A Royal Guide to... - Season 2

Season 2
From gardens to parenting, funerals, the armed forces, animals and Christmas, what does it mean to be a royal today?
Episodes

Parenting
This episode looks at the history of royal parenting, from birth announcements to the role of the governess. The programme also examines how education has changed - while the modern-day royals all go to school, hundreds of years ago sword fighting and riding into battle were the main lessons on offer.

Animals
The royals' love of animals, including Queen Elizabeth's love of corgis, the elite stable of racehorses that have brought in millions and their prize-winning dogs with specialist trainers. The documentary also looks back in time to the Royal Menagerie at the Tower of London. Founded by King John in the early 1200s, it was once home to more than 60 species - including a polar bear said to have fished in the Thames.

Parks & Gardens
Documentary exploring the royal garden, a key place for new monarchs to make their mark. Henry VIII's original hunting grounds are now central London's royal parks. King Charles spent decades transforming Highgrove, and the late Queen and Prince Philip reworked Victoria and Albert's Balmoral Estate. Multi-purpose green spaces act as a source of income, a place to relax, and perhaps most importantly somewhere to host spectacular parties.

Christmas
Christmas is the most spectacular time of the royal family's year, with extravagant banquets, celebrity carol concerts and amazing 20-foot trees. And then the King settles down for his turkey dinner.

Wales
A country steeped in history and tradition, Wales's relationship with the royals has been somewhat rocky over the centuries - filled with bloody 13th-century battles and times of oppression. Today, however, arguably things are in much better shape. After more than 50 years as the Prince of Wales, it's safe to say that Welsh cake is a staple of the King's afternoon tea.

The Armed Forces
The royal family's connections to Britain's armed forces, from historical monarchs leading their armies into battle to Prince William flying a search and rescue helicopter. The military also plays a huge ceremonial role for the royals. The armed forces are in attendance at every big occasion and also act as protection at the royal residences.

Scotland
The royal family's lives in Scotland, which has been the location for many key royal moments, from family barbecues and weekend hikes at Balmoral, to university love affairs and ultimately the death of the Queen. But it hasn't always been such a close relationship - in the 13th century, English monarchs were definitely not welcome north of the border.

Funerals
More than 250,000 people saw the late Queen Elizabeth lying in state in London before her 2022 burial. Prince Philip designed a bespoke Land Rover hearse for his departure in 2021. The royal family plan their own funerals from start to finish. This documentary charts the history of royal bereavement, a process steeped in tradition, from who keeps guard over the bodies and where they are buried to how the new monarch takes to the throne.
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