Lucy Worsley's Royal Myths & Secrets

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?

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

Lucy takes us to Tilbury where Queen Elizabeth I delivered her most famous speech to English troops where they had assembled to protect Essex from invasion. We learn that this rousing historic event at Tilbury happened 11 days after the fire ships and the battle against the Spanish Armada was in fact already over.

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.

Join Lucy Worsley for an exploration of how Elizabeth I’s image as a warrior queen, created by a series of myths and secrets about her victory over the Spanish Armada, shaped British national identity for centuries.

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.