This docudrama focuses on five key events in the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. Combining narration, interviews, archival footage and dramatic recreations (with 5 different actresses portraying the Queen at different times in her life) the series focuses on several of the crises she has had to deal with. These include Princess Margaret's desire to marry a divorced member of the household staff; the need for additional funding at a time of major upheaval in British society; her disagreement with Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher over trade sanctions against South Africa; the family challenges in 1992 of failing royal marriages; and Prince Charles' desire to marry Camilla Parker-Bowles.