Intimate scenes of royal family life have been released to coincide with the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. The home movie footage shot by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh have been shown for the first time by their son Prince Charles as a tribute to his mother and her 60 year reign. The nostalgic scenes will be shown in a BBC documentary this evening (1 June).
"The Diamond Jubilee gives us the chance to celebrate with pride all that The Queen means to us – whether as a nation or as one of her children," Prince Charles says.
Throughout the film, the Prince shares memories on how The Queen combined the life of a young and loving mother and wife with royal duties.
In one sequence, he recalls how The Queen practised wearing the Coronation crown around Buckingham Palace – even at bath time.
I remember my Mama coming, you know, up, when we were being bathed as children, wearing the crown. It was quite funny – practising.
Watching the footage, the Prince comments on his mother's 'amazing poise' and her 'natural grace'.
He adds: "My Mama takes great pride in her family, from being a young mother at the start of her reign, to now being a great grandmother twice over."
He demonstrates this by showing pictures to illustrate the more personal aspect of very public moments, such as his mother and father visiting him on sports day Hill House School, West London, in the summer of 1957.
There is also footage shown by the Queen herself of a visit to Holkham Beach in Norfolk when Prince Charles and Princess Anne practised dune jumping and were buried in sand up to their necks with a corgi between them.
In his tribute the Prince says: "The fact that my Mama has been a constant feature on the scene has provided that sense, I think, of continuity in a time of immense change over 60 years.
"The Queen has provided an amazing record of devotion, dedication and commitment.'
Check out our summer section for jubilee celebrations and easy party food.