Royal Secrets, Scandals & Stories
15 Clips
Join us as we uncover the dramatic tales of Europe's aristocracy. From Queen Victoria's abandonment of the throne to Queen Elizabeth II's controversial marriage.
Playlist
How Did the Queen Mother Rack Up $8 Million in Debt?
From: Inside Windsor Castle: Happy Families
- 3m 17s
- HD
In total, the Queen Mother was a widow for 50 years of her life. During that time, she became known for two things: extravagance and an unpaid tab that ran into the millions.
The American Teen that Changed the British Aristocracy Forever
From: Million Dollar American Princesses: Cash for Class
- 4m 13s
- HD
In the late 19th century, Leonard Jerome was one of the richest men in New York City, having played the stock market and won. But to gain access to high society, he'd leverage something even more valuable: his daughter Jennie.
Why This 1969 Royal Family Documentary Was Pulled Off Air
From: Inside Windsor Castle: Happy Families
- 3m 29s
- HD
On June 21, 1969, a fly-on-the-wall documentary about the Royal Family was aired on British TV and watched by 37 million people. Then, the Queen ordered it taken off the air and never shown again.
How Wallis Simpson Infiltrated British Royalty
From: Million Dollar American Princesses: Movers & Shakers
- 4m 12s
- HD
There aren't many rumors that American socialite Wallis Simpson hasn't been subjected to. So here's how she actually infiltrated the British monarchy.
Prince Charles and Princess Diana's Bitter Press Feud
From: Diana and the Paparazzi
- 3m 32s
- HD
By 1994, the marriage of Princes Charles and Princess Diana was falling apart. What followed was a remarkably bitter sequence of recriminations played out in the pages of the popular press.
How Emerald Cunard Went From Wild West to British High Society
From: Million Dollar American Princesses: Movers & Shakers
- 4m 31s
- HD
Maud Burke, born into the wild, lawless San Francisco of the late 1800s, knew she was destined for bigger, better things. This is how she got them.
The Highest-Ranking American Beauty in British Nobility
From: Million Dollar American Princesses: Wedding of the Century
- 2m 28s
- HD
British aristocrat George Curzon primarily married American heiress Mary Leiter for her money. What he didn't anticipate was the making of the perfect political power couple.
How Clara Ward Scandalized All of Belgium
From: Million Dollar American Princesses: Beautiful and Doomed
- 4m 2s
- HD
At age 16, American heiress Clara Ward was married off to Belgian prince Joseph de Caraman-Chimay for a sizable dowry. It was a classic example of "cash for class," but the prince couldn't keep Ward tied down for long.
The Affair that Financially Ruined Gloria Swanson
From: Million Dollar American Princesses: Queens of the Screen
- 4m 32s
- HD
In 1927, Joe Kennedy teamed up with silent film star Gloria Swanson to produce films together. Within three years, he'd broken up her marriage, abandoned their shared business, and ruined her financially.
Barbara Hutton: A Tragic Heiress Worth $387 Million
From: Million Dollar American Princesses: Beautiful and Doomed
- 3m 24s
- HD
In 1924, 12-year-old Barbara Hutton inherited a 8 million trust fund from her grandfather, retail magnate Frank Woolworth--about $387 million in today's money.
Could You Have Endured Consuelo Vanderbilt's Upbringing?
From: Million Dollar American Princesses: Wedding of the Century
- 4m 24s
- HD
Tutored in several European languages for hours on end and strapped to a steel rod for posture, Consuelo Vanderbilt's childhood was anything but easy.
How Peggy Guggenheim Rescued Art from the Nazis
From: Million Dollar American Princesses: Queens of Culture
- 3m 57s
- HD
As soon as Germany invaded France in 1940, Peggy Guggenheim set about buying up as many valuable art pieces as she could--to keep them out of Nazi hands.
This Woman Was Picasso, Hemingway, and Fitzgerald's Muse
From: Million Dollar American Princesses: Queens of Culture
- 4m 18s
- HD
The wealth and candid charisma of Sara Murphy meant she inspired and was admired by many an artist in 1920s Paris--this included legendary painters and writers alike.
How Princess Elizabeth Swept Prince Philip Off His Feet
From: Inside Windsor Castle: Love and War
- 3m
- HD
In 1943, a young Princess Elizabeth had her eye on the Prince of Greece and Denmark. And with the knowledge of him attending Windsor Castle's annual pantomime, she demanded to play the starring role in 'Aladdin' to catch his attention.
How This Prankster Crashed Prince William's 21st Birthday
From: Inside Windsor Castle: Tragedy and Triumph
- 2m 33s
- HD
The Prince of Wales' 21st birthday party was held in the royal venue of Windsor Castle. Despite the security measures, an uninvited man was able to get in--and even plant a kiss on the Prince.
Related Shows
Million Dollar American Princesses
- 7 Episodes
- HD
Join Elizabeth McGovern for an in-depth look at the remarkable young American heiresses who inspired "Downton Abbey."
Diana and the Paparazzi
- 44m
- HD
Discover how Diana's relationship with the paparazzi went from mutually beneficial to parasitic.
Inside Windsor Castle
- 4 Episodes
- HD
Discover the stories and secrets that took place behind the walls of Windsor Castle over the last 80 years.