With the release of With Love, Meghan on Netflix, audiences are once again captivated by the intersection of royalty and television. Whether through documentaries, interviews, or scripted dramas, the British royal family has long been a subject of fascination, with their on-screen appearances often shaping public perception of the monarchy.
From groundbreaking broadcasts like Royal Family (1969) to scandalous interviews such as Diana’s Panorama confession (1995) and Prince Andrew’s disastrous Newsnight appearance (2019), television has both strengthened and challenged the monarchy over the years.
As With Love, Meghan offers a fresh perspective on one of the most talked-about modern royals, now is the perfect time to look back at the most significant royal TV moments—those that have entertained, shocked, and even changed history.
The Early Years: Embracing Television
The Queen’s First Televised Christmas Broadcast (1957, BBC & ITV)
Queen Elizabeth II’s annual Christmas message had been a tradition since 1932, originally delivered via radio. However, in 1957, she made history by bringing the address to television for the first time.
Sitting in her study at Sandringham House, the Queen spoke directly to the camera, acknowledging the changing times and the growing role of television:
“I very much hope that this new medium will make my Christmas message more personal and direct.”
This was a pivotal moment. The Queen’s decision to embrace television was a calculated move to modernise the monarchy and connect with a rapidly changing world.
The 1960s: A Royal Experiment in Reality TV
Royal Family (1969, BBC & ITV – Commissioned by the Queen & Prince Philip)
Decades before reality TV became mainstream, the British royal family allowed cameras unprecedented access into their daily lives.
Royal Family, a two-hour documentary, showed the Queen at home with her children, making small talk over breakfast, and even grilling sausages at Balmoral.
The goal? To humanise the monarchy and make them more relatable to the public. However, the experiment backfired. Critics argued that it eroded the mystique of the monarchy, making them seem too ordinary.
By the 1970s, the Queen ordered the documentary to be locked away, and it has rarely been seen since.
The 1970s: Royals on Children’s Television
Princess Anne’s Blue Peter Special (1971, BBC – Featuring Princess Anne & Valerie Singleton)
In a rare royal collaboration with children’s television, Princess Anne joined Blue Peter presenter Valerie Singleton on a trip to Ethiopia to highlight her charity work with Save the Children.
This was a groundbreaking royal TV moment—one of the first times a senior royal used television to engage with young audiences and promote a philanthropic cause.
The episode helped solidify Anne’s reputation as one of the hardest-working royals, dedicated to charitable service.
The 1980s: A PR Disaster and Changing Perceptions
It’s a Royal Knockout (1987, BBC – Featuring Prince Edward, Prince Andrew, Princess Anne & Sarah Ferguson)
The 1980s saw one of the most bizarre royal TV moments in history.
Prince Edward, hoping to modernise the royal image, organised It’s a Royal Knockout—a medieval-themed charity game show where members of the royal family dressed in costumes and competed in wacky physical challenges.
While intended as a fun and lighthearted event, the show was widely ridiculed. Edward’s frustrated reaction to the press afterwards—snapping, “Well, thanks for sounding so bloody enthusiastic!”—only made things worse.
The fallout from the show was so severe that it reportedly damaged Edward’s standing within the royal family.
The 1990s: Scandal, Divorce, and a Nation in Mourning
Panorama – Diana’s Bombshell Interview (1995, BBC – Featuring Princess Diana)
The 1990s were defined by royal scandal, and nothing was more explosive than Diana’s 1995 interview with Panorama.
Speaking candidly to Martin Bashir, Diana revealed:
“There were three of us in this marriage, so it was a bit crowded.”
She also discussed her struggles with bulimia, self-harm, and feeling isolated within the royal family. The interview sent shockwaves through the monarchy, ultimately leading to her divorce from Charles in 1996.
Years later, an inquiry revealed that Bashir had used deceitful tactics to secure the interview. This led to a major scandal for the BBC, and both Prince William and Prince Harry publicly condemned the broadcaster.
The Queen’s Address After Diana’s Death (1997, BBC & ITV)
Following Princess Diana’s tragic death in a car crash, public outrage erupted over the royal family’s silence.
In response, the Queen made a rare live broadcast, addressing the nation:
“She was an exceptional and gifted human being. In good times and bad, she never lost her capacity to smile and laugh.”
This moment marked a turning point in the monarchy’s relationship with public opinion, showing that they had to adapt to a more media-savvy world.
The 2010s: Dramas and Documentaries
The Crown (2016–2023, Netflix)
Netflix’s The Crown became a global phenomenon, chronicling Queen Elizabeth II’s reign in a highly dramatised style.
While beautifully made, the series has faced criticism for historical inaccuracies, particularly in later seasons. Despite this, it remains the most successful royal TV drama ever made.
Prince Andrew’s Newsnight Interview (2019, BBC)
Attempting to clear his name amid the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, Prince Andrew gave a widely condemned interview with Newsnight’s Emily Maitlis.
His lack of remorse and bizarre statements—such as claiming he couldn’t sweat—led to his withdrawal from royal duties.
The interview was later dramatised in Netflix’s Scoop (2024) and Amazon’s A Very Royal Scandal (2024).
The 2020s: A New Royal Era
Harry & Meghan’s Oprah Interview (2021, CBS & ITV)
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey was one of the most controversial royal TV moments in recent years.
Meghan spoke of racist remarks about their son Archie and feeling suicidal due to royal pressures.
Harry accused the royal family of failing to support them, leading to comparisons with Diana’s struggles.
10. Charles III: The Coronation Year (2024, BBC – Featuring King Charles III & Queen Camilla)
Following the death of Elizabeth II in 2022, King Charles III was the subject of this documentary chronicling his first year as monarch.
Offering behind-the-scenes access to his coronation, it showcased how Charles is navigating a modern monarchy.
Conclusion: The Monarchy & Television – A Complicated Relationship
From early experiments with television to modern controversies, the royal family’s relationship with TV has been complex and ever-evolving.
As With Love, Meghan brings the royals back into the media spotlight, it’s clear that their TV presence will continue to shape their legacy—sometimes for better, sometimes for worse.
Which royal television appearances do you remember? Which ones have you enjoyed the most? And which ones do you never want to see again?
