A new course aimed at helping working journalists to report on the Royal Family has been launched ahead of the coronation of King Charles III.

The e-learning course from the National Council for the Training of Journalists will provide insight into the role of a royal reporter and highlights the complexities attached to reporting on the Royal Family including legal restrictions, royal protocols and ethical considerations.

The course features case studies with royal journalists past and present including Victoria Ward, royal correspondent at the Daily Telegraph, and former BBC royal correspondent Michael Cole, as well as David Reeve, who was a royal protection officer to the Royal Family.

It also explores the history of the relationship between the royals and the media, the impact of the Leveson Inquiry and the inquest of Princess Diana on royal reporting standards.

It is aimed at student journalists, news reporters and early-career editors and news editors.

Laura Adams, pictured, head of the Journalism Skills Academy, said: “The Royal Family is subjected to unprecedented levels of media attention following the death of Queen Elizabeth, the succession of King Charles and the publicity surrounding Harry and Meghan.

“Many people probably don’t realise that there are many complexities for journalists to navigate when reporting on the Royal Family. They must carefully balance royal protocols and legal and regulatory frameworks with public interest journalism.

“It is this dynamic that is explored in Reporting on the Royal Family.”

The course, which costs £50 + VAT, will be available on the NCTJ’s Journalism Skills Academy e-learning platform from Monday.