In the year of her 80th birthday, Queen Elizabeth II granted the filmmakers of MONARCHY: THE ROYAL FAMILY AT WORK an exclusive look inside the modern British monarchy. In this intimate series, viewers join Queen Elizabeth II and the rest of Britain's most famous family as they travel abroad, work at the palace and meet people from all walks of life.
Slideshow: Working at Headquarters
Buckingham palace is the nerve center of the British Monarchy. It serves as the Head of State’s official offices, a museum, a residence and a focal point for national celebrations and important State occasions. Such a large operation takes a diverse and dedicated staff. View photos of some of the people and departments who help keep the monarchy running throughout the year.
The programs follow the queen as she visits the first permanent British settlement in the U.S. and spends time with President Bush at the White House. The cameras roll as she visits the newly democratic Republic of Estonia - where no British monarch has set foot before.
Back in England, the series goes inside Buckingham Palace for exclusive interviews with members of the royal family, preparations for elaborate formal occasions and a behind-the-scenes look at the royal kitchens, royal wine cellar and royal car fleet, and the jobs of footmen, ladies in waiting, the yeomen guard and the crown jeweler.
MONARCHY: THE ROYAL FAMILY AT WORK offers a glimpse behind the velvet curtain to reveal what life is really like as a member of the family firm.
"Headquarters" airs Tuesday, June 26, at 8 p.m. - Buckingham Palace’s 650 rooms form the nerve center of the British monarchy. It’s from here that the queen directs the business of the royal family, entertains heads of state and conducts her private life.
Quiz: Royal Trivia
Test your knowledge of the British Monarchy.
This episode goes beyond the palace gates for a rare glimpse inside. Ghana’s President Kufour and his wife, along with their entourage, have arranged a state visit. The queen’s guests will stay in Buckingham Palace’s 11 royal suites, where meticulous footmen will valet for them, unpacking and pressing each item of clothing and attending to their every need.
For the magnificent banquet, the queen personally reviews the table arrangements, and the royal chef certifies that the presentation of every plate is perfect.
At the queen’s official birthday celebration, thousands of well-wishers gather under the palace balcony while the Royal Air Force flies in formation overhead. After they greet the crowds, members of the House of Windsor head inside for her majesty’s private family party.
“Headquarters” also follows Queen Elizabeth as she prepares for her annual move to Balmoral in Scotland. While she’s gone, 40,000 visitors will tour the royal apartments for a spectacular exhibit of her formal gowns and jewelry, but only after the queen approves the display.
Up Next:
"Head Of State" airs Tuesday, June 26, 2012 at 9 p.m.
"The Queen And Us" airs Monday, July 2, 2012 at 10 p.m.
"Inside The Firm" airs Monday, July 9, 2012 at 10 p.m.
The first two episodes titled, "The State Visit," aired on Tuesday, June 19th.
Watch Monarchy: The Royal Family at Work - Preview on PBS. See more from pbs.
