Royal Cousins at War

The power struggles and rivalries that broke out between the royal houses of Europe had a shattering effect on the continent’s history, and still has repercussions today. The first cracks began to appear before World War I, when two Danish sisters married the heirs to the British and Russian thrones. This set in motion a series of events that led to violent bloodshed and national tragedy.

Three cousins dominated Europe’s royal houses in the years leading up to World War I. But any friendship or family loyalty that existed between these men was soon destroyed by the forces of history. As one cousin betrayed another, leading to the slaughter of his entire family, the third’s increasingly erratic behavior resulted in a war that would leave millions dead.