Imperial Germany’s Romeo & Juliet

What happens when a conqueror’s granddaughter falls for the heir to the kingdom her family stole?

Prince Ernst August and Princess Viktoria Luise. Photo by T. H. Voigt, public domain via Wikimedia Commons.

The problem started with Prussia. In 1866, Prussia picked a fight with Austria to take over as shot-caller among Europe’s German-speaking territories. Those territories now had to pick a side in the war that followed.

King George of Hanover chose Austria. Turns out, he chose poorly.

Prussia trounced Austria and her allies in a matter of weeks. Then Prussia annexed Hanover and seized George’s property and assets, leaving the royal family jobless and homeless. But George refused to abdicate — he’d been crowned and anointed, chosen by God to rule his kingdom. No Prussian could change that.

So he moved to Austria, where his court in exile became a focal point for the anti-Prussian sentiment. When George died, his son — sharing his bitterness against Prussia — also refused to abdicate.

The feud showed no signs of abating as the years wore on.

King George V of Hanover photographed by Eugen Lulves, public domain via Wikimedia Commons.

Too Fast, Too Furious