What's the Monarchy For? S01 complete (1080p, soft English subtit...

What's the Monarchy For? S01 complete (1080p, soft English subtitles)

Power, money and influence - the monarchy is at the heart of our national life. David Dimbleby takes a personal look at its role and its future in a changing world.

E01 Broadcaster David Dimbleby has reported on countless royal occasions – from weddings to funerals and jubilees. But often he feels his role has been to help the palace and the people inside it present themselves as they want to be seen. Now, as recent events put the family under the spotlight, Dimbleby probes politicians and royal insiders on fundamental questions about the institution at the heart of our national life. In this episode, we are told the monarch is politically neutral and would never influence the running of the country – but is that really true? How much power does the king or queen really have? And in a world where political leaders are continuingly under attack, what role is there for our unelected head of state? Featuring interviews with royal insiders alongside political players such as David Cameron and Jacob Rees-Mogg.

E02 Over the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, the Windsors amassed extraordinary private wealth without us really noticing. How did they do it? David Dimbleby shines a light on the secrets of royal money, revealing how Charles became the first billionaire to take the throne. From tax exemptions to lobbying government, we discover how Queen Elizabeth II oversaw the most lucrative change to royal funding in two centuries. David puts George Osborne in the hot seat to answer why the monarchy costs the taxpayer more than ever before and asks: is it worth the public cost?

E03 For a king or queen, what really matters is the impression they make on their subjects – their image – and whatever they can do to burnish it helps ensure the monarchy’s survival. In this film, David Dimbleby questions his role as a royal commentator over the years, as well as that of broadcasters, including the BBC. He’s joined by interviewees, including journalist Ian Hislop, royal aides and palace insiders, to trace the moments when the Windsors lost control of their image and asks how far they were willing to go to get the press and the public back on side. As the glare of public scrutiny on some family members intensifies – while others bask in the warm glow of positive coverage – what changes must the family make in order to survive?

First broadcast: December 2025  
Duration: 1 hour per episode