Born to Rule, Five Reigning Consorts, Granddaughter so Queen Victoria.

Five cousins with five fascinating lives.   Julia P. Gelardi had her book published in 2005.   After watching the television series about Edward VII,  I decided to get a few books to read to find out more about not just Edward but also his wife, Alexandra.   Princess Alexandra was a Danish Princess, what she brought to the throne of England, was a start of philanthropy, and elbow grease which is still in effect in the Royal Family today.  England was lucky to have Alexandra as their Princess of Wales.  She was to take a serious interest in nursing and patron of the London Hospitals.   She was not educated as formally as her husband but was intelligent as well as beautiful.

Queen Alexandra and through her life as Princess of Wales with her husband gave the British Monarchy a heart while Queen Victoria was the soul of the Empire.

It is with this in mind the story of the five consorts starts, Maud, Edward's daughter who by accident became Queen of Norway by marrying her Danish cousin, Princes Christian.  A young woman who had no interest in Monarchy and only wanted a quiet life.  Fortunately, Norway provided just that life.

Sophie who was the daughter of Vicky, Queen Victoria's eldest daughter who married the Prussian Prince Fredrich later to be Emperor of Germany his life cut short by cancer.   Sophie was also the Kaiser Wilhelmn's sister,  although they were never close.   Sophie was to marry again into a branch of the Greek King's, the family of Alexandra's brother, George.  She married his son, Constantino.   Sophie eventually to be consort of Greece who worked to help the Greek people.  The crown of Greece was never ease.   The Greek politician's wanted land from the Turk's and ended up in wars they could not fight to blame the King who had not wanted to fight.

Next was Aldexandra another German born Princess, possible daughter of Queen Victoria's daughter Alice.   Alexandra met  Nicholas the son of the Tzar and fell in love.   Sadly his Father Alexander III became ill and died when Nicholas was only 21.  His Mother the Danish Princess, Dagmar.