The BBC is set to celebrate what would have been the 100th birthday of Queen Elizabeth II with the release of a new star-studded documentary, Queen Elizabeth II: Her Story, Our Century. Described by the broadcaster as a film that will reflect "not only on the woman behind the Crown but on a century of transformation in Britain and beyond", it'll touch on everything from the Blitz to the 2012 London Olympics.
Bringing even more majesty to the one-hour film will be the likes of former US President Barack Obama, Sir David Attenborough, Dame Helen Mirren, Dame Sheila Hancock and Queen Camilla, who will share personal memories and stories about the late monarch.
Catherine Catton, Head of Factual Entertainment and Events for the BBC, said, "Queen Elizabeth II: Her Story, Our Century explores the life of her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II through the lens of a century of change and offers an important reflection on how modern Britain has been shaped."
The Queen Elizabeth documentary will feature new interviews with these notable figures, among others, alongside powerful archive footage from key, defining moments in what was a truly defining chapter of British history. Details of when the film will air are yet to be finalised, but the Queen 100th birthday falls on 21st April.
This was one of two birthdays Her Majesty used to celebrate every year, as her official birthday was marked in June with the traditional Trooping the Colour parade.
Her actual birthday was usually a private affair, although the Royal Family did release new pictures of her to commemorate the day. Given how historic Queen Elizabeth's reign was and how big a milestone 100 years is, it's no surprise that the BBC didn't want her centenary to go unmarked.
Queen Elizabeth is Britain's longest-reigning monarch and marked her Platinum Jubilee in 2022 with a weekend of celebrations that brought the nation together. The Jubilee Weekend was the last time we got to see Her Majesty on the balcony of Buckingham Palace and she made a special second appearance there alongside the direct heirs to the throne.
As Sovereign, Queen Elizabeth was a key figure of stability throughout seismic changes in Britain, and around the world. Her Majesty was served by 15 Prime Ministers (beginning with Winston Churchill and ending with Liz Truss) and 14 US Presidents (meeting 13 of them, only missing out on Lyndon B. Johnson).
She visited over 110 countries, met seven popes and became the first British monarch to ever visit China. The special film will explore her defining reign, touching on her role as one of the few constants, a symbol of continuity in a world that evolved rapidly.
