays a visit to his great-uncle Edward VIII in Paris. Edward VIII abdicated the throne for love. Charles encounters a man who hasn’t moved on from his decision; his attendants are still dressed as footmen from Buckingham Palace, and he still has a crimson dispatch box with the caption “The King.”

Prince Charles falls in love with Camilla Shand, but she is not considered a suitable royal wife, so he decides to join the navy instead of following his passion.

Andrew Parker-Bowles, Princess Anne’s wild boyfriend, is engaged to Camilla, so Anne must also make a trade. Between the Queen and her sister Princess Margaret, the tug of war between love and duty throws a long shadow. When Margaret’s marriage begins to fail, she begins an affair with gardener Roddy Llewellyn, putting the monarchy in jeopardy.

The Real Crown: Inside the House of Windsor is a 72 Films production, produced in association with All3Media International, for ITVX. Ella Wright and Kate Quine are Series Producer/Directors and David Glover is Executive Producer.

The Real Crown: Series Premiere airs Thursday 20 April 2023 at 06:00 on ITVX

Season 1 Episode 1

The behind the scenes story of the world’s most famous family is told through the  perspective of the major personal challenges that faced the Queen and the monarchy throughout her reign.

Rare archive footage is set against revealing new interviews with key figures – some of whom have never previously spoken on camera – to compelling effect as viewers see the images played out to the world during historic moments, while hearing the inside story offering insight into The Queen’s perspective at the time.

Featured image credit: ITVX