'The Windsors' should not hold the British throne - Here's why.

A world-famous surname

While we may be unclear on some details about today’s royal families, that’s not the case with the British royals. We see them on TV and in newspapers, and there’s little the public doesn’t know about them, including their house name: Windsor. But this "surname" isn’t exactly what history tells you it should be. Find out why!

It all starts with a marriage

To understand why the UK is now ruled by the Windsors, we need to go back to the time of Queen Victoria. She belonged to the House of Hanover and married Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. This means their descendants should have belonged to the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. So, why didn’t that happen?

Here’s the problem

The House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha is a German dynasty, specifically a cadet branch of the House of Wettin from Saxony and Thuringia. This German origin is what triggered the problem.

Awkward relatives

With the outbreak of World War I, anti-German sentiment was widespread in the UK. Having a royal family of German origin was more than uncomfortable, especially considering their kinship with the Kaiser. Added to this was the forced abdication of Tsar Nicholas II, which made all the crowned heads of Europe tremble.

Evoking bad memories

Having "Gotha" in their surname was also not the best calling card, as The Guardian reports. The air raids on London were carried out by German-made bombers... also named Gotha.

An unavoidable choice?

Cutting ties with German nobility seemed almost unavoidable. So, in 1917, King George V asked his secretary, Lord Stamfordham, for a new name that was as British as possible. According to the Daily Mail, options included Plantagenet, Stuart, and Tudor, but ultimately, Windsor was chosen, after the famous castle in Berkshire.

As old as England

Built by William the Conqueror in the 11th century, Windsor Castle is the longest-occupied royal palace in Europe. George V was thrilled with it, and thus, the House of Windsor was born.

The Kaiser’s quip

Comments on the British royals' choice were quick to follow. One of the directly affected, Kaiser Wilhelm II, sarcastically remarked that he would go to the theater to watch a performance of ‘The Merry Wives of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.’

Five monarchs and counting

Five British monarchs have been part of the House of Windsor: the first three were George V and his sons, Edward VIII, who abdicated to marry Wallis Simpson, and George VI, father of Elizabeth II.

Windsor forever?

Elizabeth II succeeded her father, George VI, becoming the longest-reigning British monarch. Today, her son Charles III sits on the throne. If all goes as expected, he will be succeeded by William, and then his son George. It seems the saga of the "new" house, the Windsors, will continue to intertwine with the UK’s history for a long time. And it won’t be with a German name.