Primary History - Famous People

Famous Monarchs : Teacher's Resources

Famous People: Famous Monarchs

The Art of Monarchy

The Art of the Monarchy

The Art of Monarchy is a collaboration between BBC Radio 4 and the Royal Collection to mark Her Majesty The Queen's Diamond Jubilee. The series examines some of the objects that have helped define a thousand years of the British monarchy.

Download lesson plans and worksheets to be used alongside the BBC Famous People content on King Henry VIII, Queen Elizabeth I, Mary Queen of Scots, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth II.

King Henry VIII King Henry VIII
(1491 - 1547)
Queen Elizabeth I Queen Elizabeth I
(1533 - 1603)
Mary Queen of Scots Mary Queen of Scots
(1542 - 1587)
Queen Victoria Queen Victoria
(1819 - 1901)
Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II
(1926 - )

Key Stage 1 Lesson Plans and Worksheets


Images for the Role of a Monarch lesson plan

  • The Imperial State Crown - Images supplied by The Royal Collection / © HM Queen Elizabeth II 2012
  • Prince Henry of Wales's armour - Images supplied by The Royal Collection / © HM Queen Elizabeth II 2012
  • The Gold State Coach has been used for every Coronation since 1762 - Images supplied by The Royal Collection / © HM Queen Elizabeth II 2012
  • This pen was used by Queen Elizabeth II in 1953 to sign her Coronation Oath - Images supplied by The Royal Collection / © HM Queen Elizabeth II 2012
  • Princess Elizabeth trained as an ATS Officer during World War 2 - Images supplied by The Royal Collection / © HM Queen Elizabeth II 2012
  • The Investiture Sword, made for King George VI - Images supplied by The Royal Collection / © HM Queen Elizabeth II 2012
  • John Riley's portrait of Bridget Holmes, commissioned by King James II in 1686 - Images supplied by The Royal Collection / © HM Queen Elizabeth II 2012
  • These very expensive jewelled eggs were given as presents by Russia's royal family - Images supplied by The Royal Collection / © HM Queen Elizabeth II 2012
  • This photograph shows Queen Victoria and her family, including future King Edward VII, Tsar Nicholas II and Kaiser Wilhelm II - Images supplied by The Royal Collection / © HM Queen Elizabeth II 2012


Images for the Famous Monarchs lesson plan

  • The Abraham Tapestries, from Hampton Court - Images supplied by The Royal Collection / © HM Queen Elizabeth II 2012
  • Guido Mazzoni, Laughing Child, terracotta bust of a prince, possibly the future Henry VIII, (c.1498) - Images supplied by The Royal Collection / © HM Queen Elizabeth II 2012
  • The Field of Cloth of Gold - Images supplied by The Royal Collection / © HM Queen Elizabeth II 2012
  • Mary Queen of Scots, embroidered panel A Catte (1569-84) - Images supplied by The Royal Collection / © HM Queen Elizabeth II 2012
  • The Darnley Jewel - Images supplied by The Royal Collection / © HM Queen Elizabeth II 2012
  • Queen Elizabeth I wrote a poem in this book (before she was Queen) - Images supplied by The Royal Collection / © HM Queen Elizabeth II 2012
  • Ivory veneered throne chair and footstool, Travancore, India (1850) - Images supplied by The Royal Collection / © HM Queen Elizabeth II 2012
  • A Garden Party at Buckingham Palace 28 June 1897 - Images supplied by The Royal Collection / © HM Queen Elizabeth II 2012
  • Ticker tape recording of Queen Victoria's message to President James Buchanan sent via the Trans-Atlantic cable Images supplied by The Royal Collection / © HM Queen Elizabeth II 2012
  • Louis Haghe's The Great Exhibition: Moving Machinery (1851) - Images supplied by The Royal Collection / © HM Queen Elizabeth II 2012
  • Queen Victoria's personal copy of the portable handlist catalogue of the Great Exhibition - Images supplied by The Royal Collection / © HM Queen Elizabeth II 2012
  • FX Winterhalter, Queen Victoria, private gift to Prince Albert (1843) - Images supplied by The Royal Collection / © HM Queen Elizabeth II 2012
  • This photograph shows Queen Victoria and her family, including future King Edward VII, Tsar Nicholas II and Kaiser Wilhelm II - Images supplied by The Royal Collection / © HM Queen Elizabeth II 2012
  • Princess Elizabeth, Charlotte the parrot, Queen Mary, Snip the dog and the Earl of Athlone at Balmoral - Images supplied by The Royal Collection / © HM Queen Elizabeth II 2012
  • Princess Elizabeth trained as an ATS Officer during World War 2 - Images supplied by The Royal Collection / © HM Queen Elizabeth II 2012

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Key Stage 2 & 3 Lesson Plans and Worksheets


Images for the Role of a Monarch lesson plan

  • This huge two-handed sword is almost two metres in length! It was made to be carried in battle and dates back to the 14th century. Images supplied by The Royal Collection / © HM Queen Elizabeth II 2012
  • The Investiture Sword, made for King George VI - Images supplied by The Royal Collection / © HM Queen Elizabeth II 2012
  • Coronation Spoon - Images supplied by The Royal Collection / © HM Queen Elizabeth II 2012
  • Caddinet made by Anthony Nelme, which was supplied for the coronation banquet of William and Mary on 11th April 1689 - Images supplied by The Royal Collection / © HM Queen Elizabeth II 2012
  • The Gold State Coach has been used for every Coronation since 1762 - Images supplied by The Royal Collection / © HM Queen Elizabeth II 2012
  • The Imperial State Crown - Images supplied by The Royal Collection / © HM Queen Elizabeth II 2012
  • This sword and scabbard is set with 719 diamonds - Images supplied by The Royal Collection / © HM Queen Elizabeth II 2012
  • Ivory veneered throne chair and footstool, Travancore, India (1850) - Images supplied by The Royal Collection / © HM Queen Elizabeth II 2012
  • The Abraham Tapestries, from Hampton Court - Images supplied by The Royal Collection / © HM Queen Elizabeth II 2012
  • This vase was acquired by Queen Elizabeth II in 2004 for the Royal Collection - Images supplied by The Royal Collection / © HM Queen Elizabeth II 2012
  • Prince Henry of Wales's armour (circa 1608) - Images supplied by The Royal Collection / © HM Queen Elizabeth II 2012
  • This ceremonial table salt was given as a gift to King Charles II by the city of Exeter in 1660. - Images supplied by The Royal Collection / © HM Queen Elizabeth II 2012
  • Princess Elizabeth trained as an ATS Officer during World War 2 - Images supplied by The Royal Collection / © HM Queen Elizabeth II 2012
  • Painting which shows the Tudor king setting sail from England en route to his meeting with the French king, Francis I, at the Field of the Cloth of Gold - Images supplied by The Royal Collection / © HM Queen Elizabeth II 2012


Images for the Famous Monarchs lesson plan

  • Guido Mazzoni, Laughing Child, terracotta bust of a prince, possibly the future Henry VIII, (c.1498) - Images supplied by The Royal Collection / © HM Queen Elizabeth II 2012
  • The Field of Cloth of Gold - Images supplied by The Royal Collection / © HM Queen Elizabeth II 2012
  • Mary Queen of Scots, embroidered panel A Catte (1569-84) - Images supplied by The Royal Collection / © HM Queen Elizabeth II 2012
  • The Darnley Jewel - Images supplied by The Royal Collection / © HM Queen Elizabeth II 2012
  • The Family of Henry VII with George and the Dragon - Images supplied by The Royal Collection / © HM Queen Elizabeth II 2012
  • Queen Elizabeth I wrote a poem in this book (before she was Queen) - Images supplied by The Royal Collection / © HM Queen Elizabeth II 2012
  • Van Dyck's painting Charles I in Three Positions - Images supplied by The Royal Collection / © HM Queen Elizabeth II 2012
  • The Abraham Tapestries, from Hampton Court - Images supplied by The Royal Collection / © HM Queen Elizabeth II 2012
  • The edited image of the ailing King George III - Images supplied by The Royal Collection / © HM Queen Elizabeth II 2012
  • Enamel portrait of George III - Images supplied by The Royal Collection / © HM Queen Elizabeth II 2012
  • King George III had his own flock at Windsor Castle - Images supplied by The Royal Collection / © HM Queen Elizabeth II 2012
  • Ivory veneered throne chair and footstool, Travancore, India (1850) - Images supplied by The Royal Collection / © HM Queen Elizabeth II 2012
  • A Garden Party at Buckingham Palace 28 June 1897 - Images supplied by The Royal Collection / © HM Queen Elizabeth II 2012
  • Ticker tape recording of Queen Victoria's message to President James Buchanan sent via the Transatlantic cable Images supplied by The Royal Collection / © HM Queen Elizabeth II 2012
  • Louis Haghe's The Great Exhibition: Moving Machinery (1851) - Images supplied by The Royal Collection / © HM Queen Elizabeth II 2012
  • Queen Victoria's personal copy of the portable handlist catalogue of the Great Exhibition - Images supplied by The Royal Collection / © HM Queen Elizabeth II 2012
  • FX Winterhalter, Queen Victoria, private gift to Prince Albert (1843) - Images supplied by The Royal Collection / © HM Queen Elizabeth II 2012
  • This photograph shows Queen Victoria and her family, including future King Edward VII, Tsar Nicholas II and Kaiser Wilhelm II - Images supplied by The Royal Collection / © HM Queen Elizabeth II 2012
  • Princess Elizabeth, Charlotte the parrot, Queen Mary, Snip the dog and the Earl of Athlone at Balmoral - Images supplied by The Royal Collection / © HM Queen Elizabeth II 2012
  • Princess Elizabeth trained as an ATS Officer during World War 2 - Images supplied by The Royal Collection / © HM Queen Elizabeth II 2012


Images for the Monarch's Changing Role lesson plan

  • Coronation Spoon - Images supplied by The Royal Collection / © HM Queen Elizabeth II 2012
  • The Family of Henry VII with George and the Dragon - Images supplied by The Royal Collection / © HM Queen Elizabeth II 2012
  • This alterpiece shows James III of Scotland, Saint Andrew, Queen Margaret and St George - Images supplied by The Royal Collection / © HM Queen Elizabeth II 2012
  • Guido Mazzoni, Laughing Child, terracotta bust of a prince, possibly the future Henry VIII, (c.1498) - Images supplied by The Royal Collection / © HM Queen Elizabeth II 2012
  • William and Mary's signatures - Images supplied by The Royal Collection / © HM Queen Elizabeth II 2012
  • Caddinet made by Anthony Nelme, which was supplied for the coronation banquet of William and Mary on 11th April 1689 - Images supplied by The Royal Collection / © HM Queen Elizabeth II 2012
  • Articles of Union, 1706 - Images supplied by The Royal Collection / © HM Queen Elizabeth II 2012
  • This sword and scabbard is set with 719 diamonds given by the Maharajah of Jaipur to King Edward VII at the latter's coronation - Images supplied by The Royal Collection / © HM Queen Elizabeth II 2012
  • Heitiki presented to George III by Captain J. Cook, New Zealand (18th century) - Images supplied by The Royal Collection / © HM Queen Elizabeth II 2012
  • Shard from the coffin of George Washington, given to the future King Edward VII on his trip to the US in 1860 - Images supplied by The Royal Collection / © HM Queen Elizabeth II 2012
  • Ivory veneered throne chair and footstool, Travancore, India (1850) - Images supplied by The Royal Collection / © HM Queen Elizabeth II 2012

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