Secrets of the Royal Traditions

The funeral of Queen Elizabeth II was a powerful display of royal tradition, capturing the deep bond between monarch and people. This programme explores the origins of such traditions from ancient symbols like the Orb and Sceptre to humorous customs like plaque unveilings. It uncovers the secret messages behind royal fashion, the impact of Princess Diana's funeral, and how rituals help the monarchy maintain its role in British identity, both on the world stage and in everyday life. 

There is nothing like the pomp and ceremony of a Royal State Visit - a chance for the royal family to use all the traditions at their disposal to champion Britain on the world stage. In the second episode of the series, we delve into the history of this very British tradition to discover the origins of these three-day spectacles of banquets, public processions and multiple gun salutes. We also reveal the secrets of more everyday- and yet vital- royal traditions that have become part of the world around us. From the traditions of how royal makeup can send powerful messages of defiance to the successes and failures of royal statues through the centuries, these are the customs and rituals that have kept the royal family at the core of British Life.

Nothing showcases the traditions at the heart of the Royal Family like a coronation and King Charles's spectacular ceremony at Westminster Abbey in 2023 showed the world the thousands of years of rituals and customs that play a crucial role in the crowning of a new monarch. This edition investigate the origins of these traditions to discover that some of the most sacred elements of coronations date back to biblical times, and also explores other traditions that have been passed down through generations, including Trooping the Colour.

Exploring the origins of the traditional royal banquet, a display of opulence, ritual and wealth that can be traced back almost 700 years. Plus, a look at the monarch's role as the head of the Church of England, the embodiment of morality made more challenging by another tradition followed by royals over the centuries - the royal affair.

A look at the bond between monarchs and their military forces, a link that has shaped the very history of Britain as for centuries kings traditionally led their armies into battle. The programme also examines the rituals and customs the royals must perform all the time, from the weekly meetings between the monarch and the prime minister, to the Tudor roots of the royals' traditional obsession with grand garden designs.

A look at the State Opening of Parliament, a tradition celebrating the marriage of monarchy and democracy that has shaped Britain for almost 400 years, revealing the shocking events that led to the ceremony of the Black Rod coming about. A visit to Kew Palace also reveals the traditional and horrific 'cures' inflicted on George III as he dealt with his secret 'madness' and how, 200 years later, the younger royals are creating a new atmosphere of encouraging discussion about mental health.

A look at the Birthday and New Year Honours lists, revealing how they came about, taking in everything from the savagery of medieval warfare to the horrors of the First World War. The programme reveals how the knighthood is steeped in ceremonial ritual and harks back to a time of chivalry that never actually existed. The tradition of the servant is also explored, a role that stretches back as long as royalty itself, including the long gone and much-missed post of jester.

A look into the turbulent history of why every monarch is expected to produce at least two offspring, preferably male, known as the tradition of the Heir and a Spare. Other practices explored in this edition include the curious custom of royal warrants issued to everyone from cornflake manufacturers to broadband suppliers, an endorsement worth millions of pounds to many British manufacturers and an intriguing insight into the eating habits and day to day activities of the royal family.