Episodes
| Episode | Title | First Broadcast | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Act I: Another Year Begun | 20181231 | Michael Chaplin's five-part drama about the death of Queen Victoria. For two weeks the nation stopped in its tracks, mesmerised by the mortality of a little old lady who had sat on the throne for over 60 years. Her children squabbled, her doctors quarrelled, her army bickered and the public were misled and kept in the dark. This is the remarkable story of Queen Victoria's final days and the chaos and confusion surrounding her funeral, told by those who were there. Not many get this close to history. It's 1953 and, on the eve of Elizabeth II's coronation, the BBC interviews Queen Victoria's dresser, Winnie Powell, who takes us on a journey into the past. Based on the book Curtain Down at Her Majesty's, an eyewitness history by Stewart Richards. |
| 02 | Act Ii: The Angel Of Death | 20190101 | As the Kaiser arrives unexpectedly at Osborne House to say farewell to his Grandmamma, the Queen breathes her last surrounded by her children and grandchildren. Not many get this close to history. Michael Chaplin's continuing drama about the death of Queen Victoria. Based on the book Curtain Down at Her Majesty's, an eyewitness history by Stewart Richards. For two weeks the nation stopped in its tracks, mesmerised by the mortality of a little old lady who had sat on the throne for over 60 years. Her children squabbled, her doctors quarrelled, her army bickered and the public were misled and kept in the dark. This is the remarkable story of Queen Victoria's final days and the chaos and confusion surrounding her funeral, told by those who were there. |
| 03 | Act Iii: A Country In Mourning | 20190102 | The country grinds to a halt as Bertie is proclaimed King and the Royal household squabbles over the funeral arrangements. Not many get this close to history. Michael Chaplin's continuing drama about the death of Queen Victoria. Based on the book Curtain Down at Her Majesty's, an eyewitness history by Stewart Richards. For two weeks the nation stopped in its tracks, mesmerised by the mortality of a little old lady who had sat on the throne for over 60 years. Her children squabbled, her doctors quarrelled, her army bickered and the public were misled and kept in the dark. This is the remarkable story of Queen Victoria's final days and the chaos and confusion surrounding her funeral, told by those who were there. Old Winnie Powell |
| 04 | Act Iv: Chaos And Confusion | 20190103 | The Queen's secret burial instructions are carried out as chaos looms over the country's largest ever state funeral. Not many get this close to history. Michael Chaplin's continuing drama about the death of Queen Victoria. Based on the book Curtain Down at Her Majesty's, an eyewitness history by Stewart Richards. For two weeks the nation stopped in its tracks, mesmerised by the mortality of a little old lady who had sat on the throne for over 60 years. Her children squabbled, her doctors quarrelled, her army bickered and the public were misled and kept in the dark. This is the remarkable story of Queen Victoria's final days and the chaos and confusion surrounding her funeral, told by those who were there. Old Winnie Powell |
| 05 | Act V: Rest In Peace | 20190104 | A full military state funeral almost ends in disaster as the Queen's coffin topples on the gun carriage and a royal tradition is born. Not many get this close to history. Conclusion of Michael Chaplin's drama about the death of Queen Victoria. Based on the book Curtain Down at Her Majesty's, an eyewitness history by Stewart Richards. For two weeks the nation stopped in its tracks, mesmerised by the mortality of a little old lady who had sat on the throne for over 60 years. Her children squabbled, her doctors quarrelled, her army bickered and the public were misled and kept in the dark. This is the remarkable story of Queen Victoria's final days and the chaos and confusion surrounding her funeral, told by those who were there. Old Winnie Powell |