Your Personal Top Ten Favorite Royal List

[Mary R.]

Thanks for the compliment Eddieboy_uk! I'm very new to the forum so it's good to hear things like that!
As for Sophie, she is one of my absolute favorites. I don't know if you've read Born to Rule, but that's what sparked my interest (it includes great photos too). Sophie was an extraordinary woman who really did have some struggles. It was the Vicky in her that kept her going.

[Eddie_uk]

Yes MR!!! One of my favourite books!! I wish Vicky had lived longer to help Sophie through the tough times she sadly experienced.

[Mary R.]

Sophie definitely suffered without the comfort of her mother who she depended so much on during her first years in Greece. If only Vicky had lived long enough to help Sophie with her exiles and the tragedy of her son's death. The book is also one of my favorites! My interest in Victoria Eugenie and Sophie really took off after reading it. The way the book is written is almost suspenseful and just makes you want to keep reading!

[grandduchessella]

MaryR--You have many of my favorites on your list as well. 

Have you ever read Empress Frederick Writes to Sophie? It's a gathering of letters that Vicky wrote to Sophie from the time of her marriage until Vicky's death in 1901. While you don't hear Sophie's voice since it's only the letters to her, it gives a glimpse into some of what Sophie went through in her early years of marriage and how close mother & daughter were.

[basilforever]

Hi you guys! Thanks for the compliments about my list.Well I like Kaiser Wilhem II and Queen Frederika,is because I like their look.Not necessarily their personalities.The Kaiser was such a "show-boy" who loved to put on a fabulous show that certainly would make anyone pay him a great deal of attention.Alot like Ms.Paris Hilton of late.His Majesty adored decorating himself with all those medals and orders.I know it sounds terribly superficial,but I like a Monarch that looks like a Monarch.As for Queen Frederika,I also like her because she was so glamorous and eccentric.And I deeply adore her daughter, H.M.Queen Sofia.So I feel some affection for her.The Queen of Spain turned out really well.I think Queen Frederika had something to do with that.

I must say, the handsome, charismatic Kaiser was NOTHING like the filthy, disgusting and monuntally stupid Ms. Paris Hilton.

[Mary R.]

It's great to know that we share some of the same favorites. I haven't read that book! Thank you for the suggestion. Born to Rule is a great book, but I would love to learn a little more about the relationship between Sophie and Vicky.

[Victor]

My PERSONAL favourites:1-Queen Elizabeth 11.Queen of every country I've lived in.Still doing a sterling job after 55 years.Good on you old girl!2-Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.From scottish earls' daughter to[quote Hitler]the most powerful woman in Europe.Her iron fist in the velvet glove helped lead the RF and Britain through the abdication crisis,the depression and the war into a brave new world.3-Queen Mary.Truely Royal.4-Queen Alexandra.Her unique charm and beauty moved the profie of the RF to a better place.5-Queen Victoria.A brighter and more complex character than normally given credit.6-The Duke of Edinburgh,Prince Philip.Strong consort yet has carved out a relevant individual role for himself.7-George V1.Overcame physical and emotional difficulties & emerged as a caring King,father and leader.8- George V.Gruff sailor king.The right man to follow his father.Lead his country firmly through WW1.9-Edward V11.Strong understanding of the international and domestic political situation of his time.A dandy but elegant and dignified.10-Prince Albert.Good marriage ,good brain,helped guide his wife through her role.               


'

[grandduchessella]

Welcome Victor. 

Mary--the book can be hard to find at a good price nowadays. I've seen it going for over $100 now. If your library has it, or can get it through Interlibrary Loan, that may be the way to go until a decently price copy comes up. Theo Aronson's Grandmama of Europe also has some info on Sophie. I think both books were used as sources in Born to Rule.

[basilforever]

Thanks for the compliment Eddieboy_uk! I'm very new to the forum so it's good to hear things like that!
As for Sophie, she is one of my absolute favorites. I don't know if you've read Born to Rule, but that's what sparked my interest (it includes great photos too). Sophie was an extraordinary woman who really did have some struggles. It was the Vicky in her that kept her going.

I wonder what you like about Queen Charlotte, MR, for her to be one of your favourites? She seems a bit mean to me in what I have read of her.

8- George V.Gruff sailor king.The right man to follow his father.Lead his country firmly through WW1.

Well it is the way fate ended up making it, however Eddy was born the right man to follow his father. I really think Eddy could have done just as good a job leading his country firmly through WW1, he was a good man too!

[Victor]

basilforever I have to agree with you.Even though Ps. Eddie is not on my top10 list he does remain on of the great 'what ifs' of the RF.I know some members say it is pointless to speculate I find it useful sometimes.I belive Eddie would have developed into an excellent leader.His youthful indulgences would have passed.Doesn't the signature of one of the discussion forum members quote William Blake 'The road of excess leads to the Palace of Wisdom'.With his training and background,the example of his grandmother and father and with  May of Teck at his side he would have acheived great things.

[basilforever]

Yes absolutely!  By 1892, he had received a lot more training than George and G. coped fine when his turn came, as E. would have.

[Mary R.]

Queen Charlotte was devoted to her country helping to keep the monarchy afloat during some turbulent times. She was patient during her husband's illness and went through a time where she had bad relations with her son the prince of wales (like Queen Mary). I have also read that she was somewhat abrupt but I like her all the same. 

[dmitri]

Top Ten Living British Royals :

Undoubtedly topped by Queen Elizabeth II and then

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
Princess Anne, Princess Royal
The Earl of Wessex
Princess Alexandra of Kent
Prince Michael of Kent
The Duke of Gloucester
The Duchess of Gloucester
The Duchess of Kent
Prince William

20th century deceased British Royals : (in no particular order)

Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother
Queen Mary
Queen Alexandra
Edward VII
George V
George VI
Marina Duchess of Kent
Princess Marie-Louise
George Duke of Kent
Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon

Top 10 Living European Royals - reigning houses

King Carl XVI Gustav of Sweden
King Juan Carlos I of Spain
Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands
Queen Margrethe II of Denmark
King Harald V of Norway
King Albert II of Belgium
Queen Sonja of Norway
Queen Silvia of Sweden
Queen Sofia of Spain
Prince Henrik of Denmark

Top Ten European Royals - non-reigning

King Michael of Romania
Queen Anne of Romania
King Constantine of Greece
Queen Anne Marie of Greece
Prince Alexander II of Serbia
Princess Katherine of Serbia
Dr Otto von Habsburg
Princess Alexia of Greece
Prince Nicholas of Greece
Prince Michael of Greece

[dmitri]

Top 19th Century British Royals
Queen Victoria
Prince Albert
Princess Beatrice, Princess Henry of Battenberg
Princess Charlotte of Wales
Queen Adelaide
Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh
Prince Henry of Battenberg
Princess Alice
Princess Louise
Duchess of Albany

Top 19th Century European Royals :

German Kaiserin Friedrich
German Kaiser Friedrich III
King Ludwig II of Bavaria
Tsar Alexander III of Russia
Tsarina Maria Feodorovna of Russia, Princess Dagmar of Denmark
King Pedro V of Portugal
King Consort Ferdinand of Portugal
King Leopold I of Belgium
Emperor Franz Josef of Austria-Hungary
Empress Elisabeth of Austria-Hungary

[FaithWhiteRose]

Royals:

1. Diana of Wales- she was beautiful inside and out, an awesome huminatarian and caring for all of those around her
2. Queen Victoria- even though I wish India had had it's independence, Victoria showed everyone that women CAN do something, and she became Empress of India, the center of economy . . .
3. Olga Alexandrovna- she set up her own life after the revolution
4. Princess Charlotte of Wales- Her life ended too early---another monarch we never had
5. Tsarina Marie Feodorovna of Russia- she was a stunning woman and had immense style
6. Edward VII- Abdicating the throne for love should definitely get him on your fave royal list.
7. HM Queen Elizabeth II- admirable and influential
8. Alexandra Feodorvna, Tsarina of Russia nee Alix of Hesse- The woman is pitiable; she had a tragic childhood, and to come to a country where people exclude you . . . she was frightened because of Alexei's illness, and though very stubborn i don't blame her. The end was even more tragic for her, just another reason how hard it's being royal . . .
9. Xenia Alexandrovna Romanova, Grand Duchess of Russia- she stayed strong after her husband ditched her
10. Prince William & Harry- Both of them are smart men, and so good at making their mother's memory stay alive.