The Monarchy, the Commonwealth and the Media

The Monarchy, the Commonwealth and the Media

The coronation of Queen Elizabeth II was the first ever to be televised, a decision the new Queen actively encouraged. 19 million viewers watched the ceremony in the UK, over half of the adult population. Within five years, television ownership had risen six-fold. The shedding of media light on the mystery of monarchy was sometimes engineered and sometimes accidental – but always remorseless. Alongside the triumphs, there have been the dark days of the death of Princess Diana, ‘Annus Horribilis’, and the hacking of royal phones. Can the monarchy survive its dealings with the media – or is that relationship the secret of its survival?

In conversation ...
CHARLES ANSON CVO (former Press Secretary to the Queen)
TOM CORBY MVO (former Court Correspondent of the Press Association)
KESHINI NAVARATNAM (former BBC World TV presenter)

Tuesday 20 March at 5.30pm

The Senate Room, 1st Floor, Senate House, Malet Street, WC1E 7HU

ALL WELCOME (booking strongly advised - please email chloe.pieters@sas.ac.uk)

Part of the Institute of Commonwealth Studies’ Diamond Jubilee series, reflecting on the role of Queen Elizabeth II as Head of the Commonwealth and Sovereign of the Commonwealth Realms