Queen's Prohibited Royal Family Documentary Reappears on YouTube
In a surprising turn of events, a controversial documentary from 1969 titled "Royal Family" has reappeared on YouTube, despite being banned by Queen Elizabeth II in 1972 and taken down due to a copyright complaint this week.
The documentary, which offers a unique glimpse into the lives of the British royal family, was initially released theatrically in 1954, showcasing Queen Elizabeth touring the British Commonwealth countries with pomp and circumstance. However, the 1969 version of the documentary, consisting of 43 hours of behind-the-scenes footage, was groundbreaking in its portrayal of the royals in more casual and humanising settings.
The documentary, which was intended to challenge traditional expectations of royal privacy and dignity, featured Queen Elizabeth in normal situations such as water skiing, barbecuing, and even buying ice cream for her son. The documentary also showcased her meetings with prime ministers from Jamaica and Tanzania, as well as a casual conversation with President Richard Nixon.
However, the documentary was met with controversy due to its unprecedented portrayal of the royal family's private life. Scenes of Queen Elizabeth buying ice cream for her son were not well-received by some, and the documentary was widely criticised by high-class Brits who felt it was inappropriate to expose such intimate moments.
Gizmodo recently discovered that by restricting YouTube searches to uploads within the past day, copies of the 1969 "Royal Family" documentary can still be found. It is unclear who uploaded the documentary to YouTube this week, but its reemergence has sparked renewed interest in the controversial footage.
The conversation between Queen Elizabeth and President Nixon included topics such as travel, TV, and the complexity of the world, offering a rare insight into the private lives and thoughts of the two leaders. The documentary has historical value, with scenes of Queen Elizabeth meeting with prime ministers from Jamaica and Tanzania providing a valuable record of diplomatic history.
Despite the controversy surrounding the documentary, its reemergence on YouTube has caused a stir, with many people expressing their desire to see the footage for themselves. Whether the documentary will be taken down again remains to be seen, but for now, it offers a unique glimpse into the lives of the British royal family that was previously unavailable to the public.
