Royal Family (film)

Royal Family is a British television documentary that followed the day-to-day life of the British royal family for a year, from June 1968 to June 1969. It was commissioned by the BBC and ITV and intended to show a more human side to the monarchy.

The film was produced by Richard Cawston and featured significant access to Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, Prince Charles, Princess Anne, and other members of the royal family. It depicted them at work, at leisure, and in private moments. Scenes included family meals, royal engagements, and even Queen Elizabeth selecting what she would wear.

While initially popular, drawing an estimated 30 million viewers in the UK, the film has been rarely seen since the 1970s. The Queen, reportedly concerned that it had demystified the monarchy too much and damaged its mystique, requested that it be withdrawn from circulation. It remains under strict copyright control, and only short clips have been released publicly since its original broadcast. The full documentary is held in the royal archives, and access is tightly restricted. The film has become something of a legendary and controversial piece of royal history. Its impact on the portrayal of the royal family in the media is still debated today.