Royal Autopsy
TV Show · Documentary · History

The true nature of the deaths of kings and queens of the past is shrouded in mystery and rumor. In this graphic history documentary, Professor Alice Roberts investigates the cause of death of two of Britain's most famous monarchs, King Charles II and Queen Elizabeth I. At the heart of each investigation is a detailed 'as real' autopsy where the gruesome facts are separated from wild fiction.

2022 · 44m
Starring Mark Wingett, Linda Marlowe, Prof Alice Roberts
Director Paul Olding

Season 1

  • EPISODE 1
    Charles II
    What was the ultimate cause of death of Britain's ‘Merry Monarch’, King Charles II? Professor Alice Roberts explores his final dying days in this fascinating history documentary. An 'as real' postmortem exam on the dead king, reveals a man who appears to have suffered some degree of torture, having been burnt and bled, with a stomach showing traces of many poisonous plants.
    45m
  • EPISODE 2
    Elizabeth I
    Queen Elizabeth I was reputed to be a strong, dependable British monarch. But, as Professor Alice Roberts discovers in this engrossing history documentary, that might not be the full story. An 'as real' autopsy on the dead queen reveals a frail women riddled with various infections and diseases, including a mental disorder that could be responsible for her reported ‘melancholy’.
    45m
  • EPISODE 1
    King George IV: The Party King
    George IV was known for a life full of drink, drugs and debauchery. Professor Alice Roberts is challenged to see which of his many ailments actually killed him. Following an ‘as real’ autopsy, she takes her findings to leading medical and historical experts for analysis, exploring the cause and symptoms of a wide range of conditions brought on by a life of outrageous excess.
    44m
  • EPISODE 2
    Mary I: Bloody Mary
    Professor Alice Roberts explores the final dying days and ultimate cause of death of Queen Mary I, daughter of Tudor king Henry VIII and better known as Bloody Mary. Following an ‘as real’ autopsy, she discovers a woman plagued by a range of gynecological issues. But she reveals her death was eventually down to an illness not too dissimilar to our recent pandemic.
    44m
  • EPISODE 3
    Henry IV: The Usurper
    Henry IV, who was King of England from 1399-1413, is best known for usurping and murdering his cousin Richard II. Alice Roberts brings her historical insight and expertise to piece together Henry’s final dying days, using a unique combination of an ‘as-real’ autopsy and dramatic reconstructions. She discovers a mysterious debilitating skin condition that may have hastened his demise.
    44m
  • EPISODE 4
    Anne: The Forgotten Queen
    Anne was England’s Queen from 1702 to 1714, and the last of the Stuart line. Desperate to produce an heir, she shockingly endured 17 failed pregnancies. Alice Roberts investigates the life and death of Britain’s forgotten queen. She discovers a woman who suffered with obstetric issues, exploring the root cause of her many miscarriages, alongside her significant joint pain and mobility problems.
    44m

Trailers

  • Royal Autopsy with Alice Roberts
    2m
  • Royal Autopsy with Alice Roberts
    2m

Related

Cast & Crew

  • Mark Wingett
    Charles II
  • Linda Marlowe
    Elizabeth I
  • Prof Alice Roberts
    Host
  • P‌O
    Paul Olding
    Director
  • M‌J
    Miles Jarvis
    Producer
  • J‌W
    Jaimi West
    Producer
  • M‌D
    Melanie Darlaston
    Producer
  • D‌K
    Dan Korn
    Producer
  • P‌O
    Paul Olding
    Writer
  • P‌O
    Paul Olding
    Creator

About

Royal Autopsy

Documentary

The true nature of the deaths of kings and queens of the past is shrouded in mystery and rumor. In this graphic history documentary, Professor Alice Roberts investigates the cause of death of two of Britain's most famous monarchs, King Charles II and Queen Elizabeth I. At the heart of each investigation is a detailed 'as real' autopsy where the gruesome facts are separated from wild fiction.

Information

Studio
True Royalty
Released
2022
Rated
TV-14
Region of Origin
United Kingdom
© 2024 Phoenix Television & GroupM Motion Entertainment

Languages

Original Audio
English (United States), English (United Kingdom)
Audio

English (United Kingdom) (AAC)

Subtitles

English (United Kingdom) (CC)

Accessibility

Closed captions (CC) refer to subtitles in the available language with the addition of relevant non-dialogue information.
  • Español (México)
Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

  • Armenia
  • Azerbaijan
  • Bahrain
  • Botswana
  • Brunei Darussalam
  • Cape Verde
  • Egypt
  • Eswatini
  • Gambia
  • Ghana
  • Guinea-Bissau
  • India
  • Israel
  • Jordan
  • Lebanon
  • Mauritius
  • Mozambique
  • Namibia
  • Niger (English)
  • Oman
  • Qatar
  • Saudi Arabia
  • South Africa
  • Sri Lanka
  • Tajikistan
  • Turkmenistan
  • Uganda
  • United Arab Emirates
  • Zimbabwe

Asia Pacific

  • Australia
  • Cambodia
  • Fiji
  • 香港 (廣東話–繁體)
  • Indonesia (English)
  • 日本
  • Lao People's Democratic Republic
  • 澳門 (廣東話–繁體)
  • Malaysia (English)
  • Micronesia, Federated States of
  • Mongolia
  • New Zealand
  • Philippines
  • Singapore
  • 대한민국
  • 台灣
  • Thailand
  • Turkmenistan
  • Vietnam

Europe

  • Armenia
  • Österreich
  • Belarus
  • Belgium
  • Bulgaria
  • Cyprus
  • Czechia
  • Denmark
  • Estonia
  • Finland
  • France (Français)
  • Deutschland
  • Greece
  • Hungary
  • Ireland
  • Italia
  • Latvia
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg (English)
  • Malta
  • Moldova, Republic Of
  • Nederland
  • Norway
  • Poland
  • Portugal (Português)
  • Россия
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • España
  • Sverige
  • Schweiz
  • Türkiye (English)
  • Ukraine
  • United Kingdom

Latin America and the Caribbean

  • Anguilla
  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Argentina (Español)
  • Bahamas
  • Belize
  • Bermuda
  • Bolivia (Español)
  • Brasil
  • Virgin Islands, British
  • Cayman Islands
  • Chile (Español)
  • Colombia (Español)
  • Costa Rica (Español)
  • Dominica
  • República Dominicana
  • Ecuador (Español)
  • El Salvador (Español)
  • Grenada
  • Guatemala (Español)
  • Honduras (Español)
  • México
  • Nicaragua (Español)
  • Panamá
  • Paraguay (Español)
  • Perú
  • St. Kitts and Nevis
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Venezuela (Español)

The United States and Canada

  • Canada (English)
  • Canada (Français)
  • United States
  • Estados Unidos (Español México)

Copyright © 2025 Apple Inc. All rights reserved.

  • Internet Service Terms
  • Apple TV & Privacy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Support
Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

  • Armenia
  • Azerbaijan
  • Bahrain
  • Botswana
  • Brunei Darussalam
  • Cape Verde
  • Egypt
  • Eswatini
  • Gambia
  • Ghana
  • Guinea-Bissau
  • India
  • Israel
  • Jordan
  • Lebanon
  • Mauritius
  • Mozambique
  • Namibia
  • Niger (English)
  • Oman
  • Qatar
  • Saudi Arabia
  • South Africa
  • Sri Lanka
  • Tajikistan
  • Turkmenistan
  • Uganda
  • United Arab Emirates
  • Zimbabwe

Asia Pacific

  • Australia
  • Cambodia
  • Fiji
  • 香港 (廣東話–繁體)
  • Indonesia (English)
  • 日本
  • Lao People's Democratic Republic
  • 澳門 (廣東話–繁體)
  • Malaysia (English)
  • Micronesia, Federated States of
  • Mongolia
  • New Zealand
  • Philippines
  • Singapore
  • 대한민국
  • 台灣
  • Thailand
  • Turkmenistan
  • Vietnam

Europe

  • Armenia
  • Österreich
  • Belarus
  • Belgium
  • Bulgaria
  • Cyprus
  • Czechia
  • Denmark
  • Estonia
  • Finland
  • France (Français)
  • Deutschland
  • Greece
  • Hungary
  • Ireland
  • Italia
  • Latvia
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg (English)
  • Malta
  • Moldova, Republic Of
  • Nederland
  • Norway
  • Poland
  • Portugal (Português)
  • Россия
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • España
  • Sverige
  • Schweiz
  • Türkiye (English)
  • Ukraine
  • United Kingdom

Latin America and the Caribbean

  • Anguilla
  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Argentina (Español)
  • Bahamas
  • Belize
  • Bermuda
  • Bolivia (Español)
  • Brasil
  • Virgin Islands, British
  • Cayman Islands
  • Chile (Español)
  • Colombia (Español)
  • Costa Rica (Español)
  • Dominica
  • República Dominicana
  • Ecuador (Español)
  • El Salvador (Español)
  • Grenada
  • Guatemala (Español)
  • Honduras (Español)
  • México
  • Nicaragua (Español)
  • Panamá
  • Paraguay (Español)
  • Perú
  • St. Kitts and Nevis
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Venezuela (Español)

The United States and Canada

  • Canada (English)
  • Canada (Français)
  • United States
  • Estados Unidos (Español México)