What I'm Watching... The Windsors

The Windsors
Channel 4

There is two thing we can all agree that the British do well. One, comedy. Two, taking the piss out of themselves. And nothing really sums those two things up better than George Jeffrie's and Bert Tyler-Moore's The Windsors. 

The Windsors parodies Britain's royal family in a mock soap-opera style, imagining what really happens behind the palace walls. The show follows Wills and (gypsy) Kate as they struggle to find a common ground between performing their royal duties and living the common life they've always wanted, Camilla as she plots like Claudius to ascend the throne, Charles as he proves he is liked, Beatrice and Eugenia as they eat lunch and go shopping, Pippa as she tries to seduce Harry, and Harry as he tries to learn to read. Just a typical day in the life of royalty.  

As an American, I will admit, I love the royal family. Yes, I got up at 4 in the morning to watch Wills and Kate's wedding. Yes, I waited for 3 hours on Remembrance day just to get a fleeting glimpse of The Queen's hat. Yes, I toured Buckingham Palace a cried a little when I went into the throne room. But that aside, as a self-proclaimed honorary Brit, I can also appreciate the absolute ridiculousness of them. I understand the Brits sentiment when they say, "what exactly is the point of them?" But then again, what would the Brits do if they didn't have the Royals to complain about?

The Windsors effortless captures the love, hate relationship the Brits have their divine ruler and her messed up family. It's over exaggerates each member's quicks to create a fabulously hilarious program. Yet, it isn't hearsay or rumor; it's not the Daily Mail on screen. But rather it's a smart and charming commentary on British culture and the role of royalty in modern British society.   

Jeffrey's and Tyler-Moore's writing is fun and amusing, but the real star of the show has got to be the brilliant cast. Although, I do have a hard time believing Hugh Skinner and Louis Ford as the regal, yet common, Wills and Kate, Richard Goulding (Harry), Haydn Gwynn (Camilla), and Ellie White (Beatrice) are phenomenally hilarious in their portrayal of the fictionalized royals. I personally am obsessed with ridiculously fanciful and cool Beatrice and Eugenie are... I kinda want to be them. Goulding absolutely captures the essence of Prince Harry, even if his attributes are amplified. Soon, Goulding is just going to morph into Prince Harry, since he seems to play him in every fictionalized version of the family. But I personally don't mind that because he's brilliant. And, let's be honest, a villainous Camilla can't be too fictionalized, can it?

The Windsors is a smart, riotous, and current depiction of one of the world's most ancient institutions. But in the midst of the fun and games, it does remind the audience of the role and place the Royals have in British society and culture. Would the country to anarchy without them? Problem not. But Britain would be a little less British without them? Absolutely (again, coming from the American tourist).

Also, if this wasn't enough to get you to watch this series, Wills and Kate (and probably Harry, because, you know, he does everything Wills and Kate do) actually watch the show as well. So, if they can laugh at a show that takes the absolute piss out of their family and their place in society than you can laugh at it too.  

The Windsors Series Two Review