Explaining how in the 1960s he harnessed the medium of television to revamp the royals’ public image, it also opened up the family to criticism.
In a film now withdrawn from public view in it’s entirety, the Queen could be seen discussing an unexpected confrontation she had experienced with a gorilla.
The monarch is heard saying: “It is extremely difficult sometimes to keep a straight face when the home secretary said to me that there’s a gorilla coming in.
“So I said, ‘What an extraordinary remark to make – very unkind about anybody.’ I stood in the middle of the room and pressed the bell and the doors opened… and there was a gorilla.
“I had the most terrible trouble at keeping… you know, he had a short body, long arms, and I had the most appalling trouble.”
The voiceover then revealed: “On the 21st June 1969, an astonished British public saw something for the very first time. A fly on the wall documentary showed a relaxed Queen telling stories around her dining room table.”
A royal commentator added: “The royal family documentary, more than any other moment, humanised the royal family. It meant that people saw them for the first time really as a family like them, and it opened the doors to everything else that followed.”
Opening a “pandora’s box” for a more critical press, rebranded for the modern media age, the behind-the-scenes ITV documentary was so revealing that it has now been removed from public view.
The voiceover continued: “They had seen the Royals in their dirty cloths, now they wanted their dirty laundry.”
One viewer tweeted: “I learnt stuff watching The Royal House of Windsor on @Channel4. Admittedly, the Royal Family is far from my specialist subject.”
Another posted: “I’m watching The Royal House of Windsor but I learnt everything they’re telling me in The Crown,” as a third wrote: “Found this Royal House of Windsor really interesting.
Next week’s revealing episode will see Prince Charles trying to avoid replicating Edward VIII’s romantic mistakes, while Lord Mountbatten acts as Charles’ kingmaker and matchmaker.
The Royal House of Windsor continues next Wednesday on Channel 4 at 9pm.
Daily Express :: TV and Radio Feed
