Moniek Bloks's Blog, page 101

First official photo of King Charles and Queen Camilla with the Prince and Princess of Wales

Buckingham Palace has released the first official photo of King Charles and Queen Camilla with the Prince and Princess of Wales. The photo was taken on 18 September, the day before The Queen’s funeral.

Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images

The post First official photo of King Charles and Queen Camilla with the Prince and Princess of Wales appeared first on History of Royal Women.

Review: The Serpent Queen (2022) – Episode 3

*contains affiliate links*

*spoilers*

We return to France with the third episode of The Serpent Queen.

Rahima’s main target has survived the gunpowder explosion but has lost her eye. However, with Catherine’s protection, she is saved from receiving lashes and is even rewarded with new clothes. We return to the past as Rahima and Catherine walk in the garden.

Henry is on campaign still, and we have jumped a year in time. But, then, Henry brings home a surprise – his mistress and illegitimate daughter – leaving both Diane and Catherine thunderstruck. Henry has undoubtedly grown in his father’s estimation.

Meanwhile, a devastated Catherine begins to burn Henry’s battlefield letters as Diane comes by to make a game plan. Diana advises her to get pregnant as quickly as possible so they will both maintain their position at court. Catherine finally but tearfully accepts Diane’s help. The new mistress is quickly dealt with and is later seen fleeing the court.

Henry’s older brother shows the first signs of illness as they discuss their (future) wives. Diane asks a favour of Henry, and both undergo a humiliating examination in front of the King. The doctor advises that they try a different position. Diane later urges him to go to his wife, and he finally does. In another room, Catherine’s death is being plotted.

Catherine finds herself late and suspects she may be pregnant. During a later audience, Henry’s older brother insults her, and she leaves in tears. Her father-in-law tears into him and beats him as the court watches on. Catherine’s period starts, shattering any hopes of a pregnancy. Catherine is attacked in the woods, but as she flees, she runs straight into Henry’s arms. They end up sleeping together in the woods.

Catherine returns to Ruggieri, telling him she needs to get pregnant – no matter the price. He throws her a book of potions. Catherine later leaves the book of potions in the rooms of her dressmaker. Henry’s older brother then dies suddenly during a tennis match as Catherine watches on and after drinking water handed to him by the painter. Catherine breaks the fourth wall by shrugging at the camera. The King is convinced that his son was poisoned and immediately blames the Emperor. Attention later shifts to Catherine herself and then to her dressmaker when the book is discovered. Catherine lets them take the dressmaker to prevent war and protect herself. The dressmaker is brutally executed. Catherine throws up as she runs back to her room.

The price has been paid – Catherine is pregnant and now also the new Dauphine of France.

In the present, we finally meet Mary, Queen of Scots, with her four maids, also all named Mary, who is Catherine’s daughter-in-law. The court is now mourning the death of Catherine’s son. Mary claims that the throne is now rightfully hers.

The third episode of The Serpent Queen contains A LOT. Not only is there a jump in time, but also a death, an execution and the introduction of a major new player. I’m interested to see what role Mary, Queen of Scots, will play as she literally has no claim to the throne whatsoever. However, I did like that they portrayed her as the white Queen in mourning.

The Serpent Queen is available now on STARZ and Amazon Prime. You can sign up here for Amazon Prime.

The post Review: The Serpent Queen (2022) – Episode 3 appeared first on History of Royal Women.

Imperial Consort Mei – The sorrowful poems from the consort who loved plum blossoms

Imperial Consort Mei’s love story with Emperor Xuanzong was very tragic, but it resulted in the creation of beautiful poetry. She was once the favourite concubine of Emperor Xuanzong. However, when the infamous Imperial Consort Yang Guifei arrived at the palace, Emperor Xuanzong neglected and banished Imperial Consort Mei. While Imperial Consort Mei suddenly lost favour with the Emperor, she managed to pour her sorrow into her poems. Her poems so deeply touched Emperor Xuanzong that he composed one of them to music. While Imperial Consort Mei did not win the heart of the Emperor, her poetry continues to live on and win the hearts of her readers.

Imperial Consort Mei was born around 725 C.E.[1] Her original name was Jiang Caiping. Her father, Jiang Zhongxun was a doctor. It was said that Jiang Caiping fostered a love of poetry and when she was five years old, she could recite the most difficult poems.[2] She also had an aspiration to be a woman of virtue.[3]

When she was fifteen years old, she joined Emperor Xuanzong’s harem.[4] Emperor Xuanzong was immediately smitten by her beauty.[5] She swiftly became his favourite concubine and was promoted to Imperial Consort.[6] Imperial Consort Jiang had a love of plum blossoms and planted them at her residence.[7] Her residence became known as “The Plum Pavilion” [8]. In the winter, she would gaze at the plum blossoms long into the night.[9] Therefore, Emperor Xuanzong named her Imperial Consort Mei and often called her “Plum Fairy.” [10] Imperial Consort Mei danced as beautifully as a wild goose, and she could play the jade flute.[11] Everyone at court loved to watch her dance and would cheer with delight when her dance was finished.[12]

When Yang Guifei entered the imperial palace, Emperor Xuanzong began to lose interest in Imperial Consort Mei and gave all his attention to Imperial Consort Yang Guifei.[13] Yet, Imperial Consort Yang Guifei was jealous of Imperial Consort Mei because she was Emperor Xuanzong’s former favourite.[14] Imperial Consort Yang Guifei demanded that Emperor Xuanzong banish Imperial Consort Mei to the remote Eastern Palace of Shangyang.[15] Emperor Xuanzong still had some feelings for Imperial Consort Mei, but he nevertheless agreed to banish her.[16] He did try to see Imperial Consort Mei again, but when Imperial Consort Yang Guifei learned about the Emperor’s visit, she burst in upon the couple.[17] That meeting was the last time Consort Mei ever saw Emperor Xuanzong. He never visited her again.[18]

Imperial Consort Mei felt lonely at the Eastern Palace and was sad that she would never see the Emperor again.[19] She wrote the poem “East of the Tower”, in which she described her sorrow, loneliness, and depression at never seeing the Emperor again.[20] An excerpt of “East of the Tower” goes:

“The emperor was attached to me,

His love deep and unending.

He vowed it was as constant as the mountains and the sea.

And, like the sun and the moon, it would never end.

Alas, what could I do about a jealous and mediocre woman

Whose overpowering jealous energy robbed me of my love?

I was expelled to a remote palace,

I miss my past happiness but cannot have it again.”[21]

Imperial Consort Mei’s poem, “East of the Tower”, reached Emperor Xuanzong and Imperial Consort Yang Guifei. After Imperial Consort Yang Guifei heard the poem, she said, “Consort Jiang exaggerates her complaints. I wish Your Majesty would order her to kill herself.” [22] Yet, Emperor Xuanzong did not reply to Imperial Consort Yang Guifei’s comment.[23] Instead, Emperor Xuanzong was deeply touched by Imperial Consort Mei’s poem and felt guilty for neglecting her.[24] He secretly sent Imperial Consort Mei a bushel of pearls.[25] Imperial Consort Mei refused Emperor Xuanzong’s gift and returned them with the poem called “Thanks for the Gifts of Pearls”.[26] The poem goes:

“Long since I have stopped painting my willow-leaf brows,

Tears stained with stale makeup wet my red silk dress.

Banished to Changmen [Palace], unwashed, unkempt,

How could pearls comfort me in my loneliness?”[27]

After Emperor Xuanzong read the poem, he was deeply touched and saddened about his consort’s tragic circumstances.[28] He ordered the music bureau to compose the music to Imperial Consort Mei’s poem.[29] It was called “A Bushel of Pearls.” [30]

During An Lushan’s rebellion in 756 C.E., Emperor Xuanzong and his entourage fled the capital. Imperial Consort Mei was not among Emperor Xuanzong’s retinue.[31] It was said that she was killed during the rebellion.[32] When Emperor Xuanzong returned to the capital in 758 C.E., he ordered a search to find her body.[33] His officials searched everywhere but still could not find her.[34] Legend has it that while Emperor Xuanzong was asleep, Imperial Consort Mei appeared to him in a dream.[35] In the dream, she told him that she had been killed by rebel soldiers, but kind strangers have buried her body near a pond under a plum blossom tree.[36] Emperor Xuanzong awoke from his dream and told the officials where her body lay.[37] Once her body was recovered, Imperial Consort Mei was buried with the rights appropriate for a consort.[38] Regardless of whether the recovery of Imperial Consort Mei’s body was a legend or a historical fact, Emperor Xuanzong did not forget her. His official, Li Shi, presented Emperor Xuanzong with a portrait of Imperial Consort Mei.[39] Emperor Xuanzong wrote a poem on her portrait.[40]

Imperial Consort Mei was once the favourite of Emperor Xuanzong. However, her happiness was short-lived when the Emperor turned his eye on the infamous Imperial Consort Yang Guifei. She was banished and neglected by the Emperor. When she realized that she could no longer depend on Emperor Xuanzong’s love, she turned to her poetry. It is a pity that except for “East of The Tower” and “Thanks for The Pearls”, the rest of the ten poems that Imperial Consort Mei has written have been lost.[41] Yet through these two poems, the reader can see how talented a writer Imperial Consort Mei was. The reader can feel The Plum Blossom Consort’s loneliness, sorrow, and longing for the Emperor. It is no wonder that Imperial Consort Mei’s poems have moved the hearts of Chinese readers for centuries.

Sources:

Chi, P. (2015). “Jiang Chaipin”. Notable Women of China: Shang Dynasty to the Early Twentieth Century. (B. B. Peterson, Ed. B. Qiyu, trans.). London: Routledge. pp. 211-213.

Lee, L. X.H. (2014). “Jiang Caiping.” Biographical Dictionary of Chinese Women, Volume II: Tang Through Ming 618 – 1644. (L. X. H. Lee, Ed.; A. D. Stefanowska, Ed.; S. Wiles, Ed.). NY: Routledge. pp.  168-170.

[1] Lee, 2014

[2] Chi, 2015

[3] Chi, 2015

[4] Lee, 2014

[5] Lee, 2014

[6] Chi, 2015

[7] Chi, 2015

[8] Chi, 2015, p. 212

[9] Chi, 2015

[10] Chi, 2015, p. 212

[11] Chi, 2015

[12] Chi, 2015

[13] Chi, 2015

[14] Lee, 2014

[15] Lee, 2014

[16] Chi, 2015

[17] Lee, 2014

[18] Lee, 2014

[19] Chi, 2015

[20] Chi, 2015

[21] Lee, 2014, p. 169

[22] Lee, 2014, p. 169

[23] Lee, 2014

[24] Lee, 2014

[25] Lee, 2014

[26] Lee, 2014

[27] Lee, 2014, pp. 169-170

[28] Chi, 2015

[29] Lee, 2014

[30] Lee, 2014

[31] Lee, 2014

[32] Lee, 2014

[33] Lee, 2014

[34] Chi, 2015

[35] Lee, 2014

[36] Lee, 2014

[37] Lee, 2014

[38] Lee, 2014

[39] Chi, 2015

[40] Chi, 2015

[41] Chi, 2015

The post Imperial Consort Mei – The sorrowful poems from the consort who loved plum blossoms appeared first on History of Royal Women.

The Year of Empress Elisabeth – Sisi & Mathilde Ludovika

In April 1843, Princess Ludovika of Bavaria – wife of Maximilian Joseph, Duke in Bavaria – wrote to her niece Mathilde (Princess Mathilde Caroline of Bavaria, later Grand Duchess of Hesse and by Rhine) that she was pregnant for the 7th time. She was “a little more miserable than usual, but when God gives me a healthy child, these complaints will disappear!” 1 When the little girl was born on 30 September 1843 at Possenhofen, she was named Mathilde Ludovika, and Princess Mathilde was asked to be a godparent. She quickly gained the nickname of “Der Spatz” – the Sparrow – probably due to her delicate constitution. Her father was present at her birth, though this was rather an exception than a rule.

Her mother spent a lot of time without her husband – very much unlike the happy family life portrayed in the famous Sisi movies. The siblings became very close, and Mathilde Ludovika was especially close to Marie Sophie. The family’s time was divided between Munich and Possenhofen – where life was quite informal.

When her elder sister Elisabeth married their first cousin Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria, a painting was created with all the siblings, especially for her. It shows Mathilde Ludovika and her elder sister Marie Sophie with their favourite pets – a parrot and a dove. The family accompanied Elisabeth to Vienna.

When Elisabeth and Franz Joseph’s eldest daughter died in infancy in 1857, Mathilde Ludovika, Helene and Marie Sophie accompanied their mother to Vienna less than a week after little Sophie died. Elisabeth was cheered by the company of her family but took the loss hard. On 8 January 1859, Marie Sophie married the future King Francis II of the Two Sicilies by proxy in Munich. Just five days later, she said goodbye to her family, but both families may have already had a second match in mind. On 22 May 1859, Marie Sophie’s husband succeeded as King of the Two Sicilies. Marie Sophie was now Queen at the age of 17, but soon the Kingdom would fall, leaving them without a throne.

The loss of the Kingdom initially crushed plans to have Mathilde Ludovika married to King Francis’ half-brother Louis. However, the marriage of her elder sister had thus far remained without children – probably due to Francis’s phimosis – and an heir was needed. So Prince Louis travelled to Bavaria to meet his future in-laws, and Mathilde Ludovika’s mother was charmed. “He is a dear, simple, comfortable person, he is modest and yet not timid, cheerful, and then, in conversation, very serious and sensible.”2

On 6 June 1861, Mathilde Ludovika and Prince Louis, Count of Trani, were married at the Ducal Palace in Munich. Mathilde Ludovika and Louis joined their exiled family in Rome, but soon Prince Louis was more interested in other women. Marie Sophie and Mathilde Ludovika had each other at least. It was perhaps no surprise that the vivacious Marie Sophie – with her impotent husband – fell in love with Armand de Lavayss, a Belgian Captain of the Papa Guard. In August 1862, Marie Sophie left first for the baths of Soden and then to Taxis, where her sister Helene lived. Newspapers reported that she was ill, but she was, in fact, expecting a child. On 24 December 1862, Marie Sophie gave birth to a daughter who was named Maria Cristina Pia. Not much is known about the girl, except that she was removed from her mother and either given to her father or adopted. She died at the age of 19 from consumption. Marie Sophie was devastated to be separated from her child, and she became very depressed. Her mother later commented, “I would have wished them husbands who had more character and knew how to give them guidance, of which both are still in great need; but good as the two brothers are, they are no support to their wives.” Duke Max shrugged it all off, saying, “Well, all right, such things happen. What’s the point of cackling?” 3

During the early days of Marie Sophie’s pregnancy, she, Mathilde Ludovika and Elisabeth all gathered in Possenhofen. During their conversations, they forgot the world around them. One of Elisabeth’s ladies-in-waiting complained that “Her Majesty grows more and more estranged from her Austrian surroundings.” 4 Possenhofen could not handle the number of people in the Empress’ retinue, and Duke Maximilian eventually flew into one of his rages that ended with all three sisters leaving.

Mathilde Ludovika followed her sister’s example and fell pregnant by the Duke of Ripalda. In early 1864, she gave birth to a daughter named Marie, who was adopted by her paternal family. Mathilde Ludovika, too, managed to make things right with her husband, at least long enough to have his child as well. On 1 January 1867, she gave birth to a daughter named Maria Theresa. Empress Elisabeth was with her sister for her confinement. Mathilde Ludovika had a slow recovery, and Maria Theresa was to be their only child. The following year, both Marie Sophie and Mathilde Ludovika were present by the bedside of their sister Empress Elisabeth when she gave birth to Archduchess Marie Valerie. They both stood as godmothers for the newest addition to the family. Elisabeth spent a lot of the 1860s and 1870s in close contact with her sisters, and she often missed important events in her children’s lives. Therese Furstenberg wrote of “circumstances which one would rather not bring to light and which are aggravated to the point of being incredible by the stays in Bavaria and the massive intercourse with her sisters.” 5

Mathilde Ludovika was soon on the move – without her husband but with their daughter, Maria Theresa – travelling to Munich, Paris and Baden-Baden. Prince Louis was known to be an alcoholic and reportedly also had an illegitimate child. Maria Theresa was known to be very anaemic, and her diet reportedly included chewing half-raw steak and spitting out the remains. This left her hands and pinafore soaked in blood, to the horror of onlookers.

In 1886, Prince Louis died – officially due to heart disease – but he reportedly committed suicide. The following year – still in mourning for her husband – Mathilde Ludovika and most of her siblings were together in Hungary to celebrate Empress Elisabeth’s 50th birthday. On 27 June 1889, Mathilde Ludovika’s only child Maria Theresa married Wilhelm, Prince of Hohenzollern and they had a daughter and two sons together. However, Maria Theresa’s health remained delicate, and she lived mainly in Bad Tölz and Cannes. She was in Cannes when she died at the age of 42 – most likely of multiple sclerosis.

Elisabeth and Mathilde Ludovika spent Christmas of 1897 together in Paris before travelling to Marseilles and San Remo. They stayed here for two months before travelling to Territet in Switzerland on 1 March, where they said their goodbyes. They would never see each other again.6

After Elisabeth’s assassination on 10 September 1898, Mathilde Ludovika travelled to Vienna to pray at her sister’s tomb. Marie Valerie wrote of a “painful reunion with aunt Spatz.” She also wrote that her aunt had convinced someone to open the coffin for her so she could see Elisabeth.7

In 1914, both Marie Sophie and Mathilde Ludovika moved back to Munich at the outbreak of the First World War to be close to their only other surviving sibling, Ludwig Wilhelm. Both sisters had spells of depression in old age, and they were most likely quite lonely as well. Ludwig Wilhelm died of a stroke in November 1920, and now the sisters were the last ones standing. Marie Sophie was the first one to go, and she died of pneumonia on 19 January 1925 – leaving her estate to Mathilde Ludovika. She would outlive her sister for just five months – dying on 18 June 1925.

The post The Year of Empress Elisabeth – Sisi & Mathilde Ludovika appeared first on History of Royal Women.

Royal titles – Queen Margrethe II of Denmark strips four of her grandchildren of their titles

The Danish Royal House has announced that as of 1 January 2023, the children of Queen Margrethe’s second son Prince Joachim will no longer be His/Her Highness Prince(ss). Instead, they will be known as Count and Countesses of Monpezat with His/Her Excellency as a style of address. This concerns Princes Nikolai, Felix and Henrik, and Princess Athena.

Queen Margrethe’s decision follows that of the Swedish royal family. In 2019, King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden announced that the children of Prince Carl Philip and Princess Madeleine would lose their HRH. However, they remained styled as Prince/Princess and Duke/Duchess of their respective provinces and retained their place in the line of succession. The children of Crown Princess Victoria retained their HRH.

The announcement from Denmark states that “Her Majesty The Queen wishes to create the framework for the four grandchildren to be able to shape their own lives to a much greater extent without being limited by the special considerations and duties that a formal affiliation with the Royal House of Denmark as an institution involves.” Prince Joachim’s four children will retain their place in the line of succession.1

The post Royal titles – Queen Margrethe II of Denmark strips four of her grandchildren of their titles appeared first on History of Royal Women.

Mitzi Kaspar – The true love of Rudolf, Crown Prince of Austria

Mitzi or Mizzi was born as Maria Kaspar on 28 September 1864 in Austria. We do not have any details on her parentage or the early years of her life, as it was only in adulthood that she came into the public eye. The first details that we have on her are that she was an actress and possibly a prostitute though this could have been just a rumour.

(public domain)

Mitzi is best remembered as the mistress of Rudolf, Crown Prince of Austria. Rudolf was a very important figure as he was the heir to the vast Austro-Hungarian Empire and was the son of Franz Joseph I of Austria and his wife, Elisabeth. As the third child and longed-for son and heir, Rudolf was raised and educated for his future role as Emperor from birth. His upbringing was extremely strict, and his education and frequent punishments were left in the hands of a high-ranking military officer. This sheer amount of pressure and rigorous drills pushed Rudolf to the edge of a breakdown. It was only when his mother, Empress Elisabeth, took over the boy’s education that he thrived under a court tutor. These early experiences and a strained relationship with his parents had done their damage. Rudolf struggled throughout his life with mental illness, addiction and also later from gonorrhoea which caused him great pain.

From the age of 15, Rudolf coped with his troubles by engaging in sexual relationships with countless women. Rudolf used his rank as Crown Prince to seduce women who often willingly entered into affairs as a sense of “patriotic duty.” For Rudolf, these women were conquests, not lovers. He wrote their names down in a diary and gave them gifts depending on their rank in society, and most of them he discarded soon after sleeping with them.

However, there are a few women that stand out; two of these are well-known, his wife Stéphanie and his well-known mistress Mary Vetsera. Though there is another woman who is overlooked, this is Mitzi Kaspar, the Austrian actress who is said to have been the one true love of the womanising prince. It is unclear when Rudolf and Mitzi first met, but it seems to be around the time that Rudolf and his wife Stéphanie were married, which was in 1881, as some sources say that Mitzi even accompanied Rudolf to Brussels when he went to meet his future bride. It was hoped that when Rudolf married at the age of 22, he would settle down and put an end to his many flings, but this wasn’t the case. The Crown Prince continued with many dalliances and also ended up in a long-term relationship with Mitzi Kaspar, which was unlike him. Stéphanie was often told not to leave the palace so that Rudolf could carry on as he liked when she was not around.

Crown Prince Rudolf (public domain)

In 1883, Stéphanie gave birth to the couple’s only child, and after this, they drifted further and further apart. In the following years, poor Stéphanie found out that she had become infertile and would never have a longed-for son. The infertility was caused by sexually transmitted diseases passed on by Rudolf, which caused her and, of course, him to suffer painful symptoms.

All of this time, Rudolf had been involved with Mitzi Kaspar and many other women, though while the other women were merely conquests jotted down in a register, Mitzi became much more than this. She accompanied the Crown Prince on military manoeuvres and trips to visit other heads of state, and it became a common sight to find her in his tents or rooms on these trips. The relationship between Rudolf and Mitzi was much more than a sexual one, and he is said to have called her the love of his life. We can see that he cared for her by the way that he showered her with gifts and even gave her a large sum of money to buy a house.

In 1888, Rudolf’s mental state deteriorated rapidly. He had always been known for his violent outbursts and depressive moods, but this was something else. The Crown Prince had been drinking heavily and relying on drugs to ease the pain of his venereal diseases, which worsened his mood. Rudolf became obsessed with death and kept talking about killing himself and even possibly shooting his wife, too, but it is clear nobody took him seriously.

One day, Rudolf approached Mitzi and asked her to take a trip with him where they could both end their lives in a suicide pact. A horrified Mitzi headed straight to Vienna’s chief of police and reported this. The police turned Mitzi away and said they would not approach the Emperor with news from a “woman of doubtful reputation.” Mitzi was ignored, and Rudolf continued to spiral into a deep depression.

Following this, on 30 January 1889, Rudolf and another mistress, Mary Vetsera, were found dead at the Mayerling hunting lodge. Mary had agreed to what Mitzi would not and had committed suicide with the Crown Prince. sera

It is not clear what Mitzi did for the remainder of her life, but she died in 1907 of syphilis, probably a result of her relationship with the Crown Prince. As Rudolf had been the only son of Emperor Franz Joseph, another heir was found to succeed him, and this was Archduke Franz Ferdinand. On 28 June 1914, the Archduke was assassinated, which in part led to the start of World War One. The Empire only lasted two years after this, crumbling in 1918. If Mitzi had been listened to and Rudolf had lived, it is possible that these events would have never taken place.1

The post Mitzi Kaspar – The true love of Rudolf, Crown Prince of Austria appeared first on History of Royal Women.

Review: The Princess (2022)

The 25th anniversary of Diana, Princess of Wales’s death has led to new or updated documentaries. The Princess (2022) is one such new documentary.

The documentary is quite literally off to a shaky start, without much of an intro. It remains unclear what The Princess tries to achieve. Where is the angle? Is there something new to tell? Instead, we go down the familiar route as The Princess attempts to build up the tension with some poorly chosen music.

The Princess does show us all sides of the complicated Diana. From the innocent and naive bride to the scorned wife and manipulator of the media. The much-talked-about Panorama interview also makes an appearance. Unfortunately, the video quality, as most archival footage is from the 90s and earlier, is quite poor.

In the end, I couldn’t find anything new here. Perhaps we’ve said all we need to say about Diana.

Read more about the documentary here.

The post Review: The Princess (2022) appeared first on History of Royal Women.

A new Monarch, a new House – The House of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg?

When Queen Victoria died in 1901 after a reign of 63 years, she was the last British monarch of the House of Hanover. The House of Hanover had come to power in Great Britain following the death of Anne, Queen of Great Britain, the last British monarch of the House of Stuart. However, as all her children had predeceased her, and fears of a Catholic succession were still real, the Act of Settlement 1701 had settled the succession of her closest protestant relative – Sophia of Hanover.

Tragically, Sophia predeceased Queen Anne by just a few weeks, and thus, upon Anne’s death, she was succeeded by Sophia’s eldest son, who became King George I as the first British monarch of the House of Hanover. After him followed: King George II, King George III, King George IV, King William IV and lastly, Queen Victoria. As children usually belong to the house of their father, Queen Victoria’s son King Edward VII was the first British monarch of the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.

King Edward VII was succeeded by his son King George V. It was King George V who changed history in 1917 when he, among anti-German sentiments, changed the name of his House to that of Windsor. He issued the following proclamation:

“WHEREAS We, having taken into consideration the Name and Title of Our Royal House and Family, have determined that henceforth Our House and Family shall be styled and known as the House and Family of Windsor…”1 Thus, Saxe-Coburg and Gotha became Windsor. King George V was succeeded by King Edward VIII, who was succeeded by King George VI. King George VI was succeeded by his daughter Queen Elizabeth II, who died recently on 8 September 2022.

She was succeeded by her son, who became King Charles III. King Charles III would have been the first British monarch of the House of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg. His father, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, was the grandson of King George I of Greece and part of the House of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg. Before Prince Philip’s engagement to then Princess Elizabeth was announced in 1947, he relinquished his Greek and Danish royal titles and became a naturalised British subject. He took on the surname Mountbatten from the maternal side of his family. (He was only created a British Prince in 1957.2

Shortly after King George VI died, there was apparently some dispute over the royal family name. A dinner party had been held, during which Louis Mountbatten, an uncle of Prince Philip, had reportedly toasted to the fact that the House of Mountbatten now reigned. (Never mind the fact that even if the royal house did change names, Queen Elizabeth II would still have been of the House of Windsor!) One of the guests reported the toast to Queen Mary, who was adamant that the House of Windsor had been created in perpetuity. The Prime Minister and the cabinet agreed that “the family name of Windsor should be retained.” Philip was reportedly more in favour of the name “Windsor and Edinburgh”, but this came to nothing.3

The following April, Queen Elizabeth II declared “in- Council Her Will and Pleasure that She and Her children shall be styled and known as the House and Family of Windsor, and that Her descendants, other than female descendants who marry, and their descendants, shall bear the name of Windsor.”4

In 1960, the surname Mountbatten-Windsor was adopted with the words “Now therefore I declare My Will and Pleasure that, while I and My children shall continue to be styled and known as the House and Family of Windsor, My descendants other than descendants enjoying the style, title or attribute of Royal Highness and the titular dignity of Prince or Princess and female descendants who marry and their descendants shall bear the name of Mountbatten-Windsor.”5

Thus, while precedent was on Prince Philip’s side, King Charles III is part of the House of Windsor.

The post A new Monarch, a new House – The House of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg? appeared first on History of Royal Women.

A first look at Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story

Netflix has released a first look at Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story. No release date has been set yet.

Take a look below:

The post A first look at Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story appeared first on History of Royal Women.

Review: The Serpent Queen (2022) – Episode 2

*contains affiliate links*

*spoilers*

The Serpent Queen is back as Catherine once again summons Rahima – having picked her as her maid. Her fellow servants now turn against her and try to sabotage her. Catherine believes that Rahima is not responsible for the prank and turns into another lesson.

We continue with Catherine’s past as she reveals that her family has fallen out of favour, and as she is still not pregnant – her marriage is seriously on the line. Catherine needs more than anything to get Henry into her bed. An awkward attempt at conversation follows, and she messes it up by insulting her brother-in-law. Things get even worse when Catherine learns that her uncle, the Pope, has died, leaving her dowry unpaid. In fear, she claims to be, possibly, with child. This earns her some points with her husband, who confides in her about his youth. He promises to visit her that night, but Henry’s mistress Diane intercepts him.

In tears, Catherine tells the King to find Henry a new wife, young and virginal – thwarting Diane’s plans of marrying Henry, who is considerably older than Henry. The King is impressed by her fake tears and tells her that he won’t let her go just yet. Later that day, Catherine sleeps with the stablehand in order to conceive, only to find Henry in her room to do his duty. Meanwhile, two Princesses are brought in as possible brides for Henry’s brother (and also possibly to replace her). Henry’s brother suddenly spirals out of control when he kills the stablehand’s wife during a picnic. The King then orders Henry to finish the job – killing the stablehand and his son, but Henry flees with Catherine not far behind him. He confesses to her that he hates his father and brother. Once more, Diane’s influence calls him back to their side. He ends up killing the stablehand before telling the son to run.

Catherine then finds an unexpected ally in the Sultan, who has overstayed his welcome since the wedding. Catherine convinces Henry to ally with the Sultan to win back the Italian provinces promised in her dowry, which also serves to help Henry return to his father’s favour. As arranged, Henry goes on campaign as Catherine waves him off. She has just gotten her period again.

As we return to the present, Catherine tells Rahima to teach her enemies a lesson – and ends up blowing up the kitchens.

Although with much less humour than the first episode, the second episode is another kicker. I could have done without the bloody picnic scene, which seemed rather unnecessary for the storyline. However, I love young Catherine’s cheekiness, and the breaking of the fourth wall seems to go well with this.

I am looking forward to the next episode.

The Serpent Queen is available now on STARZ and Amazon Prime. You can sign up here for Amazon Prime.

The post Review: The Serpent Queen (2022) – Episode 2 appeared first on History of Royal Women.