A new documentary chronicling the reign of the late Queen Elizabeth II is drawing criticism for what some viewers see as a one-sided portrayal of the monarch.
Critics say the film paints Elizabeth in an almost saintly light while avoiding the scandals and longstanding allegations that surrounded the royal family during her time on the throne. Still, reactions online have been divided, with some fans praising the documentary as emotional and moving.
BBC Releases Queen Elizabeth Doc For 100th Birthday Tribute
To many, the British monarchy has long inspired either deep admiration or intense scrutiny, but critics say the new BBC documentary, “Queen Elizabeth II: Her Story, Our Century,” leans firmly toward reverence.
Released to mark what would have been the late monarch’s 100th birthday, the one-hour film features close friends, aides, and public figures reflecting on Elizabeth’s historic, record-breaking reign.
The documentary also weaves together a wide range of archival footage, including black-and-white clips from earlier chapters of her life. Notable names such as Barack Obama, Helen Mirren, David Attenborough, Tony Blair, and Gyles Brandreth also share their perspectives on the late Queen.
Queen Elizabeth Documentary Slammed For Dodging Royal Scandals
However, the documentary has been criticized for what some reviewers see as a lack of depth. Writing for The Guardian, journalist Frances Ryan argued that much of the film simply rehashes historic moments that have already been explored in other royal projects, including “The Crown.”
Still, Ryan’s sharpest criticism was her description of the documentary’s reluctance to fully explore the monarchy’s darker chapters. According to the review, the film brushes past difficult subjects such as the Aberfan disaster and other moments that raised serious questions about the Queen’s judgment and the institution she represented.
The writer also argued that former Prince Andrew’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein were not examined in enough depth.
Fans Say The Documentary Left Them In Tears
Despite the criticism, many viewers took to social media to praise the documentary and share how emotional it made them. On X, one user said the film moved them to tears.
“My eyes teared up. I knew that I missed her, but I didn’t know how much,” the user wrote.
Another viewer wrote that the documentary’s run-time left them wanting more. They said, “One hour wasn’t enough. We were all in tears as we watched.”
Over on YouTube, another fan described Queen Elizabeth as one of the defining leaders of modern history. “An amazing woman. Truly one of the great figures in world history for both the 20th and 21st centuries,” the fan said.
Royal Family Still Grappling With Andrew Fallout
Meanwhile, the fallout surrounding former Prince Andrew has continued to cast a shadow over the monarchy in the years since Queen Elizabeth’s death.
Scrutiny intensified again in February 2026, when Andrew was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office over allegations that he sent confidential government documents to Epstein. He was later released, and the matter remains under investigation.
Andrew had already been stripped of his royal titles and honors in 2025, and he was removed from Royal Lodge before being relocated to the Sandringham estate.
The controversy has also brought renewed focus on questions surrounding Andrew’s place within the royal family and his already strained relationship with King Charles.
Reuters reported at the time of his arrest that the King expressed deep concern and said the law should take its course.
Prince William Reportedly Pushed to Oust Andrew From Royal Fold
As ex-Prince Andrew’s fall from royal life continued, fresh reports suggested Prince William had long believed there was no path back for his uncle.
According to royal author Russell Myers, the Prince of Wales was deeply unsettled by Andrew’s now-infamous 2019 “Newsnight” interview and saw it as a turning point.
He added that William was particularly troubled by what he saw as Andrew’s refusal to show real accountability or acknowledge the trauma experienced by Epstein’s victims. According to the commentator, that became a clear red line for the future king.
Myers also claimed William had long wanted Andrew fully removed from royal life, with no meaningful return to the family’s public-facing role.