This is another post inspired by a library book I picked up out of curiosity. The book is The Pocket Guide to Royal Scandals by Andy K Hughes.
Thirteen Royal Scandals
1. William the Conqueror – 1066 – 1087 – he was born illegitimate, but this didn’t slow him down. He asked Count Baldwin V of Flanders for his daughter’s hand in marriage. Matilda, the daughter, wasn’t impressed and informed everyone she’d rather become a nun than marry him. William was so furious he attacked Matilda, beating her and ripping off her clothes. Despite this, she did end up marrying him. The marriage was condemned by the church, which caused a great scandal in the day.
2. Henry VIII – 1509 – 1547 – He’s well known for his six wives, his role in breaking with Rome and the church and the destruction of monasteries in England. He was a larger than life figure who really shook up traditions.
3. Queen Elizabeth I – 1558 – 1603 – she never married or bore an heir and this resulted in the end of the Tudor line. She had a close relationship with Lord Robert Dudley, and no one is certain whether they did the deed or were merely close friends.
4. George I – 1714 – 1727 – He came from Hanover after the previous ruler died childless. He arrived with two mistresses, one very short and fat and the other tall and thin. They were nicknamed the maypole and the elephant. His English was almost nil and senior ministers ran the country more than he did.
5. George II – 1727 – 1760 – He had a private agreement with his wife, and she picked out all his mistresses. She made sure they were uglier than her.
6. Caroline of Brunswick and George IV – George had his marriage to Maria Fitzherbert annulled in order to marry Caroline of Brunswick. She wasn’t attractive and didn’t bathe often. They lived apart and she held rowdy parties. There were rumors of an illegitimate son, but public opinion was with her rather than George IV. A Royal Commission cleared Caroline of adultery but they did censure her behavior. George tried to get rid of Caroline, to prevent her from become Queen. They aired her dirty laundry but kept George’s from the hearing.
7. Queen Victoria 1837 – 1901 – After Prince Albert’s death, she had a close relationship with personal servant John Brown. It’s not known if the relationship was a sexual one, but there was a lot of speculation. She had a second friendship with a younger man after Brown’s death. Her advisors warned her against having a relationship with Munshi Hafir Abdul Karim because he was a dark-skinned man.
8. Edward VII – 1901 – 1910 – He was known to hang out with prostitutes in both England and during his travels. His wife Princess Alexandra maintained a dignified silence.
9. King Edward VIII – he had a relationship with Wallis Simpson, an American divorcee and finally married her after abdicating.
10. Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh – he’s known for his tactless remarks over the years.
11. Sarah, Duchess of York – She was married to Prince Andrew. After her separation from Prince Andrew she was filmed topless and having her toes sucked by financial advisor, John Bryan.
12. Princess Margaret – she divorced Lord Snowdon. It was the first royal divorce for more than four hundred years. Margaret had an affair with Roddy Llewellyn, a younger man. The scandal consumed the nation and she was publically blamed for the breakdown of her marriage.
13. King Farouk, Egypt – 1936 – 1952 – He spent money hand over fist. He abused his power and was promiscuous. He was a playboy and was overthrown and sent into exile after a military coup. He was supposedly a kleptomaniac and enjoyed stealing.
Note – the dates refer to the royal’s reign.
Personally I find royalty fascinating, although I wouldn’t like to be one. In these modern times they have no privacy, while hundreds of years ago all the intrigue could help you lose your head!!
What do you think about royalty? Do you think you could handle royal duties for a week or two?
April 12th, 2012 at 2:15 am · Link
I think the royals are interesting too. Thank you for the fascinating post.
April 12th, 2012 at 10:51 pm · Link
Thanks for stopping by, Janice.
April 12th, 2012 at 4:52 am · Link
LOL. It’s dictator for life or nothing. :)
You couldn’t pay me to become royalty, even for a week.
April 12th, 2012 at 10:52 pm · Link
I don’t think you could pay me enough either!
April 12th, 2012 at 5:30 am · Link
Wow they do like their drama and scandal. I was never fascinated with them but am interested to see how Kate and William take on everything.
April 12th, 2012 at 10:54 pm · Link
It will be interesting to watch William and Kate, although I do feel sorry or them. They don’t have much privacy.
April 12th, 2012 at 6:55 am · Link
And George II was touted as such a family man, too. tsk.
April 12th, 2012 at 10:56 pm · Link
LOL – I wonder how his wife got him to agree.
April 12th, 2012 at 7:02 am · Link
That’s hilarious that it’s a pocket book of scandal. I didn’t know that about Sarah Duchess of York. I knew she was scandalous, but, er…toes? Wow.
April 12th, 2012 at 10:57 pm · Link
It was a big deal in the tabloids when it happened. She filled the front page for weeks.
April 12th, 2012 at 7:02 am · Link
Yikes!
*hugs*
Paige
My TT is at http://paigetylertheauthor.blogspot.com/
April 12th, 2012 at 10:57 pm · Link
Thanks for stopping by, Paige.
April 12th, 2012 at 7:12 am · Link
Their version of celebrity scandals back in the day.
April 12th, 2012 at 10:58 pm · Link
Times don’t change or rather people don’t change :)
April 12th, 2012 at 8:10 am · Link
Really? They have pocketbooks to scandals?
That’s interesting.
http://otherworlddiner.blogspot.com/2012/04/luncheon-not-soon-forgotten-barbara.html
April 12th, 2012 at 10:58 pm · Link
They have pocket books for everything.
April 12th, 2012 at 8:47 am · Link
I don’t think I’d want to be royalty for any amount of time. Always having to look your best when going out, always on your best behavior or else seeing your bad deeds in the tabloids and never having any privacy..nah, I’ll pass.
April 12th, 2012 at 11:00 pm · Link
Yeah, you could never have a bad hair day or wear your scruffy track pants.
April 12th, 2012 at 8:55 am · Link
And yet, people are surprised every time a new scandal breaks…
April 12th, 2012 at 11:00 pm · Link
It seems there has always been scandal!
April 12th, 2012 at 10:03 am · Link
Royal duties for a week or two…Hmmmm…not enough pay for the things they go through. I mean, heck, paparazzi were still hounding Princess Di even after her break up from big eared Prince Charles…to the point of playing their careless part in her fatal accident.
The newly married William can’t seem to catch a break with his wife on the cover of magazines regularly with people speculating her weight problems, if she can sustain a pregnancy, will she be the next Princess Di?
And this brings to mind that movie Duchess. That thing was a scandal-schmorgesborg with political intrigue, illegitimate kiddos, menage a trois…just crazy.
April 12th, 2012 at 11:01 pm · Link
I haven’t seen the Duchess movie. It sounds intriguing.
April 12th, 2012 at 10:27 am · Link
I would never want to be a member of any royal family. I just don’t see the appeal.
But maybe I’m odd. Yeah, probably. ;)
Happy TT!
April 12th, 2012 at 11:02 pm · Link
I wouldn’t either, Kimberly.
April 12th, 2012 at 11:16 am · Link
I love the fact about George II’s wife.
April 12th, 2012 at 11:03 pm · Link
I guess she was making the most of the situation.
April 13th, 2012 at 11:53 am · Link
I’ve always been fascinated with King Henry VIII. I’m just glad I didn’t marry him.