Right Royal films from BBC Learning by young reporters

“There are fireworks exploding in my head!” said 14-year-old Callum after he finally got to meet the Prince of Wales at a folk evening in his Welsh home on the estate of Llwynywormwood near Llandovery, Carmarthenshire.

Callum had spent the day as part of the royal press pack (the 'royal rota') for a new series of short films about the Modern Monarchy for the Learning Zone on BBC Two. Starting on the Doctor Who set with Matt Smith and a variety of monsters, he had followed the royal entourage to an opening of a new Princes Trust building in Cardiff, then on to the secluded Welsh home The Prince of Wales has set up with the Duchess of Cornwall. “I love the peace and quiet here,” the Duchess told Callum, “there’s nothing except the odd sheep munching away on the grass”.

Callum was one of three young reporters who set out to investigate the role of the royal family in Britain today. After a week of privileged access to events being hosted by both Her Majesty The Queen and the Prince of Wales, the young people had considerably deepened their understanding of the modern monarchy.

“I thought the Queen would spend her time chillaxing on the throne,” said 13-year-old Aleem from MIddlesborough, “but she spends a lot of time handing out awards and things, which shows that she really does care. That’s what I’m really proud of”.

The children’s visit to the royal palaces and homes co-incided with a typically busy summer schedule of garden parties and royal ceremonies. At Buckingham Palace, there was an investiture ceremony at which both Mo Farrah and Ewan McGregor were awarded OBEs, and a special garden party for the Grenadier Guards Association. At Clarence House, there was a medal giving ceremony for soldiers of the Royal Dragoon Guards who had completed their first tour of duty in Afghanistan.

Twelve-year old Saffron was lucky enough to be given a tour of Buckingham Palace by Samantha Cohen, Assistant Private Secretary to the Queen. She was fascinated by details of state banquets and visits by presidents and dignitaries, but she was most keen to hear about the Queen’s “homework” - the red boxes of official letters presented to Her Majesty at 11 o’clock every morning by her private secretaries. “We all moan about being given homework,” said Saffron candidly, “how does the Queen feel about hers?”

Another highlight for the young people was interviewing the Prime Minister at Downing Street about the relationship between the monarchy and the government. “Who is really in charge?” asked Aleem.

That evening, David Cameron attended a prestigious ceremony at Buckingham Palace for the winners of the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering, to which our reporters were also invited. To the children’s delight, the Prime Minister greeted them on the steps of the Palace with great enthusiasm, and complimented them on their interviewing skills earlier in the day.

There are six films in the series, all of which blend archive with the unique access offered to our young reporters. The films cover everything from the Coronation of the Queen and her role in modern Britain, to the relationship between the military and the royal family and the function of the Commonwealth.

Produced by CBBC, the series was commissioned to coincide with the birth of the royal baby, and the Coronation festival at Buckingham Palace this week.

 But the ambition behind the films goes beyond satisfying a surge of excitement about the monarchy sparked by the arrival of a new member of the royal family.

From an educational point of view, understanding our constitutional monarchy and how it has evolved through history is an important starting point for engaging with the political process. These films will be available online for the next five to ten years – providing what we hope will be an invaluable resource for schools, helping a new generation of children to understand some of the foundations of our (unwritten) constitution and - ultimately - our democracy.

Katy Jones is Executive Producer, BBC Learning Zone

• The films will broadcast as a compilation on 18th July at 5.00am on BBC Two and will be made available online as individual films for a minimum of 5 years on the BBC Learning website.