The Queen at 90,
Sunday, 8pm, ABCTV
THANKS to Brexit, the United Kingdom is very very much in the news at the moment, as is the woman who has been the face of the country for almost 70 years.
Queen Elizabeth II has also been in the news a lot this year – celebrating her 90th birthday.
This 90-minute landmark program, is narrated by another woman of the hour – celebrated actress Olivia Coleman. Coleman is among the favourites to pick up an Emmy this year for her work in the Night Manager (and probably a Bafta or two to join the ones for Broadchurch). She is currently filming the third and final series of Broadchurch in the UK.
With the Queen recently celebrating her 90th birthday (a couple of times) during the last year cameras have been granted close access to the work of Her Majesty and other members of the Royal Family across both the United Kingdom and overseas.
The Queen at 90 includes individual contributions from many key figures in her life, including Their Royal Highnesses: The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry, The Duke of York, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, The Countess of Wessex and Peter Phillips.
In addition, leading national and international figures feature, including soon-to-be former Prime Minister David Cameron, along with famous faces from the world of sport and entertainment, and material from the most comprehensive international film archives.
The documentary gives viewers a chance to see Her Majesty attending and hosting various events, including a reception for the Rugby World Cup and the Chinese state visit, as well as working and relaxing at home.
It also features interviews with some of her family.
Speaking about Her Majesty, HRH The Prince of Wales says: “I said to my mother the other day, do you realise that when you reach 90 I shall have known you for 68 years, she had to laugh a little bit.”
He continued: “When you think that all these years the Queen has been on throne, that in itself is a huge achievement, coping with so many different challenges and complications and always being there really in that remarkable way – steadfast.”
The film aims to offer a fresh insight into the monarch’s life and work; a remarkable story of an extraordinary life which in so many ways reflects the changing face of Britain.
It was considered a landmark program celebrating The Queen’s 90th birthday and rated well across the UK. With William and Kate and the other young royals breathing fresh life into the institution it will be interesting to see how it rates here and if the recent Brexit vote starts Australian talking about a republic again.
– Tania Phillips
