Behind the Scenes at the Coronation - Boxing Day

[MrsLeonFarrell]

I love things that go behind the scenes at special events or show how TV programmes are made, or explain stuff I don't know about how stuff is organised. I'm the person who watches behind the scenes clips on YouTube! I know it won't be completely candid because the cameras are there but I'm still looking forward to it.

So I thought I'd start a fun thread asking what burning but trivial question would you like to see the answer to?

Mine - do royals have bladders of iron or do they build secret loo breaks into the schedule of big events?

What a fascinating programme. I liked Anne's contributions, and thought it was interesting that she was pleased that both her and her brother had done drama at school, getting used to being on stage, learning lines and directions, presenting themselves. It's very much theatre.
I liked William being a bit silly and tickling his Dad's cheek!

I really enjoyed it and it was interesting seeing all the work and people involved. The monarchy is so much more than a family. KC has turned his image around and now seems like such a kind person. Also laughed when Anne said she knew Camilla 'on and off for years'. How does that work?

And I've recalled where she said it (the subconscious is an amazing thing). In her book about Louis XIV 'The Sun King' Mitford was talking about the lack of toilet facilities in 17c Versailles and confirmed that when she was presented the facilities at BP weren't much better.

Bet you all wanted to know that.

"KC has turned his image around and now seems like such a kind person."

Jonathan(Sp?) Dimbleby's biography of Charles was likely to have some bias towards Charles 😃but if I remember correctly he was described as a kind boy when he was at his prep school, by a teacher/headmaster.

It's interesting, isn't it, how he was ahead of the curve with conservation and ecology. I remember him being presented as an eccentric, a sort of loon, talking to flowers. He was much mocked.

I liked the story of the two men from Liverpool who had benefitted so much from The Prince's Trust. I'd forgotten just how depressed and deprived some of these areas like Toxteth actually were.

I distinctly remember that at the time of Louis VIX people barely bothered with chamberpots and just peed in corridors or fountains, so it absolutely reeked of urine.

Um I presume you weren't actually there at the time (although your UN might fit, @CeciledeVolangesdeNouveau!)?

i wouldn't go that far. but thats another thread.

I did wonder if kate curtseys in private.

It was also mentioned in Downton Abbey when Rose was presented.

Her friend said she hoped she wouldn't need to go as it was just a chamber pot behind a screen.

I assume it all comes from Nancy Mitford bows down to her from whence my username comes!

It was wonderful but I think the sisters comment at the end regarding Camilla not being a person who has huge highs and lows was unfortunate.

The Princess Royal is said to have known Andrew Parker Bowls in the biblical sense so that may account for their being times Anne and Camilla weren’t in touch.

Or perhaps there were periods in their life when their paths didn’t cross because they were busy.

that was so mean and obvious lol

@Samcro yes. It was. But it’s just goes to show Diana must still be a thorn in their side if they couldn’t resist saying it.

It really was a blot on the whole programme.

Hahaha @JanglyBeads i could have phrased that one better! I think it was from an Antonia Fraser book about how uncouth Marie Antoinette found Versailles on arrival - all the wigs infested with lice and worn for weeks, women carrying tiny dogs in their skirts, eating with their hands etc. The thing about peeing in fountains just struck me particularly because when you visit today it’s all so pristine and elegant!

Why? It's how some people feel about them? I see Jimmy Saville's mate, greed and selfishness when I look at Charles.

Entirely agree along with the liar who promised us a slimmed down monarchy and an unfussy coronation yet went on to spend eye-wateringly unnecessary amounts of public money on his own party.

I looked on iplayer for this programme. I found Behind the Scenes at the Coronation but couldn't figure out why none of the bits mentioned on this thread were in it. It's because that's a different programme. The one being discussed here is Charles III: The Coronation Year. Just thought I'd clarify for anyone else wanting to find it! I'm enjoying it immensely! The behind the scenes one was interesting too though.

Thanks, @Caaarrrl - I didn't realise there were two different programmes. What's the "behind the scenes" one like?

Short, so not much detail. Focuses more on the TV crews and the mechanics of preparing for the Coronation. Interesting.

Ok, thanks. This one certainly had a lot of interesting details.

Just watched on iplayer as nobody else here would be interested. I loved it. The embroidery was so beautiful. Not a single mention of the King's younger son, I noticed, but frankly who can blame them.

Now watching behind the scenes programme, which I missed before. I did see the lovely Patrick Grant programme about the tailoring work getting all the ceremonial uniforms ready. Strongly recommended.

It's fascinating to watch the family interacting behind the scenes. Given the crap that's spewed out about them, it was nice to see genuine warmth and affection between the King and Prince William. Such a lovely moment when they practised the kiss and PW tickled his father's cheek.

That was a brilliant programme. That family business was amazing!

👏 agree totally.