Summary

From abdication to Afghanistan, from fairytale princesses to terrorist attacks, this is the real story of the Windsors – an archive history with a story-line that you just could not make up. The 3-part series chronicles nearly a century of royal triumphs and misfortunes, from the reign of the first Windsors, George V and Queen Mary, to the long, mostly happy rule of Queen Elizabeth II and her expanding House of Windsor.
 
We witness the triumphs of the crowned heads, calmly steering their country through two world wars, their moments of public splendour (the fireworks that saluted George V’s Silver Jubilee), the tide of love that swept Elizabeth II aloft on her Golden Jubilee, their days of personal joy (Prince William’s graduation day, Prince Harry’s passing-out parade), and of sorrow (the marriages that failed, the death of Princess Margaret, the tragedy of Princess Diana). 
 
The narrative is built on remarkable – often previously unseen – archive film, including rare 1930s colour footage of a Coronation, a Silver Jubilee and a royal tour of Canada, and an extensive soundtrack, featuring hit songs and tunes from ragtime, Dixieland jazz, swing, crooners and rock-and-roll.