How to watch What is the Monarchy for? on BBC iPlayer (it's *FREE*)

David Dimbleby and former PM David Cameron chat in a cosy room in 3 part royal doc What is the Monachy for?

(Image credit: BBC)

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Episodes & dates

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 & BBC iPlayer on 2 December

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 stuff – from how weddings, funerals and jubilees feed into the Royals' brand. Featuring Prime Ministers such as David Cameron, What is the Monarchy for? is well worth watching – especially if you are from outside the UK and have questions about the institution at the heart of British life.

Looking to catch Dimbleby's latest 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? for free on BBC iPlayer

The BBC's online streaming site, BBC iPlayer, is streaming What is the Monarchy for? for free — you can catch all three episodes.

What is the Monarchy for? premieres on BBC iPlayer on Monday, Dec 2. Episode 1 will also be shown at 9pm GMT on BBC One on Monday evening.

How to watch BBC iPlayer: Streaming fans who want to catch What is the Monarchy for? can watch on the BBC website or download the BBC iPlayer app (iOS / Android).

All you have to do is sign up and provide your email, date of birth, a UK postcode (e.g. SE1 7PB) and confirm that you have a TV license.

OUTSIDE THE UK? Use NordVPN to access BBC iPlayer from anywhere in the world.

How to watch What is the Monarchy for on BBC iPlayer from anywhere

BBC iPlayer is only showing What is the Monarchy for? for free to UK residents.

Those traveling or working outside the UK will need to use a VPN to access BBC iPlayer's free series.

There are lots of VPNs, but NordVPN is the one you can rely on to unblock BBC iPlayer and watch from anywhere in the world.

It's super simple to use a VPN to watch What is the Monarchy for? on BBC iPlayer.

1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we've said, NordVPN is our favorite.

2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. For instance, if you're visiting the US and want to watch your free BBC iPlayer stream, you'd select 'United Kingdom'.

3. Sit back and enjoy the action. Head to BBC iPlayer, sign 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, TVs)
Android TV (please note: some models aren’t supported)
Android (Mobile & Tablet) - Android 7.0 and above
Apple TV (tvOS 14 or later)
Google TV
Freely
Freesat (please note: some models aren’t supported)
Freeview Play (TVs and set-top boxes)
iOS (iPhone & 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 & Roku-OS powered TVs, minimum firmware v11.5.0)
Samsung Smart TVs (2017 and above - 2016 models only offer on demand TV)
Sky Q, Sky Glass and Sky Stream
Virgin Media (360, Stream, TiVo)
YouView (BT, Humax, Sony, TalkTalk)
Xbox (One, Series X, Series S)

What is the Monarchy for? Full episode guide

▶︎ Episode 1 (Airs 2 Dec, 2025)
With access to political players and royal insiders, broadcaster David Dimbleby asks: how much power does the monarch really have – and is it more than we tend to think?

▶︎ Episode 2 (Airs 9 Dec, 2025)
Over the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, the Windsors amassed extraordinary private wealth without us noticing. How did they do it? David Dimbleby shines a light on the secrets of royal money.

▶︎ Episode 3 (Airs 16 Dec, 2025)
In an episode featuring shocking scandals and startling interviews, David Dimbleby asks how far the royals will go to maintain public support – and can they succeed?

You may also enjoy watching:

The best TVs for all budgets

▶︎ Read our full guide to the best TVs
1. Best overall:
LG C5
2. Best under 1000:
US: Hisense U8QG
UK: TCL C7K
3. Best under 500:
US: Roku Plus Series
UK: Amazon Fire TV Omni QLED

Disclaimer

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

Tom is a journalist, copywriter and content designer based in the UK. He has written articles for What Hi-Fi?, T3, ShortList, The Sun, The Mail on Sunday, The Daily Telegraph, Elle Deco, The Sunday Times, Men's Health and many more. His specialities include the streaming services, mobile technology and electric vehicles.

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