When they come to the throne, monarchs have to decide how they wish to be known. While many choose the name they've had since birth, others select something else for various reasons. In this quiz, Royal Expert Goddess Robyn H. wants to know if you know who is who. To submit your answers, use the comment option, e-mail princessesreign@gmail.com or direct message @princesspalace on Twitter.
1. By what name is Princess Alexandrina of Kent better known?
2. This Queen could have reigned as Queen Alexandra or as Queen Mary III, but chose "my own name, what else?"
3. Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie I was born under this name, which is lent to a popular movement in the Caribbean (as well as being slightly less fun to say).
4. After a Japanese emperor has died, he is posthumously given the name of the era in which he reigned. By what name does the West better know Emperor Showa, and what name will be eventually given to the current emperor?
5. The name John is considered cursed or unlucky by some (considering the disastrous reign of King John in the late 12th century), and it prompted this 14th century king to forgo his birth name and choose the name of his father and great-grandfather.
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25 June 2011
Prince Philip Answers
In honor of HRH The Prince Philip's 90th birthday, we asked our experts to tell us all about him.
1. Who were Prince Philip's parents?
He was the youngest child and only son of Prince Andrew of Greece, fourth son King George I of Greece, and Princess Alice of Battenberg, a granddaughter of Queen Victoria.
2. Why was he a Prince of Denmark?
Philip's grandfather was elected King of Greece by the Greek National Assembly, before that he was Prince William of Denmark. William was the second son of King Christian IX of Denmark. He and his descendants retained their royal Danish titles. Even today, the exiled Greek royals are still have Danish royal titles.
3. How many siblings did he have?
Philip had four older sisters Margarita, Theodora, Cecilia and Sophie. They were all married to German princes by the time Philip was 10. World War II was difficult for him and his family because his sisters were in Germany--and he had brothers-in-law serving Hitler--while he was fighting in the Navy of his mother's homeland, England. None of his surviving sisters (Cecilia, her husband, two sons and unborn child were killed in a plane crash in 1937) were invited to his wedding in 1947 and he maintained discreet relationships with them, their children and grandchildren.
4. What was his name when he became engaged to Princess Elizabeth?
At the time of his engagement, he was known as Lt. Philip Mountbatten, R.N. He had voluntarily surrendered all of his royal titles and adopted the surname of his mother's English brothers at the time of his naturalization as a British subject earlier in 1947.
5. How many British Prince Consorts have been consorts longer than he has?
Technically, Prince Philip does not hold the title Prince Consort, although some hoped he would receive it as a 90th birthday honor. However, he is the longest serving male consort in British history: Philip of Spain was consort of Mary I for three years, George of Denmark was consort of Queen Anne for seven years, and Albert of Saxe-Coburg was Victoria's consort for nearly 22 years. Philip has been Elizabeth II's princely consort for 59 years as of February 2011. The longest-serving female consort was his and Elizabeth's shared great-great-great-great grandmother Queen Charlotte, wife of King George III.
6. What titles did his father-in-law give him?
King George VI gave his soon-to-be son-in-law the British royal titles of Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth and Baron Greenwich on his wedding day. The day before the wedding, he made him a Knight of the Order of the Garter. (The last Duke of Edinburgh before him was Queen Victoria's second son, Prince Alfred.)
7. Who made him a Prince of the United Kingdom?
Even though he was a royal duke, he was not officially a prince again until his wife gave the title in 1957, nearly 10 years after their marriage and five years after her accession.
8. Which of his children will inherit his title when he dies?
The answer to this question is a very solid "it depends," and it depends on who's living and who's dead at the time. If The Queen is still alive, then Prince Charles, as the eldest son of a peer, will inherit Philip's title. When Charles eventually becomes king, the title will merge with the Crown and it can be recreated for someone else. If The Queen is alive and Charles is dead or he dies before becoming king, Prince William becomes Duke of Edinburgh. Then Harry, then Andrew, then Edward, then Edward's son James. If all of his male-line heirs are dead (a highly unlikely scenario), the title becomes extinct.
If Prince Philip outlives his wife, his title would merge with the crown immediately upon his death. In 1999, it was announced that The Queen intends for Prince Edward, their third son, to receive the title Duke of Edinburgh in the future. Whether he actually gets it or not depends on whether the new king, presumably his brother Charles, recreates it and gives it to him. Many people believe that this intended future inheritance is why Prince Edward was made an earl rather than a royal duke, as was traditional, upon his marriage.
9. What is his last name and what is its origin of his last name?
Philip's last name is Mountbatten. He chose this name for himself at the time of his naturalization. It was the name of his maternal uncles, the Marquess of Milford Haven and Earl Mountbatten of Burma, who helped raise him, helped him get into the British navy and championed him as a candidate for the hand of Princess Elizabeth. However, his uncles were not born with this name; they adopted it in 1917 when they renounced all of their German titles. They were descendants of a morganatic branch of the German ducal house of Hesse. Their branch of the family was known as Battenberg. When World War I caused massive anti-German feeling in Britain, their father First Sea Lord Prince Louis of Battenberg anglicized the name to Mountbatten and accepted the lower British title of Marquess of Milford Haven, which was later inherited by eldest son. His youngest son later was made an earl. Incidentally, despite having lived in England and served honorably and well in the British navy in 50 years, Prince Louis was forced to retire as First Sea Lord before the end of the war. The name change and demotion in rank did not affect his daughters, one of whom was Philip's mother, because they were already married.
The choice of his mother's "family" name likely reflects Philip's feeling of closeness to her family as well as his own desire to appear more British at the time of his marriage to the British heiress presumptive. It was also a simpler name to use as his father's royal house was Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glucksburg. Anglicizing that would have been far more complicated!
10. Where in the world is he worshipped as a god?
Among the islands of the South Pacific, there is a family of religions referred to as "cargo cults." Inspired by the arrival of ships full of white men and life-altering supplies, as well as luxury items, especially during and immediately after World War II, the local peoples came to believe that these items were being sent to them by their deities. One cultural group on the island of Tanna in Vanautu had a legend that one of their ancient spirits had traveled over the sea to marry a powerful lady. Stories about the husband of the Queen of England apparently convinced them that Prince Philip was that divine spirit. When he and The Queen visited Vanautu in 1974, they thought their god was returning. A reality show in 2007 brought several members of the group to Britain to experience British culture and to (hopefully) see their god again. Although the audience was not filmed for the program, the men did get to meet Prince Philip in person to give him gifts. He gave them a photograph of himself.
He was the youngest child and only son of Prince Andrew of Greece, fourth son King George I of Greece, and Princess Alice of Battenberg, a granddaughter of Queen Victoria.
2. Why was he a Prince of Denmark?
Philip's grandfather was elected King of Greece by the Greek National Assembly, before that he was Prince William of Denmark. William was the second son of King Christian IX of Denmark. He and his descendants retained their royal Danish titles. Even today, the exiled Greek royals are still have Danish royal titles.
3. How many siblings did he have?
Philip had four older sisters Margarita, Theodora, Cecilia and Sophie. They were all married to German princes by the time Philip was 10. World War II was difficult for him and his family because his sisters were in Germany--and he had brothers-in-law serving Hitler--while he was fighting in the Navy of his mother's homeland, England. None of his surviving sisters (Cecilia, her husband, two sons and unborn child were killed in a plane crash in 1937) were invited to his wedding in 1947 and he maintained discreet relationships with them, their children and grandchildren.
4. What was his name when he became engaged to Princess Elizabeth?
At the time of his engagement, he was known as Lt. Philip Mountbatten, R.N. He had voluntarily surrendered all of his royal titles and adopted the surname of his mother's English brothers at the time of his naturalization as a British subject earlier in 1947.
5. How many British Prince Consorts have been consorts longer than he has?
Technically, Prince Philip does not hold the title Prince Consort, although some hoped he would receive it as a 90th birthday honor. However, he is the longest serving male consort in British history: Philip of Spain was consort of Mary I for three years, George of Denmark was consort of Queen Anne for seven years, and Albert of Saxe-Coburg was Victoria's consort for nearly 22 years. Philip has been Elizabeth II's princely consort for 59 years as of February 2011. The longest-serving female consort was his and Elizabeth's shared great-great-great-great grandmother Queen Charlotte, wife of King George III.
6. What titles did his father-in-law give him?
King George VI gave his soon-to-be son-in-law the British royal titles of Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth and Baron Greenwich on his wedding day. The day before the wedding, he made him a Knight of the Order of the Garter. (The last Duke of Edinburgh before him was Queen Victoria's second son, Prince Alfred.)
7. Who made him a Prince of the United Kingdom?
Even though he was a royal duke, he was not officially a prince again until his wife gave the title in 1957, nearly 10 years after their marriage and five years after her accession.
8. Which of his children will inherit his title when he dies?
The answer to this question is a very solid "it depends," and it depends on who's living and who's dead at the time. If The Queen is still alive, then Prince Charles, as the eldest son of a peer, will inherit Philip's title. When Charles eventually becomes king, the title will merge with the Crown and it can be recreated for someone else. If The Queen is alive and Charles is dead or he dies before becoming king, Prince William becomes Duke of Edinburgh. Then Harry, then Andrew, then Edward, then Edward's son James. If all of his male-line heirs are dead (a highly unlikely scenario), the title becomes extinct.
If Prince Philip outlives his wife, his title would merge with the crown immediately upon his death. In 1999, it was announced that The Queen intends for Prince Edward, their third son, to receive the title Duke of Edinburgh in the future. Whether he actually gets it or not depends on whether the new king, presumably his brother Charles, recreates it and gives it to him. Many people believe that this intended future inheritance is why Prince Edward was made an earl rather than a royal duke, as was traditional, upon his marriage.
9. What is his last name and what is its origin of his last name?
Philip's last name is Mountbatten. He chose this name for himself at the time of his naturalization. It was the name of his maternal uncles, the Marquess of Milford Haven and Earl Mountbatten of Burma, who helped raise him, helped him get into the British navy and championed him as a candidate for the hand of Princess Elizabeth. However, his uncles were not born with this name; they adopted it in 1917 when they renounced all of their German titles. They were descendants of a morganatic branch of the German ducal house of Hesse. Their branch of the family was known as Battenberg. When World War I caused massive anti-German feeling in Britain, their father First Sea Lord Prince Louis of Battenberg anglicized the name to Mountbatten and accepted the lower British title of Marquess of Milford Haven, which was later inherited by eldest son. His youngest son later was made an earl. Incidentally, despite having lived in England and served honorably and well in the British navy in 50 years, Prince Louis was forced to retire as First Sea Lord before the end of the war. The name change and demotion in rank did not affect his daughters, one of whom was Philip's mother, because they were already married.
The choice of his mother's "family" name likely reflects Philip's feeling of closeness to her family as well as his own desire to appear more British at the time of his marriage to the British heiress presumptive. It was also a simpler name to use as his father's royal house was Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glucksburg. Anglicizing that would have been far more complicated!
10. Where in the world is he worshipped as a god?
Among the islands of the South Pacific, there is a family of religions referred to as "cargo cults." Inspired by the arrival of ships full of white men and life-altering supplies, as well as luxury items, especially during and immediately after World War II, the local peoples came to believe that these items were being sent to them by their deities. One cultural group on the island of Tanna in Vanautu had a legend that one of their ancient spirits had traveled over the sea to marry a powerful lady. Stories about the husband of the Queen of England apparently convinced them that Prince Philip was that divine spirit. When he and The Queen visited Vanautu in 1974, they thought their god was returning. A reality show in 2007 brought several members of the group to Britain to experience British culture and to (hopefully) see their god again. Although the audience was not filmed for the program, the men did get to meet Prince Philip in person to give him gifts. He gave them a photograph of himself.
11 June 2011
Royal Hobbies Answers
As the summer roars in, it seems appropriate to think about the royals in a more relaxed, off-duty mode. For this quiz, our experts were asked to identify the royal associated the following hobbies.
1. This royal declared he was no damn alien, but he was a recognized philatelist.
King George V was an avid stamp collector. He amassed a collection that is probably one of the most valuable in the world. It is now owned by his granddaughter Queen Elizabeth II. As for the alien statement, during World War I, when the royal family came under criticism for its German origins, he was accused of having "an alien and uninspiring court," to which he responded testily, "I may be uninspiring, but I'll be damned if I'm an alien."
2. Having earned the nickname "Farmer George" for his agrarian interests, this royal required his children maintain their own individual vegetable gardens.
King George III may be best remembered today for his illness and/or for 'losing' the American colonies, but one of the idiosyncracies that his contemporaries ridiculed was an interest in farming and farmers. Wherever he was, he would often walk about asking questions of rural people. He longed to pass this interest along to his 15 children and required each of them to cultivate their own fields. However, his kids were much more interested in having a rollicking good time.
3. This royal lady was not only a prolific letter writer, she also was a talented artist who created many sketches and paintings of her husband and nine children.
Queen Victoria, who wrote thousands upon thousands of letters and journals in her life, also was a talented artist. The people, animals and scenery around her were usually the subject of her drawings and paintings. She seems to have passed this talent to her descendants. For example, her great-great-great grandchildren Charles Prince of Wales and Lady Sarah Chatto have both exhibited their own artwork.
4. These royal sisters spent part of World War II creating musical theatre productions to entertain their parents.
While many English children were sent far, far away from the urban centers during the war, Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret were only sent as far as Windsor Castle. They really grew up there, taking their lessons and helping tend victory gardens (King George III would have been proud). Although their parents spent a lot of time in London, they were frequently at Windsor with their daughters. Each Christmas, the princesses--joined by royal relatives and staff members--would stage a pantomime to entertain their parents, estate personnel and guests. Distant cousin Prince Philip of Greece even attended the performance of "Old Mother Riding Boots" in 1944. Three years later, he married the show's co-star, the future Queen Elizabeth II. Here's a news article about the recently rediscovered program from that pantomime: http://bit.ly/ktEmyj
5. This staunchly dignified royal lady had one very naughty hobby of collecting; that is, collecting other people's stuff. Because of her notorious habit of acquiring things from other people's houses, this lady's mother-in-law sometimes hid her personal treasures during visits from her.
While it might not be quite appropriate to call Queen Mary a cleptomaniac, she developed a habit of admiring things in such a way that her host or hostess would feel compelled to make a gift of it to her. The only person in the realm who could avoid her acquiring ways was her mother-in-law Queen Alexandra. Of course, Mary's skills as a collector--she often actually purchased things too!--helped expand the royal art collection and contributed greatly to the royal jewel collection.
And, for those of you who could use an extra point to level up (or to guard against imperfect quiz answers in the future!), here is an incredibly easy bonus question.
BONUS: Known for his self-deprecating wit, this royal gent poked fun at much lampooned personal interests on his 40th birthday. "Only the other day, I was inquiring of an entire bed of old-fashioned roses, who were forced to listen to my demented ramblings on the meaning of the universe as I sat cross-legged in the lotus position on the gravel path in front of them. I was inquiring of them what they thought would happen on my birthday in a Birmingham tram shed. At this point, a row of prized Welsh leeks (cocky little things) who were lurking in a nearby vegetable patch chipped in to say that they expected the shed to be filled with groups of semi-naked Kalahari bushmen gyrating wildly;in the reenactment of primeval fertility dance and also a troupe or two of Tibetan Buddhist monks who had proceeded to the shed by levitational means."
Perhaps Charles Prince of Wales was a man before his time. He was outspoken on environmentalism, urban renewal, mysticism and organic farming long before these things became more popular.
1. This royal declared he was no damn alien, but he was a recognized philatelist.
2. Having earned the nickname "Farmer George" for his agrarian interests, this royal required his children maintain their own individual vegetable gardens.
King George III may be best remembered today for his illness and/or for 'losing' the American colonies, but one of the idiosyncracies that his contemporaries ridiculed was an interest in farming and farmers. Wherever he was, he would often walk about asking questions of rural people. He longed to pass this interest along to his 15 children and required each of them to cultivate their own fields. However, his kids were much more interested in having a rollicking good time.
3. This royal lady was not only a prolific letter writer, she also was a talented artist who created many sketches and paintings of her husband and nine children.
4. These royal sisters spent part of World War II creating musical theatre productions to entertain their parents.
While many English children were sent far, far away from the urban centers during the war, Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret were only sent as far as Windsor Castle. They really grew up there, taking their lessons and helping tend victory gardens (King George III would have been proud). Although their parents spent a lot of time in London, they were frequently at Windsor with their daughters. Each Christmas, the princesses--joined by royal relatives and staff members--would stage a pantomime to entertain their parents, estate personnel and guests. Distant cousin Prince Philip of Greece even attended the performance of "Old Mother Riding Boots" in 1944. Three years later, he married the show's co-star, the future Queen Elizabeth II. Here's a news article about the recently rediscovered program from that pantomime: http://bit.ly/ktEmyj
5. This staunchly dignified royal lady had one very naughty hobby of collecting; that is, collecting other people's stuff. Because of her notorious habit of acquiring things from other people's houses, this lady's mother-in-law sometimes hid her personal treasures during visits from her.
While it might not be quite appropriate to call Queen Mary a cleptomaniac, she developed a habit of admiring things in such a way that her host or hostess would feel compelled to make a gift of it to her. The only person in the realm who could avoid her acquiring ways was her mother-in-law Queen Alexandra. Of course, Mary's skills as a collector--she often actually purchased things too!--helped expand the royal art collection and contributed greatly to the royal jewel collection.
And, for those of you who could use an extra point to level up (or to guard against imperfect quiz answers in the future!), here is an incredibly easy bonus question.
Perhaps Charles Prince of Wales was a man before his time. He was outspoken on environmentalism, urban renewal, mysticism and organic farming long before these things became more popular.
09 June 2011
Prince Philip Quiz
In honor of HRH The Prince Philip's 90th birthday, here's a special quiz all about him. You may send your answers via the comments section, e-mail them to princessesreign@gmail.com or direct message (DM) them on Twitter to @palaceprincess. You'll receive half a point for each correct answer.
1. Who were Prince Philip's parents?
2. Why was he a Prince of Denmark?
3. How many siblings did he have?
4. What was his name when he became engaged to Princess Elizabeth?
5. How many British Prince Consorts have been consorts longer than he has?
6. What titles did his father-in-law give him?
7. Who made him a Prince of the United Kingdom?
8. Which of his children will inherit his title when he dies?
9. What is his last name and what is its origin of his last name?
10. Where in the world is he worshipped as a god?
2. Why was he a Prince of Denmark?
3. How many siblings did he have?
4. What was his name when he became engaged to Princess Elizabeth?
5. How many British Prince Consorts have been consorts longer than he has?
6. What titles did his father-in-law give him?
7. Who made him a Prince of the United Kingdom?
8. Which of his children will inherit his title when he dies?
9. What is his last name and what is its origin of his last name?
10. Where in the world is he worshipped as a god?
08 June 2011
Royal Hobbies
As the summer roars in, it seems appropriate to think about the royals in a more relaxed, off-duty mode. For this quiz, identify the royal associated the following hobbies. Submit your answers via comments or e-mail it to princessesreign@gmail.com.
1. This royal declared he was no damn alien, but he was a recognized philatelist.
2. Having earned the nickname "Farmer George" for his agrarian interests, this royal required his children maintain their own individual vegetable gardens.
3. This royal lady was not only a prolific letter writer, she also was a talented artist who created many sketches and paintings of her husband and nine children.
4. These royal sisters spent part of World War II creating musical theatre productions to entertain their parents.
5. This staunchly dignified royal lady had one very naughty hobby of collecting; that is, collecting other people's stuff. Because of her notorious habit of acquiring things from other people's houses, this lady's mother-in-law sometimes hid her personal treasures during visits from her.
And, for those of you who could use an extra point to level up (or to guard against imperfect quiz answers in the future!), here is an incredibly easy bonus question.
BONUS: Known for his self-deprecating wit, this royal gent poked fun at much lampooned personal interests on his 40th birthday. "Only the other day, I was inquiring of an entire bed of old-fashioned roses, who were forced to listen to my demented ramblings on the meaning of the universe as I sat cross-legged in the lotus position on the gravel path in front of them. I was inquiring of them what they thought would happen on my birthday in a Birmingham tram shed. At this point, a row of prized Welsh leeks (cocky little things) who were lurking in a nearby vegetable patch chipped in to say that they expected the shed to be filled with groups of semi-naked Kalahari bushmen gyrating wildly in the reenactment of a primeval fertility dance and also a troupe or two of Tibetan Buddhist monks who had proceeded to the shed by levitational means."
View answers
1. This royal declared he was no damn alien, but he was a recognized philatelist.
2. Having earned the nickname "Farmer George" for his agrarian interests, this royal required his children maintain their own individual vegetable gardens.
3. This royal lady was not only a prolific letter writer, she also was a talented artist who created many sketches and paintings of her husband and nine children.
4. These royal sisters spent part of World War II creating musical theatre productions to entertain their parents.
5. This staunchly dignified royal lady had one very naughty hobby of collecting; that is, collecting other people's stuff. Because of her notorious habit of acquiring things from other people's houses, this lady's mother-in-law sometimes hid her personal treasures during visits from her.
And, for those of you who could use an extra point to level up (or to guard against imperfect quiz answers in the future!), here is an incredibly easy bonus question.
BONUS: Known for his self-deprecating wit, this royal gent poked fun at much lampooned personal interests on his 40th birthday. "Only the other day, I was inquiring of an entire bed of old-fashioned roses, who were forced to listen to my demented ramblings on the meaning of the universe as I sat cross-legged in the lotus position on the gravel path in front of them. I was inquiring of them what they thought would happen on my birthday in a Birmingham tram shed. At this point, a row of prized Welsh leeks (cocky little things) who were lurking in a nearby vegetable patch chipped in to say that they expected the shed to be filled with groups of semi-naked Kalahari bushmen gyrating wildly in the reenactment of a primeval fertility dance and also a troupe or two of Tibetan Buddhist monks who had proceeded to the shed by levitational means."
View answers
05 June 2011
Golden Oldies Answers
Throughout the ages, royals have tended to live about the same life expectancy as others of their day, but on occasions, a really long-lived royal has demonstrated an excellent combination of good genes, good living and good luck. For this quiz, our experts were asked to name these golden royal oldies.
1. This Greek-born royal will join the nonagenarian club in June 2011.
Born June 10, 1921 as the youngest child and only son of Prince and Princess Andrew of Greece, Prince Philippos fled into exile with his family when he was still an infant. He spent a good part of his childhood in Paris, then in school in Germany, then joined the British navy. Until he married the heir to the British throne. He led a very peripatetic life bouncing between relatives and navy posts. He gave up his Greek titles and became simply Philip Mountbatten before being created HRH The Duke of Edinburgh by his father-in-law and Prince of the United Kingdom by his wife.
2. Both born as daughters of Scottish peers, these two ladies married royal brothers
The most famous of these ladies, Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon was the youngest daughter of the Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne. In 1923, she married the second son of King George V and became HRH The Duchess of York. In 1936, her husband ascended the throne and she became HM Queen Elizabeth, but she is most beloved as the Queen Mother, a title she held from the death of her husband in 1952 until her own death 50 years later at the age of 101.
The second Scottish lass was Lady Alice Montagu-Douglas-Scott, the middle child of the 7th Duke of Buccleuch. Having traveled around the world, she finally married at the age of 33 to the third son of George V and became HRH The Duchess of Gloucester. Both of her sons were born when she was in her forties; the eldest Prince William died in a flying accident in 1972. After the Duke's death in 1974, the Queen allowed her aunt to use the style HRH Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester although she had never been a princess in her own right. Princess Alice holds the record as the longest lived British royal: she died in 2004 just eight weeks before her 103 birthday.
3. This imperial heir became a pretender at age nine and a European parliamentarian at 67
Now simply known as Otto von Habsburg, Archduke Otto of Austria was the oldest son of the last Austrian emperor Karl. Born in 1912, Otto became the Crown Prince with his father's succession in 1916. Following his father's abdication in 1918 and early death in 1922, Otto assumed the role of pretender to the nonexistent throne, a claim he renounced in 1961 in order to launch a political career in Austria. He served as president of International Paneuropean Union for 31 years and was a member of the European Parliament for 20. He is 98 years old. (Update: Archduke Otto passed away on 4 July 2011 at his home in Germany.)
4. At age 30, this empress was a widow with eight children
If you know the story of #3 above, you probably know that this woman is Otto's mother, Zita of Bourbon-Parma, who was Empress of Austria for less than two years. Born in 1892, as one of 24 children of Robert Duke of Parma, she apparently inherited the family's fecundity giving her husband eight children in their 11-year marriage. In 1918, the imperial family was sent into exile after World War I. When her husband died of pneumonia in 1922, his reported last words to her were, "I love you so much," and she wore black in his memory until her own death in 1989 at the age of 96. Two of her sons are still living: Otto (above) and Felix who is 95. A third son, Carl Ludwig, died last year at age 90.
5. Born a Spanish aristocrat, she married a president and became an empress
Renowned for her beauty, Eugenie de Montijo caught the wandering eye of Napolean's nephew, Louis-Napolean who was elected president of the Second Republic of France. Before the end of his term, he staged a coup d'etat and seized dictatorial powers. One year later, he declared himself Emperor Napoleon III. One month later, he married Eugenie "for love", so he was technically no longer president. Ironically, just two generations removed from his family's lower class origins in Corsica, Napoleon believed he married beneath him despite Eugenie's centuries of noble descent. The Empire fell after less than two decades and family made their new home in England, where they were very close to Queen Victoria and her family. In fact, it is believed that Eugenie hoped to marry her only son to Victoria's youngest daughter, Beatrice, who later named her daughter Victoria Eugenie. The ex-Emperor died two years after arriving in England and their son died brutally while fighting the Zulus at age 21 a few years after that in 1879. Empress Eugenie remained in England but died in Spain during a visit to family in Spain in 1920. She was 94. Her name lives on today in a namesake, Princess Eugenie of York, whose mother, the former Sarah Ferguson has a strong interest in the Victorian royals.
1. This Greek-born royal will join the nonagenarian club in June 2011.
2. Both born as daughters of Scottish peers, these two ladies married royal brothers
3. This imperial heir became a pretender at age nine and a European parliamentarian at 67
4. At age 30, this empress was a widow with eight children
5. Born a Spanish aristocrat, she married a president and became an empress
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