The British royal family’s unexpected enthusiasm for popular television serials always catches us off guard. New reflections from Queen Camilla and other royal family members offer a glimpse into their unexpected and delightful viewing interests. The Queen has openly shared her enjoyment of critically acclaimed dramas and light-hearted series alike, showcasing a human side to the monarchy that resonates with many fans.
Queen Camilla recently revealed her appreciation for the period television series “Wolf Hall,” which she watches with King Charles. The series continues the work of adapting Hilary Mantel’s exquisite—and widely celebrated—trilogy. It provides a fascinating window into the life of Thomas Cromwell during tumultuous Tudor England. The pair’s equal enthusiasm for this BBC documentary series points to their love of a good story told with an acute attention to the architecturally rich history.
We must add to her list of “Wolf Hall,” Queen Camilla’s praise for a new, sharp, funny, very contemporary series “Rivals.” She was given an advanced screener of the show, a sign she has achieved insider status within the TV game. This early access allowed her to jump into the series well before the rest of the world got their first look. It further grounded her deeply in the arts and media.
During a recent visit to the Chelsea Flower Show, Queen Camilla revealed that she is a fan of Netflix’s hit regency romance series “Bridgerton.” The Queen got a tour of Penelope Featherington’s Bridgerton-inspired garden, one of the show’s most adored locales. Her excitement for “Bridgerton” was palpable when she teased seeing “the first batch” of the show’s third season. She now enjoys that same passion as her viewers, who eagerly await the start of each new installment.
King Charles, with Queen Camilla by his side, reportedly revels in watching “Wolf Hall”—confirming their psyches’ mutual TV predilection. What is the couple’s favorite thing to discover? Great storytelling. Their passion illustrates their genuine love for cultural productions that blend historical importance with modern day relevance.
The royal family’s passion for the small screen goes back earlier than Her Majesty and His Majesty’s precedent-setting Screen Age. Both Sarah Ferguson and Princess Eugenie have lauded “The Crown” for its lovely music, lyrical storytelling and dreamy cinematography. What their marks highlight is the readily addictive quality of the series, that vividly brings to life the decades-spanning life (so far) and reign of Queen Elizabeth II.
Prince William and Princess Kate have been very public about their love for “Bridgerton.” Prince William shared that he had been watching the series with his wife over the festive period, further illustrating how the royals partake in popular culture and leisure activities like any other family.
Duke and Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle and Prince Harry just took the plunge! They talked about their obsession with “Bridgerton” and a new show “Shrinking.” Taken together, their choices reflect a clear lean away from the female-driven TV romantic drama and towards male-driven comedic fare.
Read on to learn what Princess Kate’s been binge-watching during her recovery period. She’s taking a break from reviewing Fleishman Is In Trouble to especially enjoy Hulu’s “The Kardashians.” With this surprising but relatable confession, she’s proven that even royals love a bit of lowbrow reality TV.
Queen Elizabeth II was known to have tuned into “The Crown,” according to Vanessa Kirby, who portrayed Princess Margaret in the series. This acknowledgment signifies the late monarch’s engagement with modern portrayals of her family’s history.
King Charles’ streaming choices are “Poldark,” a British period crime drama filmed in Cornwall. He expressed his fascination with the series, noting, “What I can’t get over watching that Poldark stuff on TV is how many he [author Winston Graham] wrote…” His remark shows a deep consideration of narrative storytelling and emphasizes his careful approach with adaptations from literature to interactive entertainment.
In fact, Prince William and Princess Kate are fans of the British version—“Strictly Come Dancing”—which inspired a U.S. You can see this in their love for reality competitions that celebrate excellence like American Idol.
The royal family’s ecological/national/colonial television preferences alright show a hazy line in between high culture/low culture assemblage. What, how, and when they view gives us glimpses into their psyche. These same habits have allowed them to network with other like-minded jurisdictions and countries.
