Lucy Worsley's Royal Myths & Secrets

With the risk of Russia being overrun by Germany and calls for a republic, Nicholas must decide whether he wants to abdicate, ending 300 years of Romanov rule.

Inside their prison called the House for Special Purposes, the Romanov family is brought down to the basement where they are met with bullets and bayonets.

The October Revolution of 1917 has gone down in history as the only Russian Revolution that really mattered. But Lucy Worsley reveals that the earlier revolution in February that year was downplayed in Bolshevik history books and films despite the fact that it was the truly spontaneous popular uprising that swept the Czar from power.

The Prince of Wales' secret wedding to Maria Fitzherbert was not considered legitimate in the eyes or the law because Maria was a Catholic. This caused a huge constitutional problem for George.

Although remembered as "The king who lost America," his subjects were unaware of George's spiral. The public's attention was being diverted to a different political problem.

Lucy Worsley reveals how mental health problems forced King George III to relinquish power to his debauched and extravagant son. Was this really an era of elegance and regal splendor or an age of radicalism and revolution? How were myths and secrets used to save the British monarchy?

Martin Luther, a monk, nailed a document on a church door attacking the Roman Catholic church, believing it to be corrupt. However, Luther had hundreds of volumes of writing detailing his life, but there was no mention of this famous act.

As six of Catherine of Aragon’s seven pregnancies ended in tragedy, Henry VIII's eye started to wander, looking for someone who could bear him a son. Then he met Anne Boleyn.

Join Lucy Worsley on a journey across Europe to visit the incredible locations where royal history was made. From the Spanish Armada to the French Revolution, learn how royal history is a mixture of facts, exaggeration, manipulation and mythology.

Lucy Worsley investigates the inside story of the English Reformation. Was Henry VIII's desire to divorce Catherine of Aragon and marry Anne Boleyn the real reason for England's split from Catholic Europe? Or was a secret political agenda at work behind the scenes?

During the French Revolution, fearing for their lives, the royal family made an attempt to escape Paris. Late at night they headed east in disguise towards the relative safety of the Netherlands. But they were stopped close to the border and brought back to Paris in disgrace. Lucy finds out they were caught because someone recognized the face of the king from a bank note.

Find out why Marie Antoinette is often blamed for causing the French Revolution by saying “let them eat cake” to her starving subjects. Lucy Worsley uncovers the myths and secrets that led the doomed queen to the guillotine.

The trial of Marie Antoinette was largely a show trial. She was found guilty and sentenced to death. Marie Antoinette had time to write a last letter about the love she felt for her children who she would never see again. She was executed on the October 6, 1793. She faced the guillotine with dignity and composure.

Lucy explores the famous myth that Marie Antoinette uttered the phrase “Let them eat cake." As an Austrian royal in the French court she was notorious for her profligacy and her love of fine clothes and parties. And this was partly why she was blamed for being a cause of the French revolution. But just how fair is this?

Lucy describes Queen Anne’s first speech to parliament in 1702. One of her ministers described her as too clumsy and lame to be effective so expectations were low. With the help of Sarah Churchill, Anne arrived immaculately dressed and delivered an impressive speech which charmed both the House of Commons and the House of Lords.

Queen Anne now has a new favorite. Her name is Abigail Masham and she attends to Queen Anne day and night. Sarah Churchill has found herself out in the cold. The close relationship with Abigail has caused a stir. A song commissioned by Sarah Churchill will damage the Queen’s reputation.

Investigate why Queen Anne’s powerful role in the forging of Great Britain has often been forgotten. Lucy Worsley shares the inside story of the salacious gossip about Anne’s love life that helped destroy her image and legacy.

Lucy takes us to Hampton Court Palace where Queen Anne lived. She gives us an insight into what life was like at the palace. Queen Anne was extremely ill and shy and kept herself to herself mainly in the company of her ladies. We also learn how powerful and influential her “favorite," Sarah Churchill, was and how she controlled access to the queen.

We see Lucy as Queen Elizabeth I on her victory procession through the streets of London. The reality of post Armada England was one of economic crisis and an increasingly unpopular queen. It was time for a royal makeover and the creation of a powerful Elizabethan marketing campaign.

In 1558 King Philip of Spain sends an ambassador, the Count of Feria, to woo young Queen Elizabeth. He tries to persuade her that she should ditch the Protestant faith for the Catholic Church. Feria tries to exploit Elizabeth’s inexperience as she is only 25 years old but he has underestimated Elizabeth.