10 Most Distinguished TV Shows About Royalty & Where to Watch Them

10. The Great (2020–2023)

Our first stop is the Russian Empire. Leave your historical accuracy expectations at the door, please: the show follows Catherine the Great’s ascent to power and her struggle with her deranged and psychotic husband Peter III, but as a dark comedy, not a lesson. It’s hilarious, it’s well-crafted, and it’s worth every minute of your time.

You can watch The Great on Hulu, Apple TV, and Prime Video.

9. Versailles (2015–2018)

To France we go! There, an all-powerful King Louis XIV has a wonderful ambition: he dreams of creating the biggest, most beautiful palace in history — Versailles. But King or not, you can’t do much when your budget is in shambles, and your political opposition is willing to go to any length to ruin your plans. Or can you?..

You can watch Versailles on Netflix, Apple TV, and Prime Video.

8. Outlander ( 2014–Now)

Scotland it is, but this time, with a twist: instead of following a real character, we’ve got a time-traveler! A WWII nurse mysteriously travels two centuries back, where she meets a dashing member of the Highlands “royalty,” and trust us: if you’ve been needing a break from the classic golden palace royalty vibe, this is the show for you.

You can watch Outlander on Hulu, Netflix, Apple TV, and Prime Video.

7. The Spanish Princess (2019–2020)

Spain and England, enemies by fate and… That’s it, really. This series follows Catherine of Aragon, the Spanish Princess whose betrothal to the English heir apparent was supposed to end the rivalry between the two kingdoms. But the situation gets out of hand when the princess falls for her husband’s younger brother.

You can watch The Spanish Princess on Apple TV and Prime Video.

6. The White Queen (2013)

We’re not leaving the British Isles just yet, don’t worry. In The White Queen, the backdrop is nothing short of dramatic: it’s the Wars of the Roses, the notorious fight for the throne between two powerful noble families and their allies. Battles aside, behind the scenes, three women are manipulating the events to gain power.

You can watch The White Queen on Max, Hulu, Apple TV, and Prime Video.

5. The White Princess (2017)

All wars, no matter how bloody and long, come to an end, and the Wars of the Roses from our previous show did, too. The White Queen’s daughter, Elizabeth of York, became the trade-off for her family’s defeat: to secure peace in England, she was married off to the new king, her house’s enemy and now, her liege and husband.

You can watch The White Princess on Hulu, Apple TV, and Prime Video.

4. The Crown ( 2016–2023)

If you want to learn more about the royalty that’s still around, look no further than The Crown. This ambitious series follows the life, drama, and reign of the late Queen Elizabeth II. From World War II to the present day, you can watch how the British royalty shaped the world around — and how the world shaped this ancient clan.

You can watch The Crown on Netflix.

3. The Tudors (2007–2010)

Remember Catherine of Aragon from The Spanish Princess? Well, welcome her back as The Tudors is set against the backdrop of her husband Henry VIII’s rule. Filled with political intrigues, internal struggles, and personal drama, The Tudors might not tell you the story of the entire bloodline, but it really doesn’t need to.

You can watch The Tudors on Prime Video.

2. Victoria (2016–2019)

If you haven’t figured it out by now, we’re very much not leaving the British Isles at all. Why? Because one century before The Crown’s Queen Elizabeth II, the young princess Victoria ascended to the throne. Her rule was made difficult by her tender age and lack of experience, but the monarch pulled through and became beloved.

You can watch Victoria on Prime Video.

1. Reign (2013–2017)

For the final TV show, we’ll move to France, but only because you asked. Mary Stuart, the legendary Queen of Scots, didn’t belong in the French court, but that’s where fate took her. Royalty or not, there’s only one correct thing to do if you’re stuck somewhere you don’t belong: make it everyone else’s problem instead of yours.

You can watch Reign on Apple TV and Prime Video.