ITV to air documentary about Queen’s domestic violence campaigning
The Queen was followed over the course of a year for a documentary looking at her work raising awareness of domestic violence.
ITV announced it has commissioned Her Majesty The Queen: Behind Closed Doors, which will air later in 2024.
Film crews were given exclusive access to Camilla, who has worked for many years to highlight the problem of domestic abuse, and she will be shown in never-before-seen private meetings with survivors.
Over the past week, The Queen has visited three support spaces and centres for survivors of domestic abuse.
Today, Her Majesty privately met with staff and survivors at @RefugeCharity's Gaia Centre in South London. Click to read more about The Queen's work in this area.
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) January 23, 2024
Sue Murphy, ITV’s director of factual entertainment, said: “ITV is proud to be making this documentary with Her Majesty the Queen about this hugely important subject.
“We hope the film will raise awareness and inspire change in our society.”
The 90-minute programme will feature interviews with survivors, relatives who have lost loved ones and those working to end the violence.
Among those who will appear is Diana Parkes, whose daughter Joanna Simpson was brutally killed by her estranged husband in 2010.
Camilla has credited hearing Ms Parkes’ story as the turning point which inspired her work with domestic abuse victims.
Ms Parkes co-founded the Joanna Simpson Foundation in memory of her daughter and was made a CBE for services to vulnerable children suffering from domestic abuse and domestic homicide.
Kate Teckman, ITV’s head of development and commissioning editor, said: “With exclusive access to Her Majesty as she meets the incredible survivors of domestic abuse, this film tells the stories of those who have suffered and their families, including Diana Parkes, as they bravely and selflessly share their experiences to raise awareness and help others.”
The Queen will be shown hosting round-tables with teenagers, celebrating International Women’s Day at Buckingham Palace, and meeting survivors who, if they had not made it to a refuge, could have lost their lives.
The film will also explore why perpetrators abuse, and how to stop the cycle of abuse.
One in five adults experiences domestic abuse in their lifetime, and it is estimated that around three women die by suicide as a result of domestic abuse every week.
News of the documentary, made by production company Love Monday, first emerged in January.
ITV’s commissioning of the project was announced ahead of ITV boss Kevin Lygo’s appearance at the Edinburgh TV Festival on Wednesday.
Her Majesty The Queen: Behind Closed Doors will be shown on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player later this year.
