Great Britain is one of the few countries that have preserved the traditions of the monarchy. Today, the Kingdom is headed by the Windsor Dynasty, leading its origin from Queen Victoria. It is interesting to look into the depths of centuries and find out how this noble family ascended the throne. And, perhaps, it should begin with the fact that its roots are far from British.
German blood of the royal family
The ruling family of Great Britain is the Windsor Dynasty. Its history originates from the famous princely family of Germany - Vettinov. This family received its name in the second half of the 10th century from the name of the family castle. It was acquired around the year 1000 by Count Gassegau Dietrich I. Since then, the genealogy can be traced clearly, although the name of the ancestors of the founder of the genus is unknown. None of the versions that the researchers offer have any documentary evidence.
Almost five hundred years later, in 1485, the descendants of Dietrich I Ernst and Albrecht divided the estates. The event went down in history as the Leipzig section. Since then, the Vettin line doubles into Albertinsky and Ernestinsky. From the second comes the ruling England dynasty of the Windsor.
Connection of dynasties
Representatives of this family have been in leadership positions for over 800 years. Thanks to their favorable position and advantageous marriages, today they head the thrones of Belgium and Great Britain.
It all started with the marriage of Victoria with Prince Albert, who belonged to the Saxons. The queen herself came from the Hanover dynasty. Representatives of this genus in total occupied the throne in Great Britain from 1714 to 1901. It was through the marriage of Victoria and Albert that two dynasties joined: Hanover and Windsor.
From a noble family to a family castle
The new line actually began to rule in Britain with the beginning of the reign of Edward VII (the son of Victoria and Albert). But from the point of view of the law, Edward VII (years of reign - 1901-1910) is officially the first and last of the Saxon, paternal, kind.
The successor was his son George V, the grandson of Queen Victoria. It was this man in 1917 who changed his German surname to English. So there were Windsor. The name is borrowed from Windsor Castle, the residence of British monarchs. Therefore, in fact, the Windsor dynasty began with George V, the grandson of Albert - the Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha.
Double of Nicholas II on the throne
George V (occupied the throne from 1910 to 1936) was born on July 3, 1865. His mother Alexandra was from a noble family and was the sister of Maria Fedorovna (wife of the Russian emperor). Therefore, cousins George V and Nicholas II were very similar faces.
From infancy, the boy had health problems, later he was sent to swimming. So he continuously stayed on the ship for fourteen years. He lived like a sailor, got a parrot and stuffed tattoos. Returning to England, he was educated and married a princess who was supposed to marry his older brother as the first contender for the throne. George V led the country in 1911. Interestingly, during the coronation, his wife was consecrated as Mary, although her name was Victoria at birth. Such a move was made intentionally. The Windsor Dynasty in England decided that from now on no woman could bear the name of the great Empress Victoria. Also, emperors could not bear the name of her husband Victoria - Albert.
With the outbreak of World War I, King George V issued a decree changing the name from Saxon to British. This was a manifestation of patriotism, which was supported by subjects with German roots.
Before his death, the king was seriously ill. He died in 1936. Only fifty years later, it became known that his doctor intentionally injected him with a lethal dose of morphine and cocaine.
The royal Windsor dynasty continued with the eldest son of George V - Edward VIII (he ruled the country from January 20 to December 11, 1936).
King in love
Edward VIII (future monarch, son of George V) after birth was given to the nanny. Such separation from parents then created misunderstandings in the family. He participated in the First World War. Later, he openly admired fascism.
At one of the receptions I met a beautiful and strong woman Wallis Simpson, who was married to an American businessman. Between young people feelings arose. They did not hide their love, although earlier there were rumors about Edward's homosexuality.
He ascended the throne after the death of his father George V, but abdicated in favor of his brother George VI after ten months of reign. It was a necessary step, which the Windsor pushed him to. The dynasty was against Edward's marriage to a divorced woman. In turn, the king, when he explained the reasons for the abdication, said that he could not rule without the support of his beloved. At the wedding of Edward VIII and Wallis, the groom's family was absent. Their marriage was strong and lasted until the death of the ex-ruler. The wife lived after that for another fourteen years. She was buried next to her husband.
Oscar-winning King
After a scandal in the family, the throne was taken by the younger brother of Edward VIII, the second son of George V, George VI (at birth he was given the name Albert, then replaced by George according to the tradition that the Windsor dynasty observes). History knows him as a person from the people. Years of government - from 1936 to 1952.
The boy was weak and received even less attention from his parents than the elder Edward. The nanny also did not devote time to the development of the child, so the future emperor grew up as a stutter.
He was at the First World War, but did not take part in the battles. In 1923 he got married. Subsequently, it was his wife, Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, who made the real king out of a modest, quiet man.
In 1936, George VI unexpectedly took the place of brother Edward VIII and became a monarch. The beginning of his reign coincided with the beginning of World War II. It was he, a stutter from childhood, who had to inform the people about the entry of Great Britain into the war. These events were filmed in the Oscar-winning film "The King Speaks!"
During the bombing of London, more than a million inhabitants were in the city, and the Windsor remained. The dynasty decided not to leave the capital and its subjects. Representatives of the ruling clan, like all ordinary people, after sirens fled to the basement. They led a modest life. Together with all, they welcomed the victory.
George VI died in 1952. His heir was the eldest daughter Elizabeth II, who currently leads England.
First queen of the world
Most monarchical regimes were removed during the first half of the twentieth century. But such innovations did not affect conservative England. The successor of King George VI was Elizabeth II. She is the eldest of two daughters. Born on April 21 in 1926. She received an excellent education at home. In 1945 she entered the military service. I learned to drive and repair cars.
Elizabeth II is the first queen to travel around the world. She is also one of the richest women in Europe. Colossal amounts are allocated annually for the treatment of Elizabeth. She is trying to treat all politicians equally well.
The queen still rules England and is not going to abandon the throne in favor of descendants. In 2012, she celebrated her sixtieth anniversary as head of the UK.
Another merit of it is that, despite the change of surnames, the house of kings continues to be led by the Windsor dynasty. The modern standard of the monarchy is Queen Elizabeth II.
The inconspicuous husband of the great queen
At the age of thirteen, Elizabeth fell in love with the poor, but titled son of the Greek king Philip. He was raised by his mother and sisters. Father was famous for his love deeds.
The family was against such a party for her daughter, but the stubborn Elizabeth convinced her parents of the expediency of the marriage, after which she repeatedly regretted it.
On November 20, 1947, the couple played a modest wedding in connection with the recent war. They had four children. Philip's surname is Mountbatten, so all children have a double naming: Mountbatten-Windsor.
There is evidence that Prince Philip had several mistresses, relations with whom he did not so carefully hide. Nevertheless, Queen Elizabeth retained the marriage, although she preferred the fate of the ruler, rather than the wife and mother.
Prince Charles
Charles was born on November 14, 1948. After the death of his grandfather, George VI, and the coronation of his mother, a three-year-old boy received the title of prince. They continue the Windsor dynasty. Philip was to raise Charles and other children. In hierarchy, the descendants were higher than him. Because of envy, he often beat his children.
So in search of warmth and love, Charles came under the influence of Lord Mountbatten, who was not distinguished by aristocratic manners and led a dissolute life.
The young prince attended an elite school and, despite the poor grades, continued his studies at Cambridge University.
