At the end of the 1800s, the Danish King, Christian IX and his wife, Queen Louise, married their six children into the dominating European royal families and Christian IX became known as "Europe's Father-In-Law". Today, his descendants are to be found all over Europe.These are their stories, stories of power, love, triumph, tragedy and honour, recounted through interviews and never before published letters, photographs and home movie footage, by over 30 members of the European royal family.
Anecdotes handed down through generations give insight into a Europe ruled by 'dynasty politics' where arranged marriages created alliances between countries.
Episode 1 - The Father-In-Law of Europe
In the Europe of the 1800s, Denmark, England and Russia each has a childless king; all three need an heir to the throne. Speedily arranged marriages, births and cunning strategies, bring King Christian IX, Queen Victoria and Tsar Alexander II to the throne.
Episode 2 - The Family Expands
Christian IX's oldest sonn, Frederik VIII, marries the Swedish King's only child, Lovisa. She is not pretty but she is rich! The couple takes over the Danish throne and through their eight children, the lineage spreads to Norway, Belgium, Luxembourg and Sweden.
Episode 3 - The Heirs to Europe
In 1863, Christian IX's eldest daughter, Alexandra, marries the English heir to the throne, Edward VII who has a taste for the high life and the company of other women. Their posterity is found primarily in the English and Norwegian royal families. Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip are both descendants of Christian IX.
Episode 4 - Love and Revolution
Christian IX's second eldest daughter, Dagmar, is engaged to the Russian Crown prince Nikolai. Unfortunately, he dies soon after and Dagmar is "inherited" by his younger brother, Alexander III. Their son, Tsar Nikolai II, together with his family, are murdered in Jekaterinburg during the Russian Revolution.
Episode 5 - Shaky Thrones
Christian IX's 17 year-old son, Wilhelm, is proclaimed King of Greece and soon after anointed as George I. He marries the 16 year-old Grand Duchess Olga of Russia and their descendants end up sitting on the thrones of Greece, Romania, Yugoslavia and Spain.
Episode 6 - Uncrowned Marriages
Christian IX's youngest daughter, Thyra, marries the ex-Crown Prince from the German principality of Hanover and they take up residence in Austria. Among their descendants is Prince Ernst August of Hanover who marries Princess Caroline of Monaco. Christian IX's youngest son, Valdemar, marries the devil-may-care French princess, Marie of Orleans. He graciously declines both the Bulgarian and Norwegian thrones.
