Platinum Jubilee: the best movies, television shows and songs about the monarchy
The Queen’s Jubilee celebrations are fast approaching, with Britons eagerly anticipating a four-day weekend this week. The Platinum Jubilee marks Queen Elizabeth II’s 70th year on the throne – an achievement she reached on 6th February this year.
What better way to celebrate your four day weekend than by taking in the very best royalty-themed entertainment? Take a look at our recommendations below.
The Crown (2016 – Present)
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably already seen or at least heard of The Crown. One of the most expensive shows ever made, it chronicles the life of Queen Elizabeth II from the 1940s to modern times. Exploring personal intrigues, romance and political rivalries, it’s certainly not one to miss.
The King’s Speech (2010)
King George VI tries to overcome his stammering problem with the help of speech therapist Lionel Logue and makes himself worthy enough to lead his country through World War II. One of the most critically acclaimed movies of all time, Tom Hooper’s 2010 historical drama received a stunning 12 nominations at the Oscars, winning four awards (Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay and Best Actor)
The Hollow Crown (2012 – 2016)
Featuring an all star cast including Benedict Cumberbatch and Tom Hiddleston, The Hollow Crown reimagines Shakespeare’s most celebrated and iconic historical plays. The series mainly follows the story of three kings, Richard II, Henry IV, and Henry V and their battle for survival.
Elizabeth (1998)
The first of Australian actress Cate Blanchett’s two movies as the titular queen, this 1998 biographical film dramatises the early years of Queen Elizabeth I of England’s reign. The young Protestant Elizabeth was crowned Queen upon the death of her Catholic half-sister Mary I in 1558. The role won Blanchett a Golden Globe and a BAFTA and Elizabeth received seven Oscar nominations.
The King (2019)
Set before, during and after England’s war with France at the famous Battle Of Agincourt in 1415, Netflix’s feature-length movie is based on William Shakespeare’s classic plays Henry The IV (Parts 1 & 2) and Henry V. Although using the same source material as The Hollow Crown, The King features a more aesthetically pleasing experience with incredible cinematography and set pieces. The King stars Timothée Chalamet, Joel Edgerton, Robert Pattinson, and model, Lily-Rose Depp.
Elizabeth: A Play In Parts (2022)
Released in honour of the platinum jubilee, this documentary follows the life of Queen Elizabeth II. Directed by the late, great and much celebrated Roger Michell (Notting Hill), Elizabeth: A Portrait in Parts is a nostalgic, uplifting and fresh modern chronicle of the 70-year reign of Her Majesty the Queen, the longest-living, longest-reigning British monarch and longest-serving female head of state in history.
Sex Pistols ‘God Save The Queen’
Of course, when it comes to the Monarchy, it can’t all be sunshine and rainbows. Arguably the most famous anti-monarchy song ever, it not only stuck up two fingers to the national anthem but it was also released on the day of the Silver Jubilee. To make things even more unbearable for the royal family, it became so popular it almost hit number one on the charts.
The Beatles ‘Her Majesty’
It’s saying a lot that this 28-second track is probably the nicest representation the Queen has received in the world of music. The acoustic-plucked track that features at the end of Abbey Road is one of the only tracks to reference the Queen in a semi-positive way. Here, her majesty is a “pretty nice girl” though she “doesn’t have a lot to say”. Not exactly the greatest description but we’re sure she would’ve taken it, given the content of some of the other Queen related tracks at the time.
