Ep 1. Tragedy and Triumph (1992-2016)

Inside Windsor Castle grants privileged access to the popular royal residence for an unprecedented look behind its notable walls. The first episode, titled Tragedy and Triumph (1992-2016), delves into the significant moments that shaped the monarchy over the course of twenty-five years.

The show starts with the night of the fire at Windsor Castle in November 1992, which shocked the nation. Revealing that it took 15 hours for the fire brigade to put out the flames, the episode explores how the castle was rebuilt from the devastation. It gives a peek behind the scenes of the detailed restoration work and the innovative techniques used, including how the craftsmen have turned to carving unusual trees, to preserve the resident wildlife.

The episode also touches upon the marital struggles of the royal family, which began in the early 1990s and culminated in Charles and Diana's divorce in 1996. It provides an intimate glimpse of the personal struggles that Diana faced as a public figure and how she tried to cope with the pressures of her life behind palace walls. It further explores the aftermath of her death in 1997 and how the royal family came under fire for the way they responded to the tragedy.

The episode goes on to highlight the early years of the new century, marked by both change and continuity. The show reveals how the Queen, despite entering her 80s, continued to undertake official engagements, and how her 2002 Golden Jubilee was a time of national celebration and triumph, evidencing the strong legacy of the monarchy. The episode further chronicles the significant milestones of Prince Charles’s public service, such as the establishment of the Prince’s Trust, which helped change the lives of thousands of young people across the United Kingdom.

This episode takes advantage of the castle's store of archives to give an intimate view of the royal family, including details about the Queen's 80th birthday celebrations in 2006, which featured her journey around the city in an open-top carriage, that could have been a high-risk moment given the current threat level. Inside Windsor Castle also points out the Queen's personal tribute to her late mother in her 2012 diamond jubilee speech, showcasing the monarch’s rare emotions during public appearances.

Finally, the episode concludes by illustrating how, in the run-up to her 90th birthday, the Queen was again the center of national attention in 2016, receiving acknowledgments from around the globe. The episode ends with a reflection on the unchanging popularity of an establishment that has been a feature of British life for over nine hundred years. The strength of tradition and the continuity of family work together to give meaning and purpose to the British monarchy, which will continue to inspire and demonstrate leadership at home and abroad.