World War One and the Royal Family

Just in addition to my article on how the Great War began, the below is just a look at another aspect of the First World War.

As is often mentioned, the royal houses of Europe were well connected. Just below is a diagram which actually only shows some of the royal players that I could put here. The main links shown are between the royal family of Great Britain, and the imperial houses of Germany and Russia.

For example, ‘Vikki’, as Queen Victoria’s eldest daughter was known, was married to the future German Emperor Frederick so as to have a British liberalising effect on Germany. Decades before the First World War, Princess Vikki was effectively on a long-term British diplomatic mission to defeat the conservatism and reactionary nature of Otto von Bismarck’s government. Once again, this was one of those occasions where the First World War really could have been avoided. Vikki’s husband was receptive to Britain’s message. Sadly, months after ascending the throne, he died, and the less predictable, non-reforming and militaristic Wilhelm II became emperor instead.

Also of interest is the Danish royal family. While Victoria was known as the ‘grandmother of Europe’, King Christian IX was known as the ‘grandfather of Europe’. On top of the Emperor of Russia, King of Great Britain and (of course) the future Kings of Denmark, his other descendants not shown above were the Kings of Greece, the Kings of Norway, and the exiled Kings of Hanover. Not only is the Danish connection how Prince Philip (a Greek prince) is a blood relation to the Queen, but also is one of the two connections between the British Royals and the Russian Emperors (shown above).