The British Monarchy on the Small Screen: The Functions of the Crown in the TV Series Victoria and The Crown

Abstract

The British royal family—and the British monarch in particular—have long fascinated filmmakers and television producers, serving as rich material for historical drama and political storytelling. Yet beneath the glittering ceremonies, palaces, and public pageantry lies a powerful discourse about authority, legitimacy, and national identity. In periods marked by debates over the relevance and sustainability of the monarchy, screen representations become more than entertainment; they function as cultural texts that shape public perception. Media productions can therefore be instrumentalized—intentionally or implicitly—to construct, reinforce, or rehabilitate a particular image of the Crown. This article explores how the British royal institution is portrayed and symbolically marketed in the television series Victoria and The Crown. Drawing on media studies and discourse analysis, the research examines a selection of key scenes that frame the monarchy through dramatized depictions of Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth II. Although fictionalized, these representations contribute to contemporary understandings of royal authority and continuity. Through narrative structure, cinematography, dialogue, and character development, both series craft a coherent discourse that presents the Crown as indispensable to British political and cultural life. The study identifies three principal functions of the monarchy as constructed in the two series. First, the Crown is portrayed as a quasi-divine entity, invested with sacred symbolism and historical destiny. Ceremonial rituals, coronation scenes, and religious imagery elevate the monarch above ordinary political actors, reinforcing a sense of transcendence. Second, the monarch is framed as a loving and self-sacrificing mother figure, whose personal struggles humanize the institution while maintaining its moral authority. Finally, the Crown appears as the guardian of the constitution, depicted as politically neutral yet crucial in safeguarding democratic stability during times of crisis. Overall, the findings suggest that both series strongly favor the monarchy, foregrounding its spiritual, political, and social significance. By blending historical drama with emotional storytelling, the shows contribute to a largely positive and legitimizing portrayal of the British Crown in contemporary media culture.