To be born royal is to be born into a life of immense privilege, but also one of unequal destiny. This documentary examines the uniquely challenging dynamic between the heir and the spare, a relationship defined by duty, jealousy, and a constant battle for identity. From the abdication crisis of Edward VIII and his brother George VI to the very public fracture between Prince William and Prince Harry, history is filled with stories of royal sibling rivalry.
With insight from royal historians, commentators, and former palace insiders, the film confronts the psychological pressures of this gilded cage. What happens when one sibling is destined to wear the crown, while the other must walk a few steps behind? Can loyalty ever truly overcome a lifetime of comparison, and how have these deeply personal tensions shaped the modern monarchy?
Royal Heirs and Spares: Rivalry & Resentment airs Saturday October 18, at 8:35 PM on 5.
