Queen Elizabeth II: Her Story, Our Century - new documentary to explore a century of change through the prism of Queen Elizabeth II’s life

The BBC will mark what would have been the 100th birthday of Queen Elizabeth II with a special one-hour documentary, Queen Elizabeth II: Her Story, Our Century. The film explores the life and legacy of Britain’s longest-reigning monarch, reflecting not only on the woman behind the Crown but on a century of transformation in Britain and beyond.

Spanning an era that saw the nation move from the age of Empire to the rise of celebrity culture — from the Blitz to the 2012 London Olympics — Queen Elizabeth II lived through extraordinary change. More than a witness to history, she became an enduring symbol of continuity in a rapidly evolving world. Through the prism of her life, the documentary tells the story of modern Britain in a richly historical and emotionally resonant exploration of both The Queen and the people she served.

Featuring contributions from Dame Helen Mirren, Barack Obama, Sir David Attenborough, Dame Sheila Hancock and HM Queen Camilla, among others, the film brings together a remarkable range of voices. Personal memories of meeting The Queen sit alongside reflections on the profound social and cultural shifts that shaped the century of her reign, offering intimate insight into both the monarch and the world she helped to shape.

Blending powerful archive with compelling new interviews and contemporary reflection, the film connects Queen Elizabeth II’s personal story with the sweeping forces that defined the last hundred years.

Catherine Catton, Head of Factual Entertainment and Events says: “Queen Elizabeth II: Her Story, Our Century explores the life of her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II through the lens of a century of change and offers an important reflection on how modern Britain has been shaped.”

Queen Elizabeth II: Her Story, Our Century is a 1 × 60’ documentary for BBC One and iPlayer, produced by BBC Studios Events. It was commissioned for the BBC by Catherine Catton. The Commissioning Editor is Cal Turner. For BBC Studios, the Executive Producer is Dominique Walker, the Director is Rosie Schellenberg and the Producer is Emily Dance.

Transmission for Queen Elizabeth II: Her Story, Our Century will be announced in due course.

MJ

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