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While the concept of an arranged marriage might seem strange to most of us today, royals of the past were often bound by duty to marry for political alliances. Nevertheless, not all of these unions were devoid of affection. Here are ten royal marriages that started as arrangements but blossomed into genuine love.
10. King Henry VII and Elizabeth of York
While King Henry VIII is a more familiar name to many, his predecessor, Henry VII, is often remembered for having a more successful love life, particularly in his marriage to Elizabeth of York.
In January 1486, King Henry VII wed Elizabeth of York, uniting the feuding houses of York and Lancaster, famously known for their role in the Wars of the Roses. Despite never having met her beforehand, Henry was initially wary about the marriage. Concerned that Elizabeth might try to claim the throne for herself, he made sure to be crowned king before the wedding took place.
Despite Henry VII’s initial concerns, his feelings completely shifted once he met Elizabeth of York. Known for her beauty, Elizabeth eventually captured Henry’s heart. Over the years, stories tell of the couple exchanging small gifts throughout their marriage, ultimately leading to a love-filled, happily-ever-after story.
9. Ivan the Terrible and Anastasia Romanova
Ivan IV, known as Ivan the Terrible, is often remembered for his reign of terror, but his relationship with Anastasia Romanova adds a surprisingly tender chapter to his story. As Russia's first official tsar, Ivan married Anastasia in 1547 to solidify his claim to the throne.
Much like many royal unions, their marriage began as a political alliance, aiming to unite the powerful Rurikid and Romanov families. However, despite the political motives, it appears that Ivan quickly developed genuine affection for his new wife.
According to various accounts, Anastasia had a calming influence on the ruthless tsar. Tragically, her early death left Ivan devastated. Convinced she had been poisoned, Ivan went into a vengeful rage, launching violent purges across his empire to rid himself of perceived traitors. If only Anastasia had lived longer, perhaps Ivan’s reign wouldn’t have been so notorious for its cruelty.
8. King George V and Queen Mary
Mary, the goddaughter of Queen Victoria, was fated to marry George, the son of the Prince of Wales, thanks to her close relationship with her godmother. It was this bond that eventually led to their engagement.
In 1891, Queen Victoria had initially considered Prince Albert, George's older brother, as a suitable match for Mary. Sadly, their engagement was cut short when Prince Albert tragically died of influenza just weeks before the wedding.
Undeterred, Queen Victoria shifted her focus to George, Albert's brother, who had developed a deep affection for Mary. With her blessing, the two were married just a year after Albert's passing.
Though Queen Victoria had arranged the marriage for its political significance and the strengthening of royal bloodlines, Mary and George's relationship flourished. Their marriage became a symbol of national devotion, with newspapers praising it as an example of true marital success. After the death of his father, Edward VII, in 1910, George ascended the throne as George V, ruling until 1936.
7. King Edward I and Eleanor of Castille
Edward I, son of King Henry III, is known for his military campaigns against the Scots and the Welsh. However, before he ever drew his sword in battle, his parents were already planning his marriage to secure the future of the English monarchy. In 1254, they chose Eleanor of Castille to solidify an alliance between England and Castille and prevent French invasion.
Although their marriage was initially a strategic alliance, it quickly became apparent that Edward and Eleanor shared a deep love for one another. The couple was inseparable until Eleanor's death in 1290. Together, they had eleven daughters and four sons, ensuring a strong legacy and a secure line of succession.
6. King Charles V and Isabella of Portugal
As the Holy Roman Emperor and the son of King Philip, Charles was one of the most influential figures in Europe during the 1500s. However, despite his power, he found himself in financial difficulty, lacking the resources needed for his political ambitions in Central Europe. To make matters worse, he faced mounting pressure from his Spanish subjects to marry someone from the Iberian Peninsula, preferably a woman raised in Spain.
Fortunately for King Charles, Isabella of Portugal turned out to be a perfect match. The daughter of Manuel I and Queen Maria of Castille, she came with a substantial dowry, which made the marriage even more appealing. Although Charles did not meet her until just hours before their wedding, he accepted the union with enthusiasm.
Despite the rushed nature of their marriage, Charles quickly fell deeply in love with Isabella. He was captivated by her beauty and serene nature. So smitten was he that he arranged for an extended honeymoon in Granada, during which the queen became pregnant. Their marriage lasted for a happy thirteen years until Isabella's death in 1539. Even after her passing, the king remained utterly devoted, spending long hours admiring her portrait, and years later, he died holding the crucifix she once owned.
5. King Edward III and Philippa of Hainault
King Edward I wasn’t the only Edward to experience a love-filled marriage. Several generations later, his namesake, King Edward III, also found happiness in his union.
Edward III wed Philippa, the daughter of Count Willem of Hainault, in 1327. The marriage, initially orchestrated by Edward's mother to form an alliance with Count Willem for an invasion of France, was set when both were just teenagers. Despite the political reasons behind the match, their union proved to be a successful and loving one.
Although their marriage was arranged and they were both very young, Edward and Philippa fell deeply in love. Their union lasted over forty years, during which they had twelve children. Historical records indicate that they spent most of their time together and maintained a strong correspondence when apart, with Edward lovingly referring to Philippa as his 'sweetheart.'
4. Napoleon and Marie-Louise
Napoleon Bonaparte, the French Emperor of the 19th century, sought to solidify his empire and secure a successor by marrying into European royalty. He chose Marie-Louise, the Archduchess of Austria, for this purpose.
Their wedding in 1810 marked the beginning of a new alliance between Austria and France, two nations that had been embroiled in conflict for nearly two decades.
Despite the arranged nature of their marriage, Napoleon and Marie-Louise developed a strong affection for each other. Marie-Louise even wrote to her father, saying, 'He loves me very much. I respond to his love sincerely.' While their marriage may not have had the passion of Napoleon’s first, it was still marked by a meaningful connection and mutual affection.
3. King Henry III and Eleanor of Provence
In 1236, King Henry III married Eleanor of Provence, a woman he had never met before their wedding day. The primary reason for this marriage was to form a bond between the Count of Provence in France and the English royal family, ensuring strong diplomatic ties with the influential French kingdom.
Although their union was politically motivated, it appears that Henry and Eleanor enjoyed a happy and successful marriage. Their relationship lasted for 36 years, and Henry trusted his wife enough to leave her as regent of England during his travels abroad.
Henry was known to be affectionate and caring toward Eleanor, spending much of his time in her company. Together, they had five children and were recognized not only as a loving couple but also as devoted parents.
2. Tsar Alexander III and Tsarina Maria Feodorovna
Tsar Nicolas II and Queen Alexandra are often hailed as one of Russia’s most romantic couples. However, Tsar Alexander III and Tsarina Maria Feodorovna also shared a remarkable and affectionate bond.
Maria Feodorovna was originally Princess Dagmar of Denmark. In addition to being a Danish princess, she was also the sister of Greece’s queen and the sister-in-law of the Prince of Wales, which gave her strong connections across European royalty.
Though Maria had numerous suitors, it was Tsarevich Nicholas Alexandrovich’s father who, already having established ties with Maria’s family, proposed that she marry his son. The two soon fell in love and eagerly agreed to the union.
Unfortunately, Nicholas fell gravely ill and passed away before they could marry. Determined to preserve the alliance, the Russian royal family suggested that Maria marry Nicholas’s brother, Alexander. Despite her grief, Maria consented to the political match.
In hindsight, Maria’s decision proved fortunate, as she eventually developed a deep love for her new husband. The couple appeared to enjoy a long and blissful marriage, with the tsarina frequently writing heartfelt letters to her family, expressing the affection she felt for Alexander throughout their life together.
1. King George III and Queen Charlotte
Many are familiar with Queen Charlotte through her portrayal in the Netflix series Bridgerton, but the real-life Queen was indeed a devoted wife who truly loved her king.
In 1761, Queen Charlotte and King George III were married, a union largely arranged due to Charlotte's royal connections and her status as a Protestant. Despite meeting for the first time on their wedding day, they quickly fell in love, attending events together and even performing musical duets.
Even when the king's health deteriorated in 1789 due to mental illness, Queen Charlotte remained steadfastly loyal. Although they were forced to live apart for her safety, she ensured that her husband had the finest medical care available. Their marriage remained filled with love for the six decades they shared.
