Queen Victoria attempts to create peace in Europe through royal marriages; when three cousins linked by Victoria's royal blood turn against each other, and plunge Europe into the First World War, the Queen's dream of peace turns into a nightmare.
Royals across Europe embrace fascism; King George V knows he must keep his country safe from the dangers of Nazi Germany, but when his eldest son Edward VIII abandons royal duty for love, the Crown is thrown into a deep crisis.
World War II may be over, but it still casts a long shadow over royal families, particularly those with links to fascism; in Britain, King George VI works to keep his brother's closeness to the Nazis away from the British people.
Royals discover that breaking with tradition can get them in deep water, while other royals embrace change and manage to cling on to their crowns; during the 60s and 70s, royal culture meets celebrity culture, giving the Crown a popularity boost.
To survive to see the future, the royal family must reinvent themselves; they ditch their "stiff upper lip" approach to appear more normal, in order to stay relevant and in touch with their subjects.