Secrets of Westminster

Explore hidden worlds of London’s House of Commons, House of Lords and Westminster Abbey.

In "Secrets of Westminster," viewers see the hidden areas of London’s House of Commons, House of Lords and Westminster Abbey. Throughout its history, Westminster has embodied stories of power struggles and tradition. As one of the world’s most famous churches, Westminster Abbey is steeped in Anglo-Saxon myths and legends dating back to the 11th century. Viewers are privy to a behind-the-scenes tour to one of the most memorable vantage points of this architectural masterpiece, the site of the coronations of every English monarch since 1066. The film charts the brazen heist of the Stone of Destiny, part of the famous Coronation Chair, first used by Edward the Confessor in 1296. The theft, on Christmas Eve in 1950, made international headlines. Scotsman Ian Hamilton reveals how he and others planned and carried out the theft, then returned the storied stone in time for Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation.