Main content

The fight to televise the Queen's Coronation

How BBC bosses battled with the government for the right to film inside Westminster Abbey.

Queen Elizabeth II's Coronation in 1953 was a watershed moment for television as millions watched the ceremony live.

But it nearly never happened as the UK Government initially refused to allow TV cameras inside Westminster Abbey.

The late Peter Dimmock, the BBC’s former head of outside broadcasts, looks back on the challenges the corporation faced.

Former maid of honour Lady Jane Rayne Lacey also shares her memories of the day with Vicky Farncombe, including the part that felt “too sacred” to televise.

(Photo: Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Credit: Getty Images)

Available now

9 minutes

Last on

Sat 29 Apr 202302:50GMT
BBC World Service except Australasia

More episodes

Previous

The Met Gala goes global

Next

The king under the car park

See all episodes from Witness History

Clip

Broadcasts

  • Fri 28 Apr 202307:50GMT
    BBC World Service
  • Fri 28 Apr 202311:50GMT
    BBC World Service
  • Fri 28 Apr 202317:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa
  • Fri 28 Apr 202321:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only
  • Sat 29 Apr 202302:50GMT
    BBC World Service except Australasia

Podcast