Books, Movies, and Podcasts: How the Story of the Royal Family Is Being Written
The Royal Family of Britain is historical. It is one of the oldest families in the world, with a carefully recorded history. More than that, it has been powerful and influential for a long time, playing important roles in the shaping of world history.
Whatever royal house sits on the thrown as the reigning house—York or Tudor, Stuart or Windsor—its affairs have always been of great interest to people around the world. Its traditions, scandals, influence, and allure fascinate people so much so that they are always on the lookout for the latest news about the royals.
Over the years, the stories of the Crown and its members have been told through various forms of media, giving people a peak behind the curtains of this great family, the central part of which was the Queen. From film and literature to music and, more recently, podcasts, each medium gives a different perspective on the royals. Let’s explore how the story of one of the most popular families in the world is being told today.
Royal TV & Film
Film is arguably one of the most consistent media with which the story of the Royal Family is being told today. This is not surprising, as researchers have already identified the cultural power of films in shaping the understanding of historical events. This is why the majority of American teachers use portions of films to teach history lessons.
Standalone films about the Royal Family often focus on specific events, giving viewers a concentrated look at an aspect of the family’s lives and reign. However, with TV shows, which by nature are longer, viewers can get a fuller and more detailed story of the Royal Family.
A good example is Netflix’s The Crown. This six-season series tells a highly detailed story of the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, shedding light on her personal and political challenges. It brings the royal narrative to life, pulling the viewer into the everyday lives of members of the family.
More recently, there has been news of an upcoming series, Royal Spin, centered on the Royal Family. Based on a novel of the same title, the fictional show is expected to depict the chaotic world of the Buckingham Palace press office. With its promise of drama, there is no doubt that it will instantly make the list of best TV shows of 2024, or whatever year it is released. The news of the show came in the middle of some media discussions involving Prince Harry, which has increased viewers’ anticipation.
Royal Literature
Books have also contributed significantly to how the story of the Royal Family has been told over the years. In fact, because of its longer history, literature has contributed more than film in shaping royal narratives. Books have always been a primary source of information about the Crown. Biographies, autobiographies, historical accounts, novels—they number in thousands. These books offer much more information than can be found in films.
Charles III: New King. New Court. The Inside Story, published in 2024 by British journalist Robert Hardman, is one of the most recent biographies of a member of the Royal Family to be written. It covers parts of the royal life for over twenty years, focusing on King Charles III and his recent transition from Prince of Wales to king. Also, Prince Harry’s 2023 autobiography, Spare, details his childhood, teenage years, and controversial marriage. It is the fastest-selling non-fiction book ever.
Royal Podcasts
Recently, with the emergence of podcasts, people have a new way to consume stories about the Royal Family. The conversational and episodic style of podcasts means that people can engage in ongoing discussions about the family, diving deep into specific topics, events, or members.
Podcasts like ‘Pod Save the Queen’ feature expert commentary, interviews, and analysis of current topics around the Royal Family. Others, like Omid Scobie’s ‘The HeirPod’ give listeners a behind-the-scenes look at the making of royal news.
Royal Music
Finally, music has also played a part in shaping the royal narrative. Many musicians have been inspired by the royal family, whether positively or otherwise. This has led to the production of various songs referencing members of the royal family. Music legend Elton John adapted one of his songs to honor Princess Diana after her death.
These examples showcase that the story of British royalty has been well-documented since the creation of the throne and will continue to be documented. In modern times, new media have been used to further expand the possibilities of storytelling, lending more flesh to the story of one of the most influential families in the world. This has brought the Royal Family closer than ever to the people, exposing its inner chambers for the world to see.
