![]() ![]() When it comes to strong genetic links to Queen Victoria, it's hard to outdo the Spanish king. George VI, in turn, inherited the title after his own older brother, Edward VIII abdicated to marry the American divorcee Wallis Simpson.Īs dedicated fans of the British royals may know, the Queen's late husband, Prince Philip, also traced his legacy back to Queen Victoria through her her third child-Princess Alice, who was Philip's great-great-grandmother-meaning that their son and heir to the throne, Prince Charles, carries a double legacy of the famed Queen. ![]() In George V's case, he became heir after his elder brother, Prince Albert Victor, died of pneumonia before his father became king. Interestingly, both Elizabeth's father, George VI, and grandfather, George V, came to the throne unexpectedly, being the second of their fathers's sons. In 2015, she surpassed Victoria as the longest reigning British monarch in history, and this year, becomes the country's first ever to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee. Directly descended from Edward VII, Queen Elizabeth is Victoria's great-great granddaughter. Simpson died more than a decade later and was buried next to her husband at Frogmore in Windsor.The most obvious of Queen Victoria's descendants is, naturally, the current queen of England. When it was clear he could not marry her without triggering a constitutional crisis, Edward VIII abdicated.Įdward VIII and Simpson married months later and held the titles of Duke and Duchess of Windsor.ĭuring World War II, the pair sustained significant criticism for their apparent sympathy towards appeasing Nazi Germany as it advanced across Europe. The proposed marriage went against the wishes of the government and against the teachings of the Church of England, which the monarch heads.Īt the time, social mores and religious teachings were against divorcees remarrying and it was thought the public would not accept Simpson as their queen. It was his wish to marry Wallis Simpson, an American socialite who had been divorced twice. ( AFP: Ann Ronan Picture Library)Įdward VIII acceded to the throne at age 41 after the death of his father King George V. 9 years: Edward VII (1901-1910)Ī black and white portrait of Edward VIII while he was Prince of Wales. She was the second-longest reigning British monarch. When he died in 1861, she wore black for the remainder of her life, and she withdrew from public duties for a time.ĭespite her strong influence and status as one of Britain's most recognisable rulers, her reign coincided with a dwindling in the monarch's powers. She was also known for her strong bond with her husband, Prince Albert, even though she outlived him by 40 years. Her reign oversaw an explosion of industry as the British Empire's reach grew through colonisation and the East India Company. Victoria was one of the most influential British monarchs in history. ![]() Her father died shortly after she was born, and none of her uncles had children who were eligible to take the throne, making her first in line. ![]() Victoria was the only child of Prince Edward, the fourth son of King George III. She came of age just a month before the death of her uncle, William IV. His only legitimate daughter, Princess Charlotte, died before him and had no children, so the crown passed to his brother William IV on his death. The saga culminated with Caroline - who was technically the queen - not being invited to his coronation, turning up anyway and being barred entry to Westminster Abbey.Ĭaroline remained popular with the public up until her death in 1821 after a short illness. He accused Caroline of adultery, with the allegations examined in detail in the House of Lords. He later officially married Princess Caroline of Brunswick but tried to divorce her when he became king. In 1784, he had secretly and illegally married Maria Fitzherbert, a Catholic. George IV became king at the age of 57, however he had been acting as prince regent for the previous nine years.ĭespite his experience in the role, the public never warmed to George IV due to his excessive spending and well-known philandering. A portrait of King George IV (1762-1830). ![]()
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