A Visual (Partial) Genealogy of the Three Royal Cousins, Ruling Monarchs During World War I

I have very much been enjoying the book "King, Kaiser, Tsar" by Catrine Clay. The book describes the three royal cousins who ruled during World War I: King George V of England, Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany and Czar Nicholas II of Russia. The book does more than describe political situations but gives many details about the upbringing, education, courtship and lifestyle of all three monarchs, taking many excerpts from personal letters and diaries.

As the royal relationships between the three are somewhat complicated, I thought it would help me to visualize it, so I collected some historical photographs.

All three cousins are descended from Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Queen Victoria reigned in England from 1837 to 1901.

Queen Victoria and Prince Albert

Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and children

Unfortunately, I do not know precisely who is who among the royal children in the above photo. I do know that Princess Vicky was the oldest daughter, Princess Alice was the second daughter and Bertie (who became King Edward VII) was the oldest son, so that may give us some idea while trying to interpret this photo.

King Edward VII and Queen Consort Alexandra

King Edward VII reigned in England from 1901 to 1910.

King Edward VII's wife Alexandra was a sister to Russian Empress Maria Federovna, who became the mother to Czar Nicholas II. The two sisters were Danish princesses, children to King Christian IX of Denmark and Princess Louise of Hesse-Kassel.

Queen Consort Alexandra of England and Empress Maria Federovna of Russia, sisters

King George V, son of King Edward VII and Queen Consort Alexandra

King George V reigned in England from 1910 to 1936.

Princess Vicky, daughter to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, married Kaiser Frederick III, Kaiser of Germany, King of Prussia. She became Empress of Germany and Queen of Prussia. Kaiser Frederick III reigned in Germany from March 9 to June 15, 1888.


Kaiser Frederick III of Germany and Princess Victoria

Kaiser Wilhem II, son to Kaiser Frederick III and Princess Victoria

Kaiser Wilhelm II reigned in Germany from 1888 to 1918.

Princess Alice, daughter of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, married Grand Duke Louis IV of Germany and became the Grand Duchess of Hesse.

Princess Alice (Grand Duchess of Hesse)and Grand Duke Louis IV of Hesse, of Germany

Empress Alexandra Federovna of Russia, daughter of Princess Alice (Grand Duchess of Hesse)and Grand Duke Louis IV of Hesse, granddaughter of Queen Victoria and wife of Czar Nicholas II

Just a reminder -- Czar Nicholas II was also related to King George V by their mothers who were sisters, Empress Maria Federovna of Russia and Queen Consort Alexandra of England, Danish princesses. Czar Nicholas II reigned from 1894 to 1917.

Czar Nicholas II of Russia and Empress Alexandra Federovna

Photo of King Edward VII of England and Czar Nicholas II of Russia with families

The photo above was taken during Cowes Week on the Isle of Wight in 1909. From left to right: David (future Duke of Windsor, his mother Princess of Wales Mary (later Queen), Grandmother Queen Alexandra, her granddaughter Princess Mary, Czar Nicholas II,Princess Victoria(daughter Alexandra, King Edward VII, Grandduchess Olga of Russia, her Mother the Empress of Russia Alexandra, her daughter Grandduchess Tatiana,Prince George of Wales (later King George V) next to him Grandduchess Maria and in the front, Grandduchess Anastasia and Czarevitch Alexis.

The children of Czar Nicholas II: Maria, Tatiana, Anastasia, Olga, Alexei

King George V and Czar Nicholas II

In the above photo, first cousins Tsar Nicholas II and King George V exchange uniforms since they looked so much alike.

So, hopefully, this collection of photographs and captions helps to visualize the succession of royalty and their various relationships. In review, all three cousins were related to Queen Victoria (one through marriage). King George V, son to King Edward VII and Queen Consort Alexandra, and Kaiser Wilhelm II, son of Kaiser Frederick III and Princess (Empress and Queen of Prussia)Victoria, were grandsons to Queen Victoria. The wife of Czar Nicholas II, Alexandra Federovna, was a daughter of Princess Alice and granddaughter of Queen Victoria. Czar Nicholas II was also a first cousin to King George V through their mothers who were sisters and Danish princesses.