True Royalty TV

‘Reinventing the Royals’ on True Royalty TV

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

 

The House of Windsor has been through some major disruptions and turmoil the last few decades. Reinventing the Royals is an educational documentary explaining how their relationship with the media has had its ups and downs and how they managed to survive some of the tragic events.

First of all, the death of Diana was a shock to the world as well as the royal family. This unexpected tragedy shone a spotlight on the relationship between the press and the royals. While being chased by paparazzi Diana’s car crashed and she subsequently died from her injuries. The set of circumstances surrounding the crash led her two sons to blame the media for their mother’s death. The hatred toward the media mounted not only in their own lives, but also in the UK.

Camilla’s relationship with Charles was brought front and center as a result of this tragedy. So how did the family and indeed the Commonwealth come to accept her? It was all done through careful and cunning planning by Mark Bolland, a spin-doctor hired by Charles to help Camilla’s public image thereby winning the affection of the people.

The press also had a pact with the royals to lessen their intrusion into the personal lives of the young members of the family, namely William and Harry. This was carefully crafted and allowed William to enjoy a pretty normal life in school.

To see how all of these events were staged and how the public was given enough information about the family without going over the line but also granting them personal privacy, watch this documentary. It is a good lesson in crafting image as well as mediating agreements to shelter –to some degree – the people who have had their lives scrutinized both personally and publically. With the advent of the Internet things have changed even more, but there are still rules in place that were agreed to long ago by the British press. In this age where everyone has a camera and can post truth and lies online, it is difficult to have total privacy. With public interest at a peak, it behooves everyone to have perspective on what they put out into the world.

Reinventing the Royals is available on True Royalty TV.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 25 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA. Follow her on Twitter.

Discover more about Queen Victoria in a new 3-part series

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

 

True Royalty TV, a leading streaming service for history and royalty, has released a series about Queen Victoria. Queen Victoria: In Her Own Words sheds light on the thoughts and feelings of this monarch.

Through her journals, in which she wrote practically every day, viewers get up close and personal with Victoria. She writes about her inner feelings upon first meeting Albert, then how her heart raced when she met him for the second time. In the beginning he was a bit of a wuss, as one historian describes. But he outgrew that and upon his return to Britain he was more of a man. And this man stole Victoria’s heart.

She comes across as being extremely sensual and sexual and her writing is, at times, blunt about her desires. Let’s face it, she had nine children so she definitely enjoyed the pleasures of her husband.

Viewers learn about her life as a young child and how she grew up in what was called “The Kensington System,” in which she was shielded from people and harm and only allowed to sleep with her mother. Her mother knew one day Victoria would be queen so there was no way she was going to subject her daughter to any potential harm in any way. The poor little child was forced to hold the hand of someone when she descended the stairs. Her life was not her own.

Then one night she became the Queen of England, and this young woman began to take control of her own life. Although her first years as sovereign were turbulent, it was when she married Albert that her reign truly took off.

The couple shared a passion and joy for life and upon his death her state of mind was truly bereft. She retreated from the public’s eye and wore black until her death. Victoria was devastated by the loss of Albert but went on later in her life to have two additional relationships. These are also documented in the film.

Victoria and Albert were responsible for creating a dynasty that spread over Europe. Her children were married off to royals in other countries where they hoped by joining the countries through marriage, peace would take hold. But that was not to be, as we know.

This is a fascinating biography because not only does it entail the insights and facts from historians, but it also shows Victoria’s own thoughts and words from her personal journals. As an actor reads the words, Victoria’s life comes back to life and we get a better sense of the young girl who grew into a formidable woman.

Queen Victoria: In Her Own Words is available now to stream on True Royalty TV.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 25 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association, was a longstanding member of the Los Angeles Press Club, and is accredited by the MPAA. Follow her on Twitter.

‘The Queen Mother’s Blitz’ looks at this extraordinary woman

Posted on by Francine Brokaw


Queen Elizabeth II is the last leader who served in World War II. Her family famously refused to give into any fear thrust upon the country by Hitler. Her mother, Queen Elizabeth aka the Queen Mother, stood valiantly by her husband the king during the war years and during the famous London Blitz she showed her inner strength and courage.

The documentary The Queen Mother’s Blitz looks at this woman and delves into her courage, which lifted up the country during that horrible time. She refused to leave Buckingham Palace even though the advisors suggested she go to Canada to wait out the war. She said steadfastly that her daughters (Elizabeth and Margaret) would not leave without her and she would not leave without the king, and the king was definitely not going to leave. This is similar to what Jacqueline Kennedy said during the Cuban Missile Crisis when she was advised to leave the East Coast in case of a nuclear attack. She said she would go out on the front lawn of the White House with her children if a launch were detected. In this way she also held up the morale of the country.

Hitler once said the Queen Mother was the most dangerous woman in the world. Her intelligence, cunning, wit, and dedication to freedom endeared her to the nation. She definitely showed her mettle during the blitz. She survived assassination attempts and the bombing of Buckingham Palace. She went out into the streets to be with the public. She showed that she, although privileged to be in her position, was just as much a target as the rest of the population.

The documentary is a look at how her words and actions lifted up the country and the morale of the people of not only the U.K. but also the world. With Hitler advancing through Europe, Britain stood firm. And the king was a source of consistency for the country. Standing right next to him was Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Consort, aka the Queen Mother.

The Queen Mother’s Blitz is available to stream on True Royalty TV.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 25 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association, was a longstanding member of the Los Angeles Press Club, and is accredited by the MPAA. Follow her on Twitter.

‘Meghan for President?’

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

True Royalty TV looks at the life and ambitions of the Duchess of Sussex in this new film Meghan for President? There is no doubt the newest member of the royal family is mixing things up and doing things her own way. But could a run for the presidency of the United States be in her future?

As a young girl Meghan took on causes that meant something to her. She has always been a voice for the underdog and a feminist striving to break down injustices. As a Duchess she is continuing her work and doing things her own way, much like her mother-in-law, the late Princess Diana.

But Meghan is a citizen of the United States and many people thing that if things go the way she wants, a bid for the highest job in the land could be in the offing. She is too far down the line to become Queen of England. And even if that were to ever happen, which is super highly unlikely, as Queen she wouldn’t have the authority to make the changes she desires. But as president, well, that is another story.

While it is a little far-fetched to think of Meghan Markel running for the presidency, the opportunity is not out of the question. As those around her admit, what she puts her mind to, she gets.

The new show on True Royalty gives viewers an interesting look at this woman who has catapulted herself to being one of the most talked-about women in the world. As a divorced American, a bi-racial woman, and a former actress, Meghan has already defied the ways of the U.K. Only a half century ago she would never have had the opportunity to marry her prince. But times have changed. Have they changed enough for a Princess/Duchess to add President to her resume?

Watch True Royalty TV for this and more shows about the royal family.