Julia Melchior

It marks the beginning of a new era in Denmark’s monarchy when Frederik X becomes king on January 14, 2024. On that day, the spotlight will also turn to him: Christian, the new Crown Prince. More duties, more public appearances, and more responsibility now await the royal, who has just come of age. Not much is known about Christian and his siblings—Isabella, Vincent, and Josephine—who are now also stepping more into the spotlight. Although they live in the heart of Copenhagen and attend public schools, there are no photos of them outside of official appearances. The Danes respect the privacy of their royal family and the princes’ and princesses’ right to a childhood. So far, Denmark’s young royal children have grown up without media pressure and with plenty of family warmth, able to develop freely and confidently in a protected environment.

They are the most famous sisters in the Netherlands: the so-called “A-Team”—Amalia, Alexia, and Ariane, the daughters of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima. As they come of age, the younger daughters are also drawing public attention. However, only the eldest, Princess Amalia, bears any responsibility. Her path is predetermined as the future Queen of the Netherlands. Princess Alexia and Princess Ariane, however, have a choice. Will they dedicate themselves to serving the royal family, like their great-aunt Margriet, for whom this has been a life’s work for more than 60 years? Or will they follow the example of King Willem-Alexander’s brothers, who went their own way as “freelance royals”?

Since her husband Willem-Alexander became King of the Netherlands in 2013, Queen Máxima has become a prominent figure of the Dutch monarchy. Her role seems perfectly suited to her: as Queen of the Netherlands and a former economist, she combines her royal duties with a strong commitment to financial inclusion and development. As a United Nations Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development, Máxima works to improve access to financial services, consumer protection and financial education for people around the world. Her schedule takes her from meetings with political and business leaders to official engagements and international events. The documentary follows Queen Máxima in her demanding role and offers an intimate look at her work, public responsibilities and life as a mother of three.

She is one of the longest-serving first ladies in the world: Silvia of Sweden. On December 23, the queen beloved by many Germans will celebrate her 80th birthday. To mark the occasion, she shares insights into her life with Julia Melchior in an exclusive interview for Terra X History. The marriage of King Carl Gustaf to Silvia, a commoner from Heidelberg, marked the beginning of a new chapter for the Swedish crown in 1976. Calls for a republic were loud at the time, but Silvia helped usher in a renaissance for the monarchy and restored the royal family’s luster. Silvia herself always saw herself as a working mother. Her job: queen. For this self-image, she is considered a trailblazer in the royal scene.

As recently as the 1990s, many viewed her as a threat to the monarchy. Today, Camilla is one of the main pillars of support for the king and the royal family. As First Lady, she has no constitutional role, but she plays a fundamental one. The documentary tells the story of a strong woman and a great love.

Queen Silvia is an icon; Crown Princess Victoria is a superstar. Mother and daughter bring glamour and good news. Constant public scrutiny and a life dictated by others are the price they pay. Would the Swedish monarchy even have a future without them? This film by royal expert Julia Melchior examines the role of strong women in one of Europe’s most popular royal families. Royals have no power, but they do have influence. Strictly speaking, Queen Silvia, as the wife of the reigning king, is merely the “queen consort.” There is no official job description for First Ladies; representing the monarchy is generally expected. Queen Silvia, however, has filled her role with a mission. She breaks taboos to give a voice to the most vulnerable members of society. With diplomatic skill, she defuses many a precarious situation. And with courage and poise, she also overcomes challenges within her own family.

It marks the beginning of a new era in Denmark’s monarchy when Frederik X becomes king on January 14, 2024. On that day, the spotlight will also turn to him: Christian, the new Crown Prince. More duties, more public appearances, and more responsibility now await the royal, who has just come of age. Not much is known about Christian and his siblings—Isabella, Vincent, and Josephine—who are now also stepping more into the spotlight. Although they live in the heart of Copenhagen and attend public schools, there are no photos of them outside of official appearances. The Danes respect the privacy of their royal family and the princes’ and princesses’ right to a childhood. So far, Denmark’s young royal children have grown up without media pressure and with plenty of family warmth, able to develop freely and confidently in a protected environment.

They are the most famous sisters in the Netherlands: the so-called “A-Team”—Amalia, Alexia, and Ariane, the daughters of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima. As they come of age, the younger daughters are also drawing public attention. However, only the eldest, Princess Amalia, bears any responsibility. Her path is predetermined as the future Queen of the Netherlands. Princess Alexia and Princess Ariane, however, have a choice. Will they dedicate themselves to serving the royal family, like their great-aunt Margriet, for whom this has been a life’s work for more than 60 years? Or will they follow the example of King Willem-Alexander’s brothers, who went their own way as “freelance royals”?

Since her husband Willem-Alexander became King of the Netherlands in 2013, Queen Máxima has become a prominent figure of the Dutch monarchy. Her role seems perfectly suited to her: as Queen of the Netherlands and a former economist, she combines her royal duties with a strong commitment to financial inclusion and development. As a United Nations Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development, Máxima works to improve access to financial services, consumer protection and financial education for people around the world. Her schedule takes her from meetings with political and business leaders to official engagements and international events. The documentary follows Queen Máxima in her demanding role and offers an intimate look at her work, public responsibilities and life as a mother of three.

She is one of the longest-serving first ladies in the world: Silvia of Sweden. On December 23, the queen beloved by many Germans will celebrate her 80th birthday. To mark the occasion, she shares insights into her life with Julia Melchior in an exclusive interview for Terra X History. The marriage of King Carl Gustaf to Silvia, a commoner from Heidelberg, marked the beginning of a new chapter for the Swedish crown in 1976. Calls for a republic were loud at the time, but Silvia helped usher in a renaissance for the monarchy and restored the royal family’s luster. Silvia herself always saw herself as a working mother. Her job: queen. For this self-image, she is considered a trailblazer in the royal scene.

She is one of the longest-serving first ladies in the world: Silvia of Sweden. On December 23, the queen beloved by many Germans will celebrate her 80th birthday. To mark the occasion, she shares insights into her life with Julia Melchior in an exclusive interview for Terra X History. The marriage of King Carl Gustaf to Silvia, a commoner from Heidelberg, marked the beginning of a new chapter for the Swedish crown in 1976. Calls for a republic were loud at the time, but Silvia helped usher in a renaissance for the monarchy and restored the royal family’s luster. Silvia herself always saw herself as a working mother. Her job: queen. For this self-image, she is considered a trailblazer in the royal scene.

As recently as the 1990s, many viewed her as a threat to the monarchy. Today, Camilla is one of the main pillars of support for the king and the royal family. As First Lady, she has no constitutional role, but she plays a fundamental one. The documentary tells the story of a strong woman and a great love.

As recently as the 1990s, many viewed her as a threat to the monarchy. Today, Camilla is one of the main pillars of support for the king and the royal family. As First Lady, she has no constitutional role, but she plays a fundamental one. The documentary tells the story of a strong woman and a great love.

Queen Silvia is an icon; Crown Princess Victoria is a superstar. Mother and daughter bring glamour and good news. Constant public scrutiny and a life dictated by others are the price they pay. Would the Swedish monarchy even have a future without them? This film by royal expert Julia Melchior examines the role of strong women in one of Europe’s most popular royal families. Royals have no power, but they do have influence. Strictly speaking, Queen Silvia, as the wife of the reigning king, is merely the “queen consort.” There is no official job description for First Ladies; representing the monarchy is generally expected. Queen Silvia, however, has filled her role with a mission. She breaks taboos to give a voice to the most vulnerable members of society. With diplomatic skill, she defuses many a precarious situation. And with courage and poise, she also overcomes challenges within her own family.

Queen Silvia is an icon; Crown Princess Victoria is a superstar. Mother and daughter bring glamour and good news. Constant public scrutiny and a life dictated by others are the price they pay. Would the Swedish monarchy even have a future without them? This film by royal expert Julia Melchior examines the role of strong women in one of Europe’s most popular royal families. Royals have no power, but they do have influence. Strictly speaking, Queen Silvia, as the wife of the reigning king, is merely the “queen consort.” There is no official job description for First Ladies; representing the monarchy is generally expected. Queen Silvia, however, has filled her role with a mission. She breaks taboos to give a voice to the most vulnerable members of society. With diplomatic skill, she defuses many a precarious situation. And with courage and poise, she also overcomes challenges within her own family.

Over the centuries, it has been put to the test time and again: the Swedish monarchy, one of the oldest in the world and, at the same time, one of the most modern. What is the secret to the success of the Swedish royals, who enjoy such great popularity? “Moving with the times for Sweden”: King Carl Gustaf has made this the motto of his reign. As a result, gender equality has long been a part of the Swedish royal family. In 1980, the law of succession was amended to grant men and women equal inheritance rights. Marriages to commoners have also become a tradition. Sweden’s royal children are free to marry whomever they choose. The king himself set the example when he married Silvia Sommerlath from Heidelberg in 1976.

Over the centuries, it has been put to the test time and again: the Swedish monarchy, one of the oldest in the world and, at the same time, one of the most modern. What is the secret to the success of the Swedish royals, who enjoy such great popularity? “Moving with the times for Sweden”: King Carl Gustaf has made this the motto of his reign. As a result, gender equality has long been a part of the Swedish royal family. In 1980, the law of succession was amended to grant men and women equal inheritance rights. Marriages to commoners have also become a tradition. Sweden’s royal children are free to marry whomever they choose. The king himself set the example when he married Silvia Sommerlath from Heidelberg in 1976.

As crown princes, Haakon and Frederik were born for the roles that await them, but they are shaped by the women by their sides. Mette-Marit and Mary serve as advisors, representatives, and sources of support for their husbands. The two crown prince couples see themselves as equals and view their roles as a team effort. This is how they navigate the balancing act between the crown and family, duty and self-determination, old traditions and new issues—albeit in very different ways in both kingdoms. Who are the two crown princes who will ascend the throne in Norway and Denmark in the foreseeable future? In “My Husband, the Crown Prince,” ZDF royal expert Julia Melchior offers a personal look at the two heirs to the throne and the role their wives play in their lives.

As crown princes, Haakon and Frederik were born for the roles that await them, but they are shaped by the women by their sides. Mette-Marit and Mary serve as advisors, representatives, and sources of support for their husbands. The two crown prince couples see themselves as equals and view their roles as a team effort. This is how they navigate the balancing act between the crown and family, duty and self-determination, old traditions and new issues—albeit in very different ways in both kingdoms. Who are the two crown princes who will ascend the throne in Norway and Denmark in the foreseeable future? In “My Husband, the Crown Prince,” ZDF royal expert Julia Melchior offers a personal look at the two heirs to the throne and the role their wives play in their lives.

No synopsis available yet.

No profession, no say, no freedom of expression. Life as a prince consort is not exactly pleasure taxing. No constitution ascribes any function to the husband of a queen. Nowhere does it say what he must or must not do. A life in the shadow of the crown. Can that go well?

No profession, no say, no freedom of expression. Life as a prince consort is not exactly pleasure taxing. No constitution ascribes any function to the husband of a queen. Nowhere does it say what he must or must not do. A life in the shadow of the crown. Can that go well?

Royals in the 21st century? A job for power couples! While it’s hard to imagine the British royal family without the Queen, her successors have long since taken the reins. In Spain, Felipe and Letizia are already shouldering the responsibility. In the United Kingdom and Sweden, two more power couples—William and Kate, as well as Victoria and Daniel—are waiting in the wings.

"König Charles III - Tag der Krönung" is a TV Special on WeLT Television (formerly known as N24).

Daily cooperation between the generations is a challenge. As we learn from the royal family, this is no different in the royal household than it is in a family business. Carl Gustaf is (after fifty years on the throne) an experienced monarch, and Victoria is a strong-willed woman. She proved this when it came to the most important decision of her life: her husband, Daniel.

Daily cooperation between the generations is a challenge. As we learn from the royal family, this is no different in the royal household than it is in a family business. Carl Gustaf is (after fifty years on the throne) an experienced monarch, and Victoria is a strong-willed woman. She proved this when it came to the most important decision of her life: her husband, Daniel.

For more than 150 years, the Excelsior Hotel Ernst has stood at the foot of Cologne Cathedral, becoming one of the city's most prestigious landmarks and one of the world's last family-run luxury hotels. Artists, royalty, business leaders and politicians have passed through its doors, including Chancellor Konrad Adenauer, Empress Soraya, Karl May and the Kennedy family. The documentary explores the eventful history of the Grand Hotel and its owners against the backdrop of Cologne's own history. Behind-the-scenes footage offers a glimpse into the daily life of the hotel, while members of the owner family, employees and prominent guests recall extraordinary events, memorable encounters and amusing stories. Historical footage brings the hotel's long history to life and shows how closely the Excelsior Hotel Ernst is connected to the identity and history of Cologne.