Kings and Queens

Latest Episodes

• Elizabeth II

  The final programme in the series brings the history of the British monarchy up to date with a profile of Queen Elizabeth II. Given that Britain has lost an empire and no longer rules the waves, Nigel Spivey reflects on how much influence the Queen retains, especially when celebrities such as the Beckhams live in equal luxury and inspire greater public fascination

• Victoria

  Historian Nigel Spivey chronicles the life and times of Victoria, one of Britain's best-known monarchs, whose long reign encompassed a period of huge industrial and social change which ultimately saw the country transformed into a dominant world power. The queen, however, is most often remembered for her four decades of mourning following the death of her consort Prince Albert in 1861

• George III

  Historian Nigel Spivey explores the life of Britain's longest-reigning male monarch, George III, who created the position of Prime Minister in an effort to introduce consensus politics and a cabinet government to his subjects. In his day he was considered by many to be a wise and just ruler : although the Act of Union with Ireland caused more problems than it solved : but it is a cruel twist of fate that he is best remembered as a madman due to an inherited disease which struck him in old age