A Family of Kings: The descendants of Christian IX of Denmark (Theo Aronson Royal History)
£2.80
The beauty, grace and charm of Prince Christian’s daughter had prevailed over the Queen’s intense dislike of the Danish royal house. Even the embarrassingly difficult Bertie was persuaded to agree to the match.
Thus began the fairy-tale saga of a family that handed on its good looks, unaffectedness and democratic manners to almost every royal house of modern Europe. For, in the year that Alexandra became Princess of Wales, her brother Willie was elected King of the Hellenes; her father at last succeeded to the Danish throne; her sister Dagmar was soon to become wife of the future Tsar Alexander III of Russia; and her youngest sister Thyra later married the de jure King of Hanover.
A Family of Kings is the story of the crowned children and grandchildren of Christian IX and Queen Louise of Denmark, focusing on the half-century before the First World War. It is an intimate, domestic study of a close-knit family, their individual personalities, and the courts to which they came.
Theo Aronson is the author of over twenty works of royal historical biography, published in eleven languages. Among the widely read are Grandmama of Europe, The King in Love, Napoleon and Josephine and a biography of Princess Margaret. In the course of researching and writing these books he has interviewed major and minor members of Britain’s royal family and members of the royal households, as well as various officials, servants, friends and others whose lives are in some way connected with the monarchy.
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Additional information
| Publisher | Lume Books (23 Sept. 2020) |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| File size | 2837 KB |
| Text-to-Speech | Enabled |
| Screen Reader | Supported |
| Enhanced typesetting | Enabled |
| X-Ray | Not Enabled |
| Word Wise | Enabled |
| Sticky notes | On Kindle Scribe |
| Print length | 304 pages |
by GEOFFREY P WHITEHEAD
should be a good read
by Susan Schrader
This was a present and my Mum loved the book
by Amazon Customer
I found this an enjoyable book to read as it draws together a lot of lines in the history of Europe’s monarchies. Inevitably the greater part is devoted to Alexandra and Dagmar and the closeness of their relationship. It’s easy to read and whilst it is a history of a royal family, it covers the wider picture of Europe before World War One.
by Evangeline McNickle
This was a book that I learned so much from. I really enjoyed all the information.
by Sue
Never realised that there was a monarch like Queen Victoria. Both had so many descendants go on to be kings, emperors, queens and empresses. Worth a read
by Thomas
well put together recommend it thoroughly. Well researched and written like an adventure, I have read a number of Theos books and they don’t disappoint
by R Helen
Theo Aronson’s books are, of course, royal history and, therefore, the social and political background is often not given enough attention. I found this was particularly the case in this book when it came to the wars over Schleswig and Holstein, the discussion of the Greek situation, and many other historical issues. More was definitely needed to add depth to the book. But, if you are a fan of royal history than this book will not disappoint. King Christian’s “dynasty” rivals and perhaps surpasses that of the Coburgs. Its a fascinating and well written story. I enjoy reading all of Aronson’s books, as there is little out there in English on European royalty.
I did find it a bit exaggerated, however, Aronson’s implication that The Empress Marie and Queen Alexandra truly shaped the anti-Prussian sentiment of the British and Russian courts. I think that assumes them much more influence than they really had. He does redeem himself, however, towards the end when he admits “the mutual antipathy did not cause the rivalry…it merely happened to coincide with..” Still, its a fun book to read. I would recommend this one and all his others.
by dg
VERY HAPPY