Crown & Country

Sutton Hoo is the oldest Royal burial site in Britain, which witnessed the elaborate funeral ceremony for the man often described as the first King of England. Was his claim justified and what happened to his Royal line? The first in a new series of programmes written and presented by Edward Windsor, the Queen's son, telling the story of his Royal ancestors down the troubled centuries.

For centuries Harwich was the safe haven that allowed Kings and Queens of England access to and from Europe, while Colchester's links with Royalty go back even further. Edward Windsor explores the area's connection with his ancestors, follows the trial of Britain's most famous warrior Queen, and discovers a macabre obsession with black magic.

Edward Windsor tells the extraordinary story of the first patron Saint of England, and of the growth of Europe's largest shrine. He also unearths some far more sinister goings-on! There is murder, mystery, and intrigue. We learn how the most unusual country estate was created as he traces the connections between the English market town of Bury and his Royal ancestors.

Edwards Windsor returns to his old University to learn about the conflicts between "town" and "gown", and the Royal connections that make Cambridge the most celebrated seat of learning in the world. There are tales of student pranks and worse from the days of the first Royal student, and a chance to find out why Queen Victoria blamed Cambridge for the death of Prince Albert.

A Saxon Princess who defied her King and a Tudor Queen who won popular acclaim (although she was banished by her King) are just two of the ancestors Edward Windsor discovers as he traces the connections between England's Royal Family and these two historic towns.

Edward Windsor goes home to the house that has become a private retreat for his family since his great great grandfather bought the estate in 1862. He discovers that Sandringham owes much of its glory to a rather special treasure, and how both past and present have contributed to the unique charm of the house derives.