A Royal Occasion

To mark the occasion of HM the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, we present a selection of remarkable films held in the BFI National Archive spanning royal events from 1896 to 1953. In 1896 Queen Victoria granted permission for a short film to be made in the grounds of Balmoral --Scenes from Balmoral-- and so began our fascination with watching the Royal Family. 1897 saw the first grand spectacle filmed and exhibited -- Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee. Recently restored footage from both films will screen (with live piano accompaniment), alongside sumptuous scenes from royal tours in the heyday of the Empire, state ceremonials, local visits and rare colour newsreels. We'll also celebrate 1953 in glorious 3D.