The British royal family is one of the oldest and most respected families in the world, with its roots tracing back centuries ago. However, what many people may not know is that there is a strong German influence in the royal family’s history, which continues to this day. In this article, we will explore how German is the British royal family by examining its historical connections as well as recent events involving members of the monarchy with German relatives or ties.

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  • Max Wellner & Team

    Max Wellner ist ein echter Nürnberger und kennt sich bestens aus in der Stadt. Mit Dragon's Nest bietet er seinen Gästen höchsten Komfort

German Influence on the British Royal Family

The British royal family has had a long history with Germany that dates back centuries ago when Queen Victoria married her first cousin Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha in 1840. This union brought together two powerful European monarchies, which strengthened their ties even further and created an alliance between them that still exists today. After their marriage, Queen Victoria adopted his surname “Saxe-Coburg and Gotha” as her own, thus officially connecting the two families through marriage.

Queen Victoria and Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha

Queen Victoria was one of Britain’s longest reigning monarchs who reigned from 1837 until 1901 when she passed away at age 81 after ruling for 63 years and 7 months. Her husband Prince Albert was born into a noble German family who was related to other European royalty such as the Austrian Habsburgs and Belgian Leopolds I & II among others. Although he was born in Coburg, Germany he spent most of his life living in England where he served as consort to Queen Victoria during her reign over Britain until his death in 1861 due to typhoid fever at just 42 years old.

King George V’s Change of Name from Saxe-Coburg and Gotha to Windsor

In 1917 during World War I King George V changed his name from “Saxe-Coburg and Gotha” to Windsor because it was more suitable for a wartime leader since it was less associated with Germany than his previous name was at that period due to anti-German sentiment among citizens within Britain during WWI. This change also helped set a precedent for future royals who would take on different surnames depending on their marital status or if they wanted something more fitting for their position within society such as Diana Spencer taking on her husband Prince Charles’ surname “Wales” after they got married instead of keeping her maiden name “Spencer” like many women do today when they get married.

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German Relatives of the British Monarchy

Despite changing their surname from Saxe-Coburg and Gotha to Windsor there are still plenty of members within the extended royal family who have strong ties or are direct descendants from Germany such as Princess Beatrice (who is Queen Elizabeth II’s granddaughter) whose father is Prince Andrew Duke Of York whose mother Sarah Ferguson Duchess Of York has direct ancestry back to Prussia (which used be part of Germany). Additionally, Princess Eugenie (who is also Queen Elizabeth II’s granddaughter) has an ancestor named John Christian William Frederick von Hanover who came from Hanover and used to be part of Germany before becoming part of its kingdom later on.

The Recent Royal Weddings Involving German Connections:

 In recent years there have been several royal weddings involving members from both sides having strong ties or being direct descendants from Germany such as Sophie Rhys Jones Countess Of Wessex marrying Edward Wessex Earl Of Wessex (who is Queen Elizabeth II’s youngest son) whose grandmother Alice Montagu Douglas Scott Duchess Of Gloucester had direct ancestry back Prussia just like Sarah Ferguson Duchess Of York mentioned earlier. Another example would be Pippa Middleton marrying James Matthews whose great grandfather Louis Gunther Marquess Of Milford Haven came from Baden which used to be part of Germany before becoming its duchy later on.

The Queen’s Visit To Germany In 2015  

In 2015 Queen Elizabeth II made an official visit to Berlin where she met with various dignitaries including President Joachim Gauck whom she presented with an honorary knighthood along with other awards throughout her trip while also visiting various places such as Brandenburg Gate which symbolizes unity between East & West Berlin since it once divided them before reunification happened in 1990. This visit marked her third time visiting Berlin since 1965 when she first visited after WWII ended making it quite a historic moment for both countries involved since it showed how far relations have come since then despite all odds against them at times.

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Conclusion

It’s clear that there are strong ties between Britain & Germany due mainly due to marriage alliances formed centuries ago by members within each country’s respective monarchies but also thanks to recent events such as wedding ceremonies involving people related either directly or indirectly through familial lines showing how intertwined these two countries are despite some trying times throughout history separating them apart temporarily only strengthen the bond even further overtime making them stronger than ever before now present.

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FAQ

Is the royal family of England German?

Queen Elizabeth II’s mother was British, so she only had a partial German heritage. However, this German heritage was visible in Elizabeth’s character, including her discipline and sense of duty. Her husband, Philip, had a predominantly German heritage and spoke fluent German.

Why is the British royal family so German?

This is because Queen Victoria, who belonged to the House of Hanover, married Prince Albert from the noble family of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha in the 19th century. It was his name that was passed on to their joint children. Sep. 13, 2022, will be the 150th anniversary of this royal marriage.

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What are the German roots of the British royal family?

On June 19, 1917, King George V changed the royal surname from Saxe-Coburg-Gotha to Windsor to distance himself from his cousin Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany.

Are most European royals German?

This House still exists today and is run by Georg Friedrich Ferdinand, who is a prominent businessman and the Prince of Prussia, as the great-great-grandson of Wilhelm II. Most European royal families are descended from German nobility.

Are British people German descendants?

A new detailed study of the genetics of British people has revealed that the Romans, Vikings, and Normans only had a small impact on the British DNA.

Does Prince Charles have German blood?

Prince Charles has German ancestry through both his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, and his father, Prince Philip. Both parents are distantly related to Queen Victoria, meaning they are cousins.

Author

  • Max Wellner & Team

    Max Wellner ist ein echter Nürnberger und kennt sich bestens aus in der Stadt. Mit Dragon's Nest bietet er seinen Gästen höchsten Komfort