A documentary about the royal family was "banned" by Buckingham Palace in the early 70s has resurfaced online 50 years later.

The Telegraph reports Royal Family, the BBC documentary that offered a glimpse into Queen Elizabeth's private life, was uploaded onto Youtube and viewed thousands of times before taken down.

The documentary was removed due to a copyright claim from the British broadcaster.

It was the first time that footage longer than a 90-second clip had been seen since it was taken off the air.

The rest of the film remains strictly "off-limits" to the public, which the curator of the National Portrait Gallery exhibition says is regrettable.

"Legend has it that the Queen doesn't want parts of it to be shown. Regrettably, the film hasn't been seen for a long time. It just disappeared. There is a reluctance for this to be revisited."

"I wish we could show it in its entirety. It tells you a lot about family life. And it redefined the nation's view of the Queen - the audience were amazed to be able to hear the Queen speaking spontaneously, and to see her in a domestic setting."

Historian Sarah Gristwood says that it was Prince Philips idea to film the family to show them in a more relatable light.

"Philip's belief was that if people could see their head of state as 'individuals, as people, I think it makes it much easier for them to accept the system.' He was against the idea of any "remoteness or majesty" in the people's view of their monarchy."