Monarchy

The remarkable story of King Charles II, who secured the restoration of the English monarchy in 1660.

Outraged by James II's ham-handed attempts to promote tolerance for his fellow Catholics, Parliament invites his daughter Mary and her Dutch husband, William of Orange, to invade England and take the throne - ushering in the Glorious Revolution.

Under William and Mary and their successor, Anne, the nation transforms itself into Europe's greatest power and enjoys unprecedented financial prosperity.

George I and his two namesakes forge new relationships with Parliamentary leaders, creating a dynamic that survives in British governance today.

Weathering the anti-royalist storm breaking on the Continent, Great Britain stands strong against the military might of Napoleon. By the mid-19th century, Queen Victoria accedes to the throne, reinventing the British monarchy as a stable yet progressive institution.