This film is part of Free
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_480x270/public/hero-images/RoyalChildren_3-1920.jpg?itok=5q-AvIaR)
Royal Children
In spite of the ‘ordinary, happy childhood’ insisted by the commentary, hindsight makes the film a rather poignant experience.
Overview
Even the most devout monarchist may feel uncomfortable watching Royal Children - hindsight makes the film, a compilation of newsreels sponsored by the Commonwealth Relations Office, a rather poignant experience. Although clearly intended as a hymn to royal life, with a panting narration describing the bliss Charles, Anne and Andrew are experiencing (the film was made three years before the birth of Edward), the images tell a different story - only a couple of shots feature the children smiling, while the first glimpse of Andrew as a baby, a spotlight shining on his face as photographers snap away, is a faintly sinister symbol of the royals’ lack of privacy from birth. The knowledge that a future of divorce and tabloid scandal would tarnish these children's adult lives adds irony to this snapshot of supposed utopia.
Charles is the main focus of the film’s attention. In spite of the ‘ordinary, happy childhood’ insisted by the commentary, it is the surreal nature of the ceremonies he attends, notably watching his mother being crowned when he was just four years old, that linger in the mind. The shots of Charles smiling shyly for the cameras at Gordonstoun have an added pathos, owing to subsequent rumours that he was the victim of bullying. The ‘friends’ with whom these ‘normal’ children spend time are a strange mix of adult volunteer guards who they have known for just a few days, the Queen Mother, and President Eisenhower, ‘a great favourite’. Fortunately there are moments when Charles and Anne are seen doing things a child might actually enjoy, such as bumping dodgems at the funfair (albeit with minders) or feeding the Barbary apes when welcoming their mother back from a royal tour. Anne’s later equestrian talents are predicted by her early love of horses, with the children seen patting ponies named Greensleeves and William. Monarchists are treated to a sneak peek at life behind royal walls, from walking with the corgis at Balmoral and playing polo at Windsor to sailing in the then-new Royal Yacht Britannia.
Related
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/promo259886260.jpg?itok=4UbyV1ah)
Governor's Notebook 1 Governor's Notebook 1
Amateur film 1953 2 mins Silent Location: Stormont
An unforgettable day for Lady Wakehurst as the glamorous new monarch delights the crowds at Stormont
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/promo259437145.jpg?itok=hmfRXdJj)
Royal Visit to Bearsden June 1965 Royal Visit to Bearsden June 1965
Amateur film 1965 11 mins Location: Bearsden
The Queen and Prince Philip enjoy a day out in the Glasgow suburbs in this sumptuous 1960s amateur film, complete with pipe band, flag-waving schoolchildren and very big hats.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/promo259437176.jpg?itok=isiOynxB)
Stranraer Royal Visit 1955 Stranraer Royal Visit 1955
Non-Fiction 1955 11 mins Silent Location: Stranraer
Visit Stranraer, Dumfries and Galloway, with a Royal accompaniment as the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh visit in 1955, enjoying an agricultural show and pageant along the way.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/N_446816_01of01.jpg?itok=SXQuNVaC)
Jubilee Jubilee
Current affairs 1977 13 mins Location: Bath
A special report looks into the preparations for the Queen’s Silver Jubilee and her subsequent tour of the South West.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/SierraLeonneGreetQ_3-1920.jpg?itok=cxT1wuLd)
Sierra Leone Greets the Queen Sierra Leone Greets the Queen
Government sponsored film 1961 21 mins
The Queen and Prince Philip's visit in late 1961, the year Sierra Leone became independent from Britain.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/RoyalDestiny_4-1920.jpg?itok=RV4HJIJB)
Royal Destiny Royal Destiny
Documentary 1953 17 mins
Produced by British Movietone for “Her Majesty’s Central Office of Information”, Royal Destiny traces Queen Elizabeth II’s young life up to her ascension to the throne.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/5abf952c-e2ec-432d-a9a2-12fdd5bd2d9b.jpg?itok=qwVoBsNn)
Baltimore Q&A Baltimore Q&A
Short interview 2024 28 mins
Directors Christine Molloy and Joe Lawlor dig deep into their thrilling biopic Baltimore, in discussion with Nadia M Oliva.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/image_0.jpg?itok=kuLgDrxs)
Joanna Scanlan - Exclusive Q&A Joanna Scanlan - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 51 mins
Actor and writer Joanna Scanlan talks to Mia Bays, director of the BFI's Filmmaking Fund, about her career in film and television.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/baldwins_nigger_1920.jpg?itok=mdVknguo)
Baldwin's N***** Baldwin's N*****
Documentary 1969 44 mins
Horace Ové's striking portrait of the American writer James Baldwin at his sharp-witted best addressing a group of radical West Indian students in 1960s London.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/Shoot-Your-Shot-02.jpg?itok=KREdlpBS)
Shoot Your Shot Shoot Your Shot
Drama 2022 12 mins
An emotional stand-off takes flight, as teen best friends Ronit and Brennan come to terms with navigating that fuzzy feeling in their stomachs, all whilst learning to skateboard.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/%25E2%2580%258ELook-Like-You-02.jpeg?itok=2R3w9luT)
Look Like You Look Like You
Drama 2022 13 mins
While visiting the adoptive family of her eight-year-old biological son, Tara relays advice she gathered from growing up as a queer outcast.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/Yellow-04.jpg?itok=Bt5NDkC8)
Yellow Yellow
Drama 2023 13 mins
In Taliban controlled Afghanistan, Laili walks into a Chadari store in Kabul to buy her first full body veil from a Talib shopkeeper and face a new future.