- Watch What is the monarchy for? for free on BBC (UK restricted)
- Outside the UK? Use NordVPN to unblock BBC
- What is the monarchy for? premieres on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on December 2
What is the monarchy for? is David Dimbleby’s three-part investigation into British royalty in 2025; How far will King Charles, Prince William and Princess Kate go to maintain public support? And how does the royal family generate money.
It’s all fascinating – from how weddings, funerals and jubilees contribute to the Royals brand. With prime ministers such as David Cameron, What is the monarchy for? is worth watching – especially if you’re from outside the UK and have questions about the institution at the heart of British life.
Looking to attend Dimbleby’s final royal show for free? Here’s how to watch What is the monarchy for? for free from anywhere in the world with a VPN.
How to watch What is the Monarchy for? free on BBC iPlayer
The BBC’s online streaming site, BBC iPlayer, broadcasts What is the monarchy for? for free – you can watch all three episodes.
How to watch What the Monarchy is for on BBC iPlayer from anywhere
BBC iPlayer only displays What is the monarchy for? free for UK residents.
Those traveling or working outside the UK will need to use a VPN to access the free BBC iPlayer series.
There are many VPNs, but NordVPN is the one you can rely on to unblock BBC iPlayer and watch from anywhere in the world.
It’s super easy to use a VPN to watch What is the monarchy for? on BBC iPlayer.
1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we said, NordVPN is our favorite.
2. Choose the location you want to connect to in the VPN app. For example, if you are visiting the United States and want to watch your free BBC iPlayer stream, you would select “UK”.
3. Sit back and enjoy the action. Head over to BBC iPlayer, log in and watch What is the Monarchy For? for free.
What devices is BBC iPlayer available on?
You can use BBC iPlayer on all of the following devices and platforms:
Amazon fire (Tablets, Cube, Stick, TV)
Android Television (note: some models are not supported)
Android (Mobile and tablet) – Android 7.0 and above
Apple TV (tvOS 14 or later)
Google TV
Freely
Free satellite (note: some models are not supported)
Free reading (TVs and decoders)
iOS (iPhone and iPad) – iOS 14 and above
LG Smart TVs (2016-2024)
NOW Smart Sticks and Boxes (minimum firmware v11.5.0)
PlayStation (PS4 and PS5)
Roku (Stick and Roku-OS powered TVs, minimum firmware v11.5.0)
Samsung Smart TVs (2017 and up – 2016 models only offer On Demand TV)
Sky Q, Sky Glass and Sky Stream
Blank media (360, Stream, TiVo)
YouSee (BT, Humax, Sony, TalkTalk)
Xbox (A, X series, S series)
What is the monarchy for? Complete Episode Guide
▶︎ Episode 1 (aired December 2, 2025)
With access to political players and royal family insiders, broadcaster David Dimbleby asks: how much power does the monarch really have – and is it more than we tend to think?
▶︎ Episode 2 (aired December 9, 2025)
During the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, the Windsors amassed extraordinary private wealth without us realizing it. How did they do it? David Dimbleby sheds light on the secrets of royal money.
▶︎ Episode 3 (aired December 16, 2025)
In an episode featuring shocking scandals and surprising interviews, David Dimbleby asks how far the royals will go to retain public support – and can they succeed?
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We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Access a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protect your online security and strengthen your online privacy abroad. We do not support or condone illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consumption of paid pirated content is not endorsed or endorsed by Future Publishing.
