Britain in Color Season 1 Episode 1 Royalty
- TV-PG
- November 17, 2019
- 48 min
Britain in Color takes viewers on a journey to the past with a unique angle- it showcases never-seen-before colored footage of important events and people in British history. Season 1 episode 1, titled Royalty, dives into the regal world of the British monarchy and offers a mesmerizing glimpse into the evolution of British royalty, dating back to the early 1900s.
The episode starts off with a picturesque scene of Buckingham Palace, with the narrator setting the scene of how the monarchy constantly evolves and adapts to changing times. The first few minutes of the episode offer a glimpse of the private lives of the royals, with colored footage of the then-sitting monarchs- King Edward VII, Queen Alexandra, and their son Prince George. The footage, taken from their private lives, offers a unique perspective of what life was like for royals in the early 1900s and how they were adapting to modernity.
Next up, the attention shifts to King George V- the paternal grandfather of Queen Elizabeth II, and his reign in the early 1900s. The colored footage of the king’s coronation gives the viewers a sense of grandeur and majesty of the occasion, and the attention to detail in the colorization is commendable. The footage of the king and his queen, Mary of Teck, dressed in their royal robes, is a visual delight.
Moving on, the episode also goes into the personal lives of the erstwhile royals, with colored footage of their holidays, sporting events, and their interactions with the public. One such footage captures King George V and his wife Queen Mary watching the Royal Ascot, and the duo interacting with the commoners.
The next segment of the show goes into the abdication crisis- one of the key moments of British history in the 20th century. Colored footages of the then Prince George (later, King George VI) and his wife, Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, showcase their struggles and the impact of the crisis on the British monarchy. The viewers get to witness the significant moment when King Edward VIII formally relinquishes his throne, and Prince George is proclaimed the new king.
The colorized version of King George VI’s coronation is a spectacle to behold, with the exquisitely detailed footage showcasing the majesty of the then-king’s coronation. The segment also goes into the role of the queen mother, Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, in building the morale of the commoners during the Second World War and her critical role in supporting her husband during his reign as the king.
The episode also covers Queen Elizabeth II’s ascension to the throne, following the death of her father, King George VI. The colored footage of her coronation showcases the traditional rites and rituals observed during the crown-wearing ceremony, and the minute attention to detail in colorizing the footage makes the event come to life.
Another fascinating aspect of the episode is the colored footage of the Queen’s 1953 tour of the Commonwealth countries, arguably the most extensive tour undertaken by a British monarch. The footage captures the Queen’s interactions and experiences with the people of the Commonwealth countries, and showcases the importance of the British monarchy in uniting the different countries and cultures.
The episode concludes with the present-day royal family- including the Queen, Prince Philip, Prince Charles, and Princess Diana, giving the viewers an insight into the evolution of the British monarchy, from the early 1900s to the current era.
Overall, Britain in Color Season 1 Episode 1, Royalty, is an immersive experience that takes the viewers through a journey of the British monarchy, showcasing never-seen-before colored footage of important moments in the British history. The attention to detail in colorizing the footages is commendable, making the events come to life, and overall an engrossing watch for history buffs and fans of British royalty alike.