Head Of State

This week's programme concentrates on the role of the Queen and her government. The episode opens with outgoing Prime Minister Tony Blair and his wife Cherie spending the weekend with the Royal Family at the Queen's Scottish estate, Balmoral. Elsewhere, the future prime minister, Gordon Brown, briefs the Queen in advance of his final budget as Chancellor. Preparations are shown for the spectacular State Opening of Parliament, as the crown jewels are removed from the Tower and the Queen's coachmen put on their 100-year-old costumes. Meanwhile, the government and the palace are preparing for the Queen's historic tour of the Baltic States, where no British monarch has ever set foot before.