The BBC has revealed details of unseen and rare footage of King Charles set to feature in a special new documentary.
The broadcaster has announced further details of its upcoming 60-minute film ‘Charles R: The Making of a Monarch’, which will also feature rarely seen footage to tell the king’s journey to the throne over more than 70 years.
In a press release, the BBC noted that Buckingham Palace has granted access to unseen footage of the then-prince from 1969 documentary ‘Royal Family’.
Producers gained access to reels of film from the BFI National Archive, which is responsible for the preservation and digital restoration of the Royal Collection.
The footage shows the Royal Family’s personal moments, including a bonfire at Sandringham, “Prince Charles flying solo, and Prince Charles on a private visit to Malta in 1968”.
Other unseen clips include his many royal engagement as prince, and other intimate family moments such as Charles taking a hovercraft trip with his mother, Queen Elizabeth, and other member sof the Royal Family.
Footage from the family’s private home movie collection will also be featured, showing his “early love of nature, gardening and animals”.
The programme will be told “through His Majesty’s own words, as recorded through the decades” and will air on BBC One and iPlayer on April 30th.
Simon Young, the BBC’s Head of History, said: “It’s a real privilege to be trusted with such rare, unseen archive material to create a new and distinctive portrait of someone so famous and photographed.
“As Their Majesties’ Coronation approaches, this film will give audiences a fresh insight into his remarkable life.”
Claire Popplewell, Creative Director for BBC Studios Events Productions, added: “This documentary brings audiences a treasure trove of scenes filmed across seven decades in the life of The King.
“Unique and unseen moments with contemporary archive sources and the spoken words of His Majesty, ‘Charles R: The Making of a Monarch’ tells the story of how a Prince became a King.”
‘Charles R: The Making of a Monarch’ air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on April 30.
