The British Monarchy had “never quite come to terms with the power of television or appreciated its need to reduce its subject matter to the level of a sound bite” Ingrid Seward writes in her book “The Queen and Di: The Untold Story”. One of the most intimate looks ever at the British royal family was shown to the public in the 1960s but has reportedly been sitting in a vault ever since. In 1969, Prince Philip agreed to open the royal doors of Buckingham Palace for a landmark BBC documentary, called "The Royal Family".
Their activities ranged from Prince Philip grilling sausages at Balmoral Castle to the Queen making smalltalk with former US President Richard Nixon.
Royal biographer Ingrid Seward revealed in her book, “The Queen and Di: The Untold Story”, how legendary anthropologist and wildlife expert David Attenborough blasted former BBC director Richard Cawston over the making of the royal documentary in a letter.
David Attenborough said: “You’re killing the monarchy, you know, with this film you’re making.”
The renowned broadcaster wrote furiously in 1969 to the producer-director of the controversial and ground-breaking BBC television documentary.
David Attenborough's shock 'you’re KILLING the monarchy’ rant revealed (Image: Getty)