Introduction

A common misconception about the British royal family is that they are “German.” This belief largely stems from historical dynastic marriages and the foreign origins of some past monarchs. However, while there are German connections within the family’s genealogy, the idea that they are fundamentally German is misleading. The British royal family has always been shaped by the country it serves, and its heritage is far more complex than a single national label suggests.

In this post, we will explore the origins of this misconception, the historical ties between the British monarchy and Germany, and how the modern royal family is unmistakably British. We will also consider the royal family’s broader European ancestry, before concluding with a remarkable fact: King Charles III, like every British monarch before him, can trace his lineage all the way back to Alfred the Great.

The Origins of the Misconception

The claim that the royal family is “German” largely arises from historical royal marriages, particularly from the 18th century onwards. Before that, English and later British monarchs had various European influences, including Norman, French, and Scottish ancestry. However, the German connection became more pronounced with the arrival of the House of Hanover in 1714.

The House of Hanover and the German Connection

When Queen Anne died in 1714 without an heir, the British throne passed to her closest Protestant relative, George, Elector of Hanover. But how was he connected to the previous ruling dynasty?

George I was the great-grandson of James I/VI, the Scottish king who inherited the English throne in 1603 and united the crowns of England and Scotland. James’s daughter, Elizabeth Stuart, married Frederick V of the Palatinate, and their daughter Sophia of Hanover became the designated heir to the British throne under the 1701 Act of Settlement, which barred Catholics from inheriting. Although Sophia died shortly before Anne, her son George succeeded instead, becoming the first monarch of the House of Hanover.

Despite his legitimate claim, George I’s connection to Britain was somewhat distant. He was born and raised in what is now Germany, spoke little English, and never fully integrated into British culture. However, his successors, particularly George III, were far more British in upbringing and identity.

The Transition from the House of Hanover to Windsor

By the time Queen Victoria ascended the throne in 1837, Britain was still ruled by a dynasty with German roots, though Victoria herself was born and raised in England. Her marriage to Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha in 1840 further strengthened ties with Germany. Their children married into numerous European royal families, making Victoria the so-called “Grandmother of Europe.”

The House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha

Upon Victoria’s death in 1901, her son, Edward VII, became king, marking the beginning of the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. This name came from Prince Albert’s German lineage. However, Edward VII and his son, George V, were British-born and deeply committed to the country.

The Name Change in 1917

The most significant shift away from the monarchy’s German associations occurred during the First World War. Britain was at war with Germany, and anti-German sentiment was high. The royal family’s Germanic surname, Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, became a source of controversy, especially as German aircraft known as “Gotha bombers” were attacking Britain.

In response, King George V made a decisive move: in 1917, he officially changed the royal family’s name to the House of Windsor, inspired by Windsor Castle, a symbol of British heritage. This act not only distanced the monarchy from its German ties but also reinforced its British identity.

From that moment on, the House of Windsor has remained the reigning royal house of the United Kingdom.

The House of Windsor: A British Identity

Despite their historical German connections, British monarchs have always ruled as British sovereigns. The Windsor dynasty has repeatedly demonstrated loyalty to Britain, particularly during times of war.

The Royal Family in the World Wars

During the First World War, King George V’s decision to rebrand the royal house was not merely symbolic—it was a reflection of his deep-rooted British identity. Similarly, during the Second World War, King George VI and his family remained in Britain, enduring the Blitz alongside the public. Queen Elizabeth II (then Princess Elizabeth) even joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service, training as a mechanic, further cementing the family’s commitment to Britain.

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, though born into the Greek and Danish royal families, fought for Britain during the Second World War. His loyalty to the United Kingdom was unwavering, and he became a key figure in modernising the monarchy.

These examples highlight how, despite a multinational lineage, the British royal family has always prioritised its duty to the United Kingdom.

The Modern Royal Family: A Multinational Heritage

It is important to remember that all European royal families are interconnected. The British royal family does not solely have German ancestry; their heritage also includes strong links to Scotland, Denmark, and Greece.

For instance:

• Scottish ancestry: The royal lineage includes James VI of Scotland (who became James I of England), making modern British monarchs direct descendants of Scottish kings.
• Danish ancestry: Queen Alexandra, wife of Edward VII, was Danish, further diversifying the royal bloodline.
• Greek ancestry: Prince Philip’s heritage included Greek and Danish royalty, and his marriage to Queen Elizabeth II added another European influence to the family tree.

How Ancestry Expands Over Generations

One reason why many people today can claim distant royal ancestry is the mathematical reality of genealogy. Each of us has two parents, four grandparents, eight great-grandparents, and so on—the number of direct ancestors doubles with every generation. Going back just ten generations (roughly 300 years), a single person has over 1,000 direct ancestors.

For this reason, all living people—including the royal family—descend from a vast mix of different national and cultural backgrounds. Just as the Windsors have inherited lineages from various European royal houses, most people alive today have a far more diverse ancestry than they might expect.

An Unbroken Line to Alfred the Great

One of the most compelling facts about the British monarchy is its historical continuity. King Charles III, like every British monarch before him, can trace his ancestry back to Alfred the Great, the 9th-century King of Wessex.

Alfred is often considered the first true King of the English, having successfully defended his kingdom against Viking invasions and laid the foundations for a united England. Through centuries of royal succession, his bloodline has endured, passing through the medieval Plantagenets, the Tudors, the Stuarts, and ultimately to the modern Windsors.

This direct descent from Alfred the Great underscores the enduring British identity of the monarchy. Despite foreign marriages and shifting dynasties, the British royal family remains part of an unbroken lineage that stretches back over a thousand years.

Conclusion

While the British royal family has historical ties to Germany through dynastic marriages, they are undeniably British. The transition from the House of Hanover to Windsor, the monarchy’s steadfast loyalty to Britain in times of war, and their deep connections to British history all reinforce this fact.

Moreover, King Charles III’s descent from Alfred the Great highlights the monarchy’s ancient and uniquely British heritage. Although European royal families have always been interwoven, the identity of the House of Windsor is—and always has been—firmly rooted in Britain.

So, is the royal family German? No. They are, and always have been, British.