What Is The Relationship Between The Russian And British Royal Families?

5.0 rating based on 42 ratings

The 2018 episode resurfaced the connection between modern royals, including Princes William and Harry, and Russia’s last imperial family. Prince Philip was connected to the Russian family through his maternal side, while Queen Victoria was Czarina Alexandra’s grandmother. Queen Elizabeth II is related to the Romanovs through her. When Prince Philip learns that his DNA may help identify the remains of his Russian ancestors, he begins researching the two royal family’s relationship and their roles in each other’s fates.

The British royal family has a long history with Russia, dating back to Queen Victoria. However, their familial links were damaged in 1918 by the murder of Czar Nicholas II and his family. In 1991, DNA analysis confirmed the royal identity of the slain family, and they were transferred and formally transferred.

The late Queen’s family was related to the Russian imperial family, the Romanovs, and their ties have been intertwined twice by blood: Nicholas’s Danish mother, Marie, was the sister of Edward’s wife, Queen Alexandra, while Czarina Alexandra’s mother was the favorite granddaughter of Queen Victoria, King Edward’s mother.

The late Prince Philip is related to the Romanovs through both his mother and his father, as well as through Queen Elizabeth’s great-grandmother, Queen Alexandra. The House of Romanov was the reigning imperial house of Russia from 1613 to 1917, and they achieved prominence after Anastasia Romanovna married Ivan.

In conclusion, the British royal family is more connected to the Romanovs than one might think, with both the parents of the new King of the United Kingdom being related to Russian tsars.

Useful Articles on the Topic
ArticleDescriptionSite
How the British Royals Are Related to the RomanovsThe late Prince Philip is related to the Romanovs through both his mother and his father. Philip is the grandnephew of Alexandra Romanov, …townandcountrymag.com
What Really Happened Between the British Royal Family …It is very much true that the Windsor and the Romanov families are related. Queen Elizabeth’s great-grandmother Queen Alexandra came from Danish royalty.vogue.com
What was the relationship between the Romanov family …King George V and the last Russian Tsar, Nicholas Romanov, were cousins. They shared grandparents, Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom and her …quora.com

📹 Britain’s Royal Family Links With Romanovs

The British royals have a series of familial links with Russia stretching as far back as Queen Victoria, but which were damaged in …


Why Were The Romanovs Hated
(Image Source: Pixabay.com)

Why Were The Romanovs Hated?

The Romanovs posed a significant threat to the Bolshevik Revolution, not only by their existence, which could unite Legitimists, but also due to Lenin's desire to eliminate the entire family line as retribution for his brother's death. Their downfall began with Nicholas II's coronation, where public disfavor grew amidst societal upheavals like the 1905 Revolution, the disastrous Russo-Japanese War, and World War I.

Following mass protests in February 1917, Nicholas was forced to abdicate. On July 17, 1918, Nicholas and his family were executed in Yekaterinburg, facing horrific violence as guards shot and stabbed them multiple times.

The execution reflected the Bolsheviks' intense hatred for the Romanovs, who symbolized an oppressive rule that had endured for three centuries. Despite initial offers of asylum from the British government, fears of unrest quashed these plans. The Romanovs' lineage was marred by connections to German nobility and their autocratic governance style, fostering resentment among Russians. Moreover, figures like Rasputin, perceived as having great influence over the family, further fueled animosity.

Ultimately, the Romanovs were vilified not only for their rule but also for their perceived complicity in societal afflictions, marking a tragic end to their reign as they became martyrs against a backdrop of revolution.

How Were The British And Russian Royal Families Related
(Image Source: Pixabay.com)

How Were The British And Russian Royal Families Related?

The Windsor and Romanov families share a notable connection, stemming from Queen Elizabeth's great-grandmother, Queen Alexandra, who was of Danish royal lineage. She married King Edward VII of the United Kingdom, while her sister Maria wed Czar Alexander of Russia. In 1917, during World War I, King George V chose to sever ties with his cousins, German Emperor Wilhelm II and Russian Emperor Nicholas II. However, family links remained significant, with members of both royal families related through a network of marriages.

Notably, Prince Philip, through his maternal heritage, is a grandnephew of Alexandra Romanov, wife of Nicholas II. This connection means Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles III are also related to the Romanovs, with Charles being the first descendant of the Romanovs on the British throne in over three centuries. George V and Nicholas II were first cousins, both being grandsons of Queen Victoria, which highlights the familial ties that were affected by the Russian Revolution and the tragic fate of the Romanov family in 1918.

Royal intermarriage, once a strategic necessity, has woven a complex web of relationships among European monarchies, illustrating the deep connections between the British royals and their Russian counterparts.

How Are The Romanovs And Windsors Related
(Image Source: Pixabay.com)

How Are The Romanovs And Windsors Related?

Yes, George V and Tsar Nicholas II were first cousins, as their mothers, Alexandra and Dagmar, were daughters of King Christian IX of Denmark. Alexandra married Edward VII in 1863 and Dagmar married Alexander III in 1866. This familial connection links the British and Romanov families, both integral parts of European royalty. Queen Elizabeth II is also related to the Romanovs; her grandfather George V was Nicholas II's cousin. The connection runs deeper, as Queen Elizabeth's husband, Prince Philip, is related through both parents, being the grandnephew of Alexandra Romanov.

The royal ties are further explored in the Netflix series The Crown, particularly in season five's episode "Ipatiev House," which illustrates the tragic story of the Romanovs. The British royal family traditionally adopted the House of Windsor name after 1917 to distance themselves from their German origins during World War I. The intertwining of royal bloodlines is notable, with Queen Alexandra being the sister of Nicholas’s mother and a granddaughter of Queen Victoria.

The Romanovs’ gruesome fate and the potential intervention of King George V are subjects of historical speculation, reflecting the complex relationships among these royal families. Both houses exemplified the strong ties among European monarchies.

Is Prince Philip Related To The Romanovs
(Image Source: Pixabay.com)

Is Prince Philip Related To The Romanovs?

The late Prince Philip is connected to the Romanov family through both his maternal and paternal lineage. He is the grandnephew of Alexandra Romanov, the last Tsarina of Russia, married to Nicholas II. Additionally, he is a cousin to the Russian royal family. Prince Philip's unique ancestry traces back to both his mother and father, with Tsarina Alexandra being his great-aunt on his mother’s side. Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, who were third cousins, shared Queen Victoria as their great-great-grandparent, reflecting the deep ties between their families.

His blood was pivotal in identifying the remains of the Romanovs slain during the Bolshevik revolution; a sample he provided in 1993 was crucial for genetic confirmation. Philip's paternal side also connects him to the Romanovs, with Nicholas I of Russia as a grandfather to his grandmother. His genetic link provided significant insights that assisted researchers in solving the Romanov murder case.

Although all living European royals have some relation to the Romanovs, Philip's DNA offered a closer match, making it instrumental in identifying the Royal family members' remains. This historical connection between Prince Philip and the Romanovs highlights the enduring legacy of royal ancestry across generations.

How Is Prince Philip Related To The Russian Royal Family
(Image Source: Pixabay.com)

How Is Prince Philip Related To The Russian Royal Family?

Prince Philip, the late Duke of Edinburgh, is intricately connected to the Romanov dynasty through both his maternal and paternal lineages. He serves as the grandnephew of Alexandra Romanov, the last Tsarina of Russia, and is directly related to the Russian royal family as a cousin. His maternal lineage traces back to Princess Alice of Battenberg, who is directly descended from Queen Victoria, thus linking the British and Russian royal families. Philip's family tree includes significant figures such as Tsar Nicholas I, through his paternal grandmother Olga Constantinovna, positioning him as a descendant of notable European royal houses.

Throughout his life, Prince Philip was influenced by the historical upheavals that shaped Europe during the 20th century. His familial ties to the Romanovs were confirmed when he provided DNA samples that assisted in identifying the remains of Tsar Nicholas II and his family, who were tragically executed in 1918. Overall, Prince Philip’s relations extend to nearly every major royal family in early 20th century Europe, culminating in a rich heritage that includes direct links to Catherine the Great and the Romanovs. Queen Elizabeth II, being related to Philip, also shares connections with the Russian dynasty.

Were Queen Elizabeth And Prince Philip Related
(Image Source: Pixabay.com)

Were Queen Elizabeth And Prince Philip Related?

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip were second cousins once removed as well as third cousins, both being great-great-grandchildren of Queen Victoria. Their familial connections stem from shared ancestry, notably through Christian IX of Denmark, a common lineage among European aristocrats. The couple's relationship began in childhood, and they rekindled their bond in 1939 when Elizabeth was the heir apparent. They married in 1947, enjoying a 74-year union until Philip's death in 2021.

Although they were distant relatives, both came from royal backgrounds; Philip was born a prince of Greece and Denmark. Their deep connection not only included shared family ties but also a lifetime of shared experiences, memories, and love. Elizabeth had reportedly been enamored by Philip since she was 13, and their relationship blossomed from initial acquaintanceship during family gatherings, specifically at a wedding in 1934, marking the start of their enduring royal romance.

Are The British Royals Related To Russia
(Image Source: Pixabay.com)

Are The British Royals Related To Russia?

The British royal family is closely related to the Romanovs of Russia, with connections tracing back to Queen Victoria. Queen Alexandra, Queen Elizabeth II’s great-grandmother, was linked to the Romanov dynasty through her marriage to King Edward VII, while her sister Maria married Czar Alexander of Russia. Additionally, Prince Philip's connections to the Romanovs come from both sides of his family; his maternal lineage includes Tsarina Alexandra, who was his great-aunt.

Notably, Tsar Nicholas II, the last emperor of Russia, was a first cousin of King George V, Elizabeth II's grandfather. Both royal families share a deep-rooted historical relationship, characterized by dynastic marriages and familial ties, which were notably severed by the tragic murder of the Romanov family in 1918.

Despite these familial links, the British monarchy's response during the Russian Revolution was complex, with arguments suggesting that King George V could have potentially intervened to save the Romanovs but did not. The connection of the British royals to the Russian lineage remains a significant aspect of European royal history and is even highlighted in contemporary media, such as the Netflix series "The Last Czars."

Is Queen Elizabeth Related To Czar Nicholas
(Image Source: Pixabay.com)

Is Queen Elizabeth Related To Czar Nicholas?

The sixth episode of the new season, "Ipatiev House," explores the connections between the late Queen's family and the Russian imperial family, the Romanovs, highlighting how these ties have shaped UK-Russia relations. Tsar Nicholas II was a cousin of King George V, the Queen's grandfather. Both Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip are linked to the Romanovs through Queen Victoria, who was the grandmother of Tsarina Alexandra. The Queen is directly related to the Romanovs via her grandfather; George V was Nicholas II's cousin.

Princess Olga Romanoff, a cousin of Queen Elizabeth II, is the daughter of Prince Andrei Alexandrovich, who fled Russia in 1919. Nicholas II’s mother, Marie, was a sister to Queen Alexandra, forming a familial connection through Danish royalty. Notably, Queen Elizabeth's husband, Prince Philip, is related to both Alexandra and Nicholas I, the last czarina's grandnephew. Their shared ancestry to the Danish royal family further intertwined their histories, reinforcing familial bonds that ultimately did not prevent a tragic fate for Nicholas II and his family, assassinated during the Bolshevik revolution, despite King George V's hesitations.

How Is Tzar Nicholas Related To Queen Victoria
(Image Source: Pixabay.com)

How Is Tzar Nicholas Related To Queen Victoria?

Czar Nicholas II of Russia was closely related to Queen Victoria of England through his wife, Alexandra Feodorovna, who was Victoria's granddaughter. Alexandra was the daughter of Alice, one of Victoria's children, who married Prince Louis of Hesse. Nicholas and George V of Britain, as well as Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany, were cousins due to their shared ancestry tied to Queen Victoria, who had a significant influence over European royal marriages.

Alexandra, often seen as Victoria's favorite granddaughter, married Nicholas shortly after he ascended to the throne. Despite the fall of the Romanov monarchy, the family's connections to various royal houses persisted, chiefly through Queen Victoria's practice of arranging royal unions. However, this connection also came with a dark legacy; Queen Victoria passed on the genetic disorder hemophilia, which afflicted Nicholas' only son, Alexei, leading to the influence of Rasputin in their lives. Queen Victoria’s intertwined family ties ultimately shaped the destinies of many royal families in Europe.

Are There Any Romanovs Alive Today
(Image Source: Pixabay.com)

Are There Any Romanovs Alive Today?

Yes, many Romanovs are alive today, although the direct line of Tsar Nicholas II was executed during the Russian Revolution, leaving no one with actual power in Russia. Prince Andrew Romanoff, a grand-nephew of Nicholas II, passed away on November 28, 2021. Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna is another notable descendant, along with hundreds of living relatives claiming a Romanov connection. For instance, Queen Elizabeth II's husband is a grand-nephew of the last tsarina, Alexandra Romanov.

While direct descendants of Nicholas II are not alive, there are distant relatives scattered worldwide. Despite the impossibility of restoring the dynasty, these individuals maintain their titles and heritage. The Romanov Family Association keeps the lineage alive, with members such as Prince Rostislav Romanov, who resides in Russia despite being born in Illinois, underscoring their continued presence.

The last members of the immediate family were executed in 1918, yet many descendants of other imperial family members continue to assert their lineage. Overall, the Romanov legacy endures through these living descendants, although there remains contention over royal succession.

Are Elizabeth II And Prince Philip Related
(Image Source: Pixabay.com)

Are Elizabeth II And Prince Philip Related?

Both Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip share a connection to the former Russian imperial family through their lineage from the royal house of Denmark. Despite fears of revolution, the Czar and his family were tragically murdered on July 17, 1918. Elizabeth and Philip were born into a world that did not foresee their eventual prominence as the most significant royal couple of modern history. Their relationship extended beyond marriage, having been married for over 70 years; they met as children in 1934 and reconnected in 1939 after Elizabeth became heir to the throne.

They announced their engagement on July 8, 1947, and married on November 20, 1947. Both Philip and Elizabeth are descendants of Queen Victoria, making them third cousins. Their shared ancestry, common among European aristocracy, includes being second cousins once removed through Christian IX of Denmark. Philip, born in 1921, was the Duke of Edinburgh and the husband of Elizabeth, who reigned until her death at age 96. Their enduring romance is a notable aspect of royal history, with Elizabeth reportedly never having loved anyone else since her first meeting with Philip.


📹 Did the British Royal Family Doom the Romanovs?

On the fateful night of 17th July 1918, the former Tsar Nicholas II, his wife Alexandra and their five children, Olga, Tatiana, Maria, …


Freya Gardon

Hi, I’m Freya Gardon, a Collaborative Family Lawyer with nearly a decade of experience at the Brisbane Family Law Centre. Over the years, I’ve embraced diverse roles—from lawyer and content writer to automation bot builder and legal product developer—all while maintaining a fresh and empathetic approach to family law. Currently in my final year of Psychology at the University of Wollongong, I’m excited to blend these skills to assist clients in innovative ways. I’m passionate about working with a team that thinks differently, and I bring that same creativity and sincerity to my blog about family law.

About me

Add comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Divorce Readiness Calculator

How emotionally prepared are you for a divorce?
Divorce is an emotional journey. Assess your readiness to face the challenges ahead.

Latest Publications

Pin It on Pinterest

We use cookies in order to give you the best possible experience on our website. By continuing to use this site, you agree to our use of cookies.
Accept
Privacy Policy