Father-in-law of Europe
![](../I/m/Christian_IX_of_Denmark_with_family_(Tuxen).jpg)
The Father-in-law of Europe is a sobriquet which has been used to refer to two European monarchs of the late 19th and early 20th century: Christian IX of Denmark and Nicholas I of Montenegro, both on account of their children's marriages to foreign princes and princesses. The fact that each was a monarch of moderate or modest power (and thus a marriage would not threaten the delicate balance of power) allowed them to marry some of their many children to heirs of greater fortunes across the continent.
Christian IX of Denmark
The children of King Christian IX (1818-1906) and Queen Louise (1817-1898) of Denmark included:
- King Frederick VIII of Denmark (1843-1912)
- Queen Alexandra of the United Kingdom (1844-1925) queen consort of King Edward VII (1841-1910)
- King George I of Greece, formerly Prince Wilhelm of Denmark (1845-1913)
- Empress Maria Feodorovna of Russia (1847-1928), formerly Princess Dagmar of Denmark; empress consort of Tsar Alexander III
- Thyra of Denmark (1853-1933), who married Ernest Augustus, Crown Prince of Hanover.
Christian IX used to gather his children, children-in-law and grand children for the so-called Fredensborg days at Fredensborg Palace north of Copenhagen in the summer time.[1] Christian and Louise's grandchildren included King George V of the United Kingdom, Tsar Nicholas II of Russia, King Constantine I of Greece and both King Haakon VII and his consort, Queen Maud of Norway.
Nicholas I of Montenegro
Nicholas I of Montenegro (1841–1921) was the father of:
- Elena of Montenegro, who married King Victor Emmanuel III of Italy
- Zorka of Montenegro, who married King Peter I of Serbia
- Anna of Montenegro, who married Prince Francis Joseph of Battenberg
- Two daughters who married brothers:
- Anastasia of Montenegro, who married Grand Duke Nicholas Nikolaevich of Russia after divorcing George, Duke of Leuchtenberg
- Milica of Montenegro, who married Grand Duke Peter Nikolaevich of Russia
See also
- Queen Victoria was known as the grandmother of Europe.
References
- ↑ "Christian 9. med familie, 1886". De Danske Kongers Kronologiske Samling. Retrieved 2011-06-23.