God Save the Queen

Watch God Save the Queen

  • 2017
  • 1 Season

God Save the Queen is a fascinating series produced by Great Big Story, which explores the incredible world of royal memorabilia collecting through personal narratives and expert interviews. This show delves deep to reveal the stories behind the people who collect royal artifacts, the lengths they go to find them, and the value they place on them.

Through interviews with collectors and scholars, the show conveys how royal memorabilia has evolved throughout history and the social significance it holds in modern times. The show begins by introducing viewers to several collectors, each of whom has specific reasons for collecting, whether it's nostalgia, historical significance or admiration for the monarchy.

The episode takes us on a gripping journey into the world of royal memorabilia and how it is valued. It starts by featuring a collector who has built an impressive collection of Royal Wedding china from the UK, going back over 100 years. The collection includes over 150 pieces of commemorative china, so extensive that it needs an entire room to be displayed. We learn how the collector's passion for the collection started, how she finds the unique pieces, and the lengths she goes to acquire them.

Another interview follows, this time with a royal scholar, who discusses the history and cultural significance of royal memorabilia. The scholar provides insight into how royal memorabilia has evolved across generations, from souvenir coronation teaspoons to more elaborate, often absurd, items like royal condoms. We learn fascinating details, such as the reason for the popularity of the coronation cups and the impact of the royal family on the UK's ceramic industry.

The show moves on to showcase more specialized collections, such as a collector who has devoted himself to collecting items related to the life of Queen Elizabeth II, another dedicated to Princess Diana, and another who acquires various items related to King Richard III.

One particularly memorable segment of the show features a man whose passion is collecting coronation medals. He has acquired medals that date back as far as 1902 and explains how each one tells a different story about the royal family and the history of the UK.

Throughout the show, the collectors explain the significance of their collections, from rare items that tie to significant moments in the monarchy's history, to everyday items that demonstrate the reach and influence of the royal family in popular culture.

God Save the Queen culminates with a look at the incredible lengths that collectors will go to find and acquire elusive items. Through one collector, we learn how sometimes the most valuable items are found in the less expected places. The collector shares the story of how he received a priceless item to his collection while working in a charity shop, giving viewers a sense of the vast and often unpredictable nature of the memorabilia world.

With incredible insight into the world of royal memorabilia, God Save the Queen is a captivating series. From the casual admirers to the serious collectors, this show provides an insider's glimpse into an extraordinary and unique world, highlighting the role the monarchy has played in shaping the cultural identity of the UK.

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Seasons
Why Swans in England Get the Royal Treatment
7. Why Swans in England Get the Royal Treatment
August 2, 2017
In the United Kingdom, you may eat ducks, chickens, geese, but never swans. Why? Well, they belong to Queen Elizabeth II. Every year in England since the 12th century, the queen's swan marker and his crew of "swan uppers" ride London's River Thames in search of swans that belong to Her Majesty.
Why Britain Loves Tea
6. Why Britain Loves Tea
January 10, 2018
There's nothing as quintessentially British as a cuppa tea. But how did the Chinese tradition make its way into the British consciousness? It's all thanks to Catherine of Braganza, a Portuguese royal who married England's King Charles II in 1662.
Hop Onboard the Shortest Flight in the World
5. Hop Onboard the Shortest Flight in the World
October 3, 2017
Got a tight 80 seconds to spare? It's all the time you need to fly the world's shortest non-stop flight-a tiny hop between the U.K. islands of Westray and Papa Westray. For the past 50 years, Scottish airline Loganair has been transporting islanders between the two archipelagos, becoming an integral part of many passengers' daily commute.
Cracking London's Legendary Taxi Test
4. Cracking London's Legendary Taxi Test
January 25, 2018
Imagine a world without GPS or sat navs, one in which you'd have to commit to memory thousands of streets and landmarks just to get around town. For London's black cab drivers, that's all a part of the job.
How Falconry Shaped the English Language
3. How Falconry Shaped the English Language
May 22, 2017
Feeling hoodwinked or fed up? You can thank falconry for those particular turns of phrase. During the 16th century, a rather notable amateur falconer named William Shakespeare became enamored of the sport. The playwright loved training birds of prey so much that he began adding falconry references to his plays, successfully wrapping us all around his little finger. (See what we did there?)
The English Officers Policing Politeness
2. The English Officers Policing Politeness
August 23, 2017
Meet the Burlington Beadles-possibly the oldest and smallest private police force in the world. For nearly 200 years, the beadles have stood guard over one of London's most exclusive shopping centers, preventing shoppers from committing brash acts of rudeness-like whistling, singing and hurrying.
A Day in the Life of the Queen's Double
1. A Day in the Life of the Queen's Double
June 12, 2017
Every televised appearance Queen Elizabeth II makes is a carefully orchestrated operation, meticulously prepared and rehearsed in advance. The queen, however, only appears for the real deal. So for the past 30 years, stand-in Ella Slack has been waving, sitting and standing, allowing cameras and event managers to adequately prep.
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  • Premiere Date
    June 12, 2017