Documentaries to watch about the life of King Charles, airing before coronation
The coronation of King Charles III takes place on Saturday, May 6, at Westminster Abbey in London.
During the ceremony, Charles will be crowned King alongside his wife, Camilla, the Queen Consort.
Before the big day, there are a few new documentaries to watch to bring you up to speed on Charles’ life. (Of course, if you want a fictionalized, dramatized version of royal life, it’s hard to beat “The Crown,” which is streaming on Netflix.)
We’ll update this list as more specials are announced.
April 28: ‘Charles: In His Own Words’ (National Geographic / Hulu / Disney+)
(*Programming note: This documentary premieres on the National Geographic channel at 10 p.m. on April 28, then streams on Hulu April 29 and on Disney+ May 5)
“Charles: In His Own Words” is a history of one of the most scrutinized public figures in the world — man some have called “the Rebel Prince” — through a collection of rare archival material. The documentary explores his relationships with his current wife, Camilla, Queen Consort; and with his first wife, Diana, Princess of Wales.
From National Geographic, the documentary offers a rare view into the real Charles, “back to the beginning, revealing the formative events that have influenced the man, former Prince and the King he was destined to be.” The film is from the creator of “Diana: In Her Own Words,” Peabody and Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Tom Jennings. (Note: The two-hour film “Diana: In Her Own Words” airs Friday, April 28, at 8 p.m., just before the King Charles doc.)
APRIL 30: ‘The Reign Begins: Charles and Camilla’ (8 p.m., CNN)
CNN previews the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla in a new episode of “The Whole Story with Anderson Cooper,” reported by CNN’s Erica Hill. The special will feature interviews with experts on the British Royal Family and many close to the Windsors as they reflect on the past, present, and future of these new sovereigns.
Stream later: “The Reign Begins: Charles and Camilla” will be available On Demand to pay TV subscribers via CNN.com, CNN apps, and Cable Operator Platforms.
May 2: ‘King Charles: The Boy Who Walked Alone’ (Paramount+)
This new streaming documentary looks at the life of King Charles with interviews from former girlfriends, schoolmates, royal watchers and staff, with many speaking for the first time disclosing new details about the King.
The doc is described as “partly a coming-of-age tale, bringing to life an intimate portrait of England’s future king. New insights include a memory from King Charles’ former boarding schoolmate Johnny Stonborough, who recalls how ‘Charles was the boy who walked alone,’ in response to ongoing bullying and isolation.”
There are also new details about his relationship with the late Princess Diana and how that may have impacted his relationship with his youngest son, Prince Harry.
Among those interviewed: India Hicks, King Charles’ goddaughter; Mervyn Wycherley, former head chef to the Prince of Wales and Lady Diana Spencer; former classmate Johnny Stonborough; squadron leader Graham Laurien, who flew King Charles more than 760 times; and former girlfriends Janet Jenkins and Jane Ward.
May 2: ‘King Charles III: The New Monarchy’ (TVOD)
This on-demand documentary released in the US and Canada highlights “new interviews from insiders and journalists as it tracks the new king-to-be’s preordained destiny from his earliest days. From his childhood, unprecedented education, and military service, to his famous, and infamous, love life and father- and grandfather hood, emphasis is firmly placed on his predilection for the role, patience in waiting and preparing for it, and the determination to put his own unique stamp on the monarchy.”
It’s available on all major streaming and cable platforms starting May 2 and on DVD in June.
May 5: ‘Charles R: The Making of a Monarch’ (BBC America, AMC+)
This documentary, which “tells the story of how a Prince became a King,” airs on BBC America at 9:35am ET and will move to AMC+ on Thursday, June 1. The special features King Charles III telling his own story in his own words from a “rare and unseen archive.”
May 12: ‘The Coronation: A Day to Remember’ (AMC+)
If you missed the actual coronation, this 90-minute highlight package from BBC America will be available to stream on AMC+.
A Royal Coronation Playlist
The premium documentary streaming service Magellan TV has a Royal Coronation Playlist, which we’ve included below. Note that two of the documentaries are free for the month of May, while some will require subscription (the service costs $4.99 per month but comes with a free trial).
- “Prince Charles: The Royal Restoration” (FREE 5/1-5/31) – Feature documenting Prince Charles’ transformation of Dumfries House, one of the most important and beautiful history properties in the Commonwealth
- “England From Above” (FREE 5/1-5/31) - From the award-winning production company behind the best-selling international franchise “The World From Above,” featuring England’s most picturesque landscapes and historic architecture
- “Serving the Royals: Inside the Firm” – Film profiling the 1200 servants, consultants, advisors, and guards working for Britain’s House of Windsor.
- “Royals and Animals: Til Death Do Us Part”– Documenting the extraordinary relationship between the Windsors and their animals, including the late Queen Elizabeth II’s beloved Pembroke Welsh Corgis.
- “Royal Britain: An Aerial History of the Monarchy” – Chronicling the history of the monarchy through the places that bore witness to murder, romance, politics, execution and celebration.
- “Monarchy with David Starkey”– Leading historian on the British monarchy, Dr. David Starkey, tells the epic story of the oldest surviving political institution in Europe.
- “Hidden Britain by Drone” – Series exploring the secrets of Britain, from hidden bunkers to sprawling caves.
- “She-wolves: England’s Early Queens” – History of England’s early queens from the High Middle Ages through the Late Middle Ages, presented by medieval historian Helen Castor.
- “Aerial Britain” – Stunning aerial photography highlighting quintessential Britain, from its cities and suburbs to countryside towns and villages.
Some programming descriptions are provided by networks.
This story was originally published April 27, 2023 at 7:10 AM with the headline "Documentaries to watch about the life of King Charles, airing before coronation."
