The royal family have been closely involved with television since the famous Royal Family film was released on BBC1 and ITV in June 1969. More than 30 million people watched the behind-the-scenes documentary based on 43 hours of historic film footage, much of which has never been seen. Some delightful gems slipped through the editing net, including Prince Philip saying that his late father-in-law, King George VI, ‘had very odd habits’ and asking a decorated war veteran: ‘What’s that tie? Alcoholics Anonymous?’ The film was a huge success, but some critics thought it revealed how out of touch with ordinary people the royal family really were.
It is something they still have to deal with 55 years later, as the Prince of Wales points out. In his latest two-part documentary for ITV about his Homewards project (which aims to end homelessness within five years) William admits he is coming from a position of extraordinary privilege and making a film about those with none. But whatever criticism is thrown at him, his empathy with his subject forces the viewer to look at the problem of homelessness with renewed hope for what the future king is trying to achieve. Executives at Disney+ were certainly impressed, as they picked up Prince William: We Can End Homelessness to stream to their global audience of many millions.
Meanwhile Queen Camilla has starred in her own documentary, made for ITV, about her work with women who have experienced domestic abuse. The Queen is brilliant, empathetic and understanding as she gently listens to the difficult stories of more than a dozen young women. Camilla is not a fan of television cameras but conquers her reticence and comes across like a professional in this extraordinarily moving documentary, The Queen: Behind Closed Doors.
In England and Wales a woman is killed by a current or former partner every five days, on average, and some 105,000 children live in homes where there is high-risk domestic abuse. Queen Camilla is using her position and influence to bring the plight of many women to the attention of the wider public.
This month the royals will celebrate Christmas in the time-honoured Christian tradition, like many of Charles III’s subjects. This year has not been an easy one for many, including members of the royal family. It started on a low note with the King announcing he had sought treatment for an enlarged prostate and was admitted to the London Clinic; this was the same hospital as the Princess of Wales, who had been admitted for abdominal surgery in mid-January. Less than a month later, on 5 February, a statement from Buckingham Palace announced that the King was undergoing treatment for cancer.
When the Princess of Wales made a video in March about her own cancer diagnosis it seemed as if the royal world had been turned upside down. But, as with her father-in-law, Catherine’s bravery and fortitude inspired other cancer sufferers, and the monarchy remained as popular as ever despite the occasional blip. Popularity is a dangerous bedfellow, as the royals know, but Christmas is a time to temporarily forget the woes of the world and celebrate together.
On behalf of the Majesty team I should like to take this opportunity to wish our readers a very happy Christmas and a prosperous new year.
