Have you ever wondered why we can't seem to get enough of royal drama? Whether it's a fairytale wedding, a shocking scandal, or a Netflix series that leaves us glued to our screens, the British royal family has a magnetic pull on our culture that's hard to ignore.

The truth is, this obsession didn't just happen overnight. It was built one unforgettable moment at a time, transforming royalty from something distant and untouchable into the ultimate source of real-life drama that Hollywood keeps trying to recreate.

From groundbreaking television broadcasts that changed how we consume media to tragedies that united the world in grief, certain pivotal events fundamentally rewired how we think about monarchy. Here are the 12 moments that turned the royal family into entertainment gold.

1. The 1936 Abdication Crisis

King Edward VIII announced his abdication in a radio broadcast on the evening of Dec.11, 1936. The broadcast was carried by the BBC and relayed across the British Empire, reaching millions of listeners. In his speech, he referred to his inability to carry on the "heavy burden of responsibility" without the support of the woman he loved, Wallis Simpson, an American divorcée.​

Edward had become king on Jan.20, 1936, following the death of his father, George V, and therefore reigned for approximately 326 days. After the abdication, his younger brother, the Duke of York, ascended the throne as King George VI. Edward was given the title Duke of Windsor and left Britain shortly afterward.

2. George VI's 1937 Coronation

The coronation of George VI and Queen Elizabeth (later known as the Queen Mother) took place at Westminster Abbey on May 12, 1937. The date had originally been set for Edward VIII's coronation, but was kept after his abdication. The ceremony followed traditional coronation rites, including the anointing, crowning, and homage by peers.​

The BBC provided radio coverage and also carried out one of the earliest live television experiments linked to a royal event. Three television cameras were positioned at Hyde Park Corner to capture parts of the procession. The images were transmitted to the small number of television sets then in existence in the London area, reaching an estimated 50,000 viewers.

Cameras were not permitted inside the Abbey, so television images were limited to exterior shots of the royal coach, mounted troops, and crowds lining the route. Newsreel companies such as British Pathé filmed the event on film for cinema newsreels, which were widely shown in the days following the coronation.​

3. Queen Elizabeth II's 1953 Coronation

Queen Elizabeth II was crowned at Westminster Abbey on June 2, 1953. The ceremony lasted nearly three hours and followed the traditional order of service: recognition, oath, anointing, crowning, enthronement, and homage. Around 8,000 guests filled specially built seating inside the Abbey. Outside, large crowds gathered along the procession route despite rainy weather.​

For the first time, television cameras were allowed inside the Abbey for a coronation. The BBC deployed more than 20 cameras and hundreds of staff to cover both the ceremony and the procession. An estimated 27 million people in the United Kingdom watched the broadcast on television, while the UK population at the time was about 36 million. Many households bought or rented television sets specifically for the event; some families and neighbours gathered around a single set in living rooms and local halls.

Radio coverage was also extensive, and newsreel footage was distributed internationally.

To speed delivery of the film to North America, RAF Canberra jet bombers carried recorded footage (kinescopes) across the Atlantic so that U.S. and Canadian audiences could see the coronation within hours.​

4. Grace Kelly's 1956 Wedding

American actress Grace Kelly, who had won the Academy Award for Best Actress for "The Country Girl" (1954), married Prince Rainier III of Monaco in April 1956. The wedding celebrations included two ceremonies: a civil wedding on April 18 in the Throne Room of the Prince's Palace and a religious ceremony on April 19 at Saint Nicholas Cathedral in Monaco.​

Kelly wore a wedding gown designed by MGM costume designer Helen Rose, made of silk taffeta, tulle, and antique Brussels lace, with a fitted bodice, high neckline, long sleeves, and a full skirt. The dress required dozens of seamstresses and weeks of work.

Around 600 guests attended the religious ceremony, including representatives from European royal families and Hollywood figures. Approximately 30 million viewers in Europe watched the wedding on television. MGM filmed and distributed footage as part of its news and promotional material, fulfilling obligations under Kelly's studio contract. After the wedding, Kelly ended her film career and became the Princess of Monaco.​

5. Princess Margaret's 1960 Wedding

Princess Margaret, the younger sister of Queen Elizabeth II, married photographer Antony Armstrong-Jones (later Earl of Snowdon) on May 6, 1960, at Westminster Abbey. She arrived at the Abbey in the Glass Coach and wore a silk organza gown designed by Norman Hartnell, featuring a full skirt and fitted bodice. Armstrong-Jones, a commoner and professional photographer, wore morning dress.​

This was the first royal wedding to be broadcast live on television.

6. Charles and Diana's 1981 Wedding

Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer were married on July 29, 1981, at St. Paul's Cathedral in London. The choice of St. Paul's, rather than the traditional Westminster Abbey, allowed for a larger congregation of around 3,500 guests. Diana wore an ivory silk taffeta and antique lace gown designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel, with a 25-foot train and a dramatic veil held by the Spencer family tiara.

An estimated 750 million viewers watched the ceremony worldwide via television broadcasts in more than 70 countries. In the United Kingdom, around 39 million viewers tuned in, making it one of the most-watched broadcasts in British history. Approximately 600,000 people lined the processional route in central London.

7. Princess Diana's 1997 Death

On August 31, 1997, Princess Diana died following a car crash in the Pont de l'Alma tunnel in Paris. She had been travelling with Dodi Fayed and their driver, Henri Paul; Fayed and Paul also died in the crash. French emergency services transported Diana to the Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, where she was pronounced dead in the early hours of the morning.​

News of the crash and her death spread rapidly across international media. In the UK, television networks interrupted scheduled programming to provide rolling coverage. The BBC officially announced her death at 6:00 AM on August 31. Her funeral took place on September 6, 1997, at Westminster Abbey.

8. "The Queen" (2006)

"The Queen," directed by Stephen Frears, was released in 2006. The film focuses on the period immediately following Princess Diana's death in 1997 and depicts Queen Elizabeth II, Prime Minister Tony Blair, and other figures responding to events. Helen Mirren portrays Queen Elizabeth II; Michael Sheen plays Tony Blair.​

The film premiered at the Venice Film Festival, where Mirren won the Volpi Cup for Best Actress. It subsequently received critical acclaim and numerous awards. At the 79th Academy Awards, Mirren won the Oscar for Best Actress for her performance in the film. The film also received nominations for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, Best Costume Design, and Best Original Score. Worldwide, "The Queen" grossed approximately $123 million against an estimated production budget of about $15 million.

9. "The King's Speech" (2010)

"The King's Speech," directed by Tom Hooper, was released in 2010. The film stars Colin Firth as King George VI, Geoffrey Rush as speech therapist Lionel Logue, and Helena Bonham Carter as Queen Elizabeth (the Queen Mother). The story covers George VI's struggle with a stutter and the preparations for his wartime radio broadcasts at the beginning of World War II.​

The film was produced on a reported budget of about £8 million. It premiered at the Telluride and Toronto film festivals, where it attracted strong critical attention. Internationally, it earned more than £250 million at the box office. At the 83rd Academy Awards, "The King's Speech" received 12 nominations. It won four Oscars: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor (Firth), and Best Original Screenplay. It also won several BAFTA Awards, including Best Film and Best Actor.

10. "The Crown" (2016–2023)

"The Crown," created by Peter Morgan, is a Netflix drama series that premiered in November 2016. The series chronicles the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, beginning with her marriage to Prince Philip and the death of King George VI. The show uses different casts for different time periods: Claire Foy and Matt Smith portray Elizabeth and Philip in the early seasons; Olivia Colman and Tobias Menzies take over in the middle period; Imelda Staunton and Jonathan Pryce portray them in the later seasons.​

Filming took place in the UK and other locations, using both real stately homes and sets designed to resemble Buckingham Palace and other royal residences. The series ran for six seasons, with the final season released in 2023. It received multiple awards, including Golden Globes and Emmys for acting and overall series categories.

The fifth season, released in November 2022, drew approximately 1.1 million UK viewers on its first day.

Prince Harry has stated in interviews that he has watched parts of the series.

11. William and Kate's 2011 Wedding

Prince William and Catherine Middleton were married on April 29, 2011, at Westminster Abbey. Around 1,900 guests attended the ceremony, including members of the royal family, foreign royals, political leaders, and personal friends. Catherine wore a gown designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, featuring lace appliqué, a fitted bodice, and a full skirt. William wore the red tunic of the Irish Guards.​

The BBC, ITV, Sky, and other broadcasters provided live coverage of the day's events, including the arrivals, the service, the carriage procession, and the balcony appearance at Buckingham Palace. In the UK, nearly 27 million viewers watched the wedding across various channels, with a peak audience of about 26.3 million. In the United States, about 22.8 million viewers watched on 11 different networks.

The event also generated significant online streaming figures: YouTube's official royal channel recorded around 72 million live streams worldwide.

12. Harry and Meghan's 2018 Wedding and 2020 Departure

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle married on May 19, 2018, at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. The guest list included members of the royal family, foreign royals, and numerous public figures from entertainment, sports, and activism. Meghan wore a Givenchy gown designed by Clare Waight Keller, with a boat neckline and a 16-foot veil embroidered with the flora of the Commonwealth countries. The ceremony featured a gospel choir and a sermon by Bishop Michael Curry, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church in the United States.​

On January 8, 2020, Harry and Meghan issued a statement announcing their intention to step back as "senior" members of the royal family and work toward financial independence. The British and international press soon adopted the term "Megxit" to describe this development. Subsequent negotiations with Buckingham Palace led to an agreement under which they ceased using the style "His/Her Royal Highness" in an official capacity and relocated primarily to North America.​

In March 2021, CBS broadcast an interview conducted by Oprah Winfrey with Harry and Meghan. The interview covered their reasons for stepping back, Meghan's mental health struggles, and allegations regarding comments about their son's potential skin colour.

Tags
Royal family, Monarchy, British Monarchy