Watch The Queen's Palaces

The Queen's Palaces is a 3-part documentary series that first aired on BBC One in 2011. The series is presented by Fiona Bruce, an experienced journalist and presenter, who takes viewers on a fascinating tour of some of the most impressive historic royal palaces in England. The series is produced with an aim to explore the history and secrets of the palaces which are not only the symbols of power but hold great cultural significance.

In each episode, Fiona Bruce is accompanied by an expert in the field of history and architecture, Kathryn Jones or Juliet Gardiner, who add their professional expertise to the exploration. Together, they uncover fascinating stories and notable events from the past that shaped the architecture and furnishings of these palaces.

The first episode of the series starts with a visit to Buckingham Palace in London, the official residence of Queen Elizabeth II. Fiona Bruce and Kathryn Jones explore the palace's rich history, dating back to 1703 when it was originally built by the Duke of Buckingham. The duo uncovers unique and rare artifacts from the palace's collection, including a rare painting of Queen Victoria's coronation, a miniature of a young Princess Elizabeth, and an Indian throne given to Queen Victoria. Viewers also get to see how the palace is maintained and how it has been improved and expanded over the years to accommodate royal activities and events.

The second episode of the series takes Fiona Bruce and architectural historian Juliet Gardiner to the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, Scotland. The palace is famous for being the home of Mary, Queen of Scots, shortly before her imprisonment and subsequent execution. In this episode, viewers are treated to stunning footage of Scotland's capital city, as well as a detailed exploration of the palace's impressive architecture, artwork, and furnishings. The episode also raises some intriguing questions, including whether the notorious murder of Mary's private secretary, David Rizzio, still lingers in the palace's atmosphere.

The final episode of the series is set at Hampton Court Palace, located just southwest of London. This palace was one of Henry VIII's principal residences, and it has an impressive collection of Tudor and Baroque architecture. Fiona Bruce and Kathryn Jones explore the palace's intriguing history, which includes famous personalities like Cardinal Wolsey and William Shakespeare. They particularly focus on the Tudor palace kitchens which could feed over 600 palace guests in one sitting. The impressive palace gardens, which were a particular passion of Henry VIII's queen, Catherine Parr, are also given attention in this episode.

Overall, The Queen's Palaces is an engaging and informative look into the rich cultural history and impressive architecture of England's most iconic royal palaces. Fiona Bruce's presenting style is engaging and knowledgeable, and she guides viewers around the palaces with an infectious sense of enthusiasm. The series successfully blends history, art, and culture, and is sure to appeal to anyone with an interest in royal history. It is clear that the program makers have done their research, and viewers are guaranteed to come away with a deeper appreciation of England's royal heritage.

The Queen's Palaces is a series that is currently running and has 1 seasons (3 episodes). The series first aired on September 12, 2011.