Secrets of the Royal Palaces, 13 April 2024, Channel 5, “Palace Retreats”

In the second episode of its fifth season, Secrets of the Royal Palaces uncovers the hidden stories and secrets behind royal retreats, from emotional farewells to mysterious shootings and wartime escapes.

The episode, airing on Channel 5 on Saturday 13 April, begins with the story of Her Majesty’s floating palace, Britannia, the only home she ever chose for herself. Its decommissioning prompted the rare public display of tears from the Queen, and the programme explores the yacht’s history and its significance to the royal family and the nation.

Moving to the seaside, the programme reveals the magnificently eccentric Brighton Pavilion, created by George IV. From its inspiration in a garden stable block to the unique reservation of its finest room for servants, the pavilion’s secrets are unveiled. Historian Prof Kate Williams also shares some of the darker tales of royal retreats, including the controversial hastening of King George V’s death by his doctor.

The mystery of a shooting at Sandringham, which resulted in the naming of Prince Harry as a suspect, is investigated. Despite the absence of carcasses, the crime remains unsolved. The episode also explores how World War II led to one of Windsor’s best-kept secrets—the creation of charming pantomime pictures by a local student, which still hide behind grand oil paintings in the Waterloo Chamber.

Secrets of the Royal Palaces offers a fascinating glimpse into the private lives and hidden stories of the royal family, revealing the emotional, mysterious, and unexpected aspects of their palace retreats.

Secrets of the Royal Palaces airs on Channel 5 at 8:00 PM on Saturday, 13 April 2024.