Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

Long to Reign Over Us

Episode 16 of 20

Archive footage telling the history of modern Britain. Melvyn Bragg looks back to the 1953 coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.

Melvyn Bragg, accompanied by a vintage mobile cinema, travels across the country to show incredible footage preserved by the British Film Institute and other national and regional film archives, telling the history of modern Britain.

Melvyn visits London's Horse Guards Parade to look back to the 1953 coronation of Queen Elizabeth II and remember an event when the nation celebrated and television took off.

Lady Jane Rayne shares her memories of being one of the six young women chosen to carry the royal train. Sandra Reekie is transported back to coronation day, when she watched the event live on television with 20 people crammed into the same room. And Ron Bygate recounts his memories of being one of the thousands of military troops lining the parade route as the Queen passed by.

29 minutes

Music Played

  • 59 Times the Pain

    Turn at 25th

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Melvyn Bragg
Series Producer Dympna Jackson
Executive Producer Ruth Pitt

Broadcasts