1. The King’s Speech (2010)

On iTunes at: itunes.apple.com

Currently reigning at the top of the list of movies about British Kings and Queens is the 2010 box office hit The King’s Speech. Starring Colin Firth as George VI, the film tells the story of how the King conquered his stammer and helped lead the nation through World War II. Filled to the brim with stellar acting performances from the likes of Helena Bonham-Carter and Geoffrey Rush, you’ll be hard pushed to find a better movie about a British King.

2. The Queen (2006)

On iTunes at: itunes.apple.com

Dame Helen Mirren’s moment of crowning glory came in 2006 when she donned a grey wig and spectacles to play Elizabeth II in The Queen. The movie deals with the incredible reaction of the public to the death of Princess Diana in 1997, and the aftermath that affected the British Royal family forever. The critics raved about the performance and Mirren won Best Actress at that year’s Academy Awards. She, of course, dedicated the award to Her Majesty!

3. Mrs. Brown (1997)

On Amazon at: amazon.com

The surprise hit movie of 1997, Mrs. Brown stars Dame Judi Dench as Queen Victoria and tells the story of her unconventional and heart warming friendship with Scottish commoner John Brown (Billy Connolly). Brown supposedly helped Queen Victoria to come out of a two year long period of mourning for her late husband Prince Albert, and it’s always interesting to catch a glimpse of the lesser told stories when it comes to movies about British monarchs.

4. Elizabeth: the Golden Age (1998)

On iTunes at: itunes.apple.com

Cate Blanchett gives a regal and enthralling performance as Elizabeth I, one of Britain’s most intriguing monarchs. Consigned to the history books as ‘The Virgin Queen,’ the movie lifts the lid on a much richer and more colourful life for Elizabeth than the museums and documentaries would have us believe, a reign full of exciting scandal and the birth of a real feminist icon. She ruled the roost in a period of male domination, and we love her for it!

5. Henry V (1989)

On Amazon at: amazon.com

It seems as though Kenneth Branagh was always destined to star in one of the movies about British Kings, and he puts his noble acting skills to work in this big screen adaptation of Shakespeare’s Henry V. A delicious look back to the time when Kings would lead their own armies onto the battlefield, and rousing speeches about the glory of war and the saving of England were commonplace. Of course, it’s not a proper epic without a touch of romance, and the ravishing Emma Thompson as Catherine of Valois has us covered on that front.

6. Lady Jane (1986)

On iTunes at: itunes.apple.com

A slightly lesser known film here, a movie about the tragic circumstances of Britain’s shortest reigning Queen, Lady Jane Grey. Played by a young Helena Bonham-Carter, the film tells the story of the sixteen-year-old cousin of Edward VI, who rules the country for just nine days before being overthrown and executed by the ruthless Mary I. A sad but interesting story, and a reassuring reminder that Britain conducts itself with a little more class in the twenty first century!

7. The Young Victoria (2009)

On iTunes at: itunes.apple.com

Showing a different side to the aged, solemn Queen Victoria that we all recognise from the history books, Emily Blunt brings the young Queen to life in this story of love and power. Full of passion and romance, the tale of Victoria and Prince Albert’s deep love for one another takes centre stage and we see how a young, determined woman builds the foundations for the longest British reign of any monarch to date. Definitely one of the most enjoyable recent movies about British Kings and Queens.

Drama, intrigue, romance, battles and fabulous costumes – what do you enjoy most in movies about British Kings and Queens?