In the four-part series, Dame Penelope Keith, host of PENELOPE KEITH'S HIDDEN VILLAGES, travels across the United Kingdom and escorts viewers behind the closed doors of Queen Elizabeth's royal residences.
Each episode focuses on one of the famous castles of the British royal family: Windsor in London, Hollyrood and Inverary in Scotland, Hillsborough in Northern Ireland, and Caernarfon in Wales.
At every stop, Penelope gains access to rooms not typically seen by tourists and witnesses the daily life of palace staff.
She also encounters unique household positions including a royal herb strewer, a harpist, and a falconer and finds out what it takes to keep a castle running smoothly.
EPISODE GUIDE:
Episode 1: “Windsor” repeats Sunday, Dec. 16 at 11 p.m. on KPBS TV + Tuesday, Dec. 18 at 10 p.m. on KPBS 2 - At the Queen's much-loved Windsor Castle, Penelope finds out about the Knights of the Garter, visits the Royal Herb Strewer and she joins the Queen's Bargemaster for a trip along the River Thames.
Episode 2: “Inveraray and Holyroodhouse“ repeats Sunday, Dec. 23 at 11 p.m. on KPBS TV + Tuesday, Dec. 25 at 10 p.m. - Penelope's tour continues through Scotland at Inveraray and Holyroodhouse, where she visits the bedchamber of Mary Queen of Scots. She also meets the Royal Falconer at Borthwick Castle.
Episode 3: “Hillsborough Castle“ repeats Sunday, Dec. 30 at 11 p.m. on KPBS TV + Tuesday, Jan. 1 at 10 p.m. on KPBS 2 - In Northern Ireland, Penelope meets the Queen's bugler and uncovers an unexpected treasure dating back to the Coronation.
Episode 4: “Caernarfon Castle“ broadcast TBA - On the final leg of her journey, Penelope visits Caernarfon Castle in Wales, where she meets a royal harpist, champion dog breeders and is serenaded by a male choir.
Distributed by American Public Television.
