Is Prince William Likely to Be the First Monarch with More English than German Blood in Centuries?

There is a persistent debate about whether Prince William's potential ascension to the throne might mark the first time, in centuries, that a British monarch predominantly comes from English rather than German blood. Given the historical and lineage complexities of the British royal family, this question delves into the nuances of royal ancestry and the genetic and cultural impacts of royal intermarriages.

The Roots of the Debate

The discussion often starts with understanding the lineage of George II, Charles I, and his father George I. In fact, George I, while crowned in Britain, was born in Germany and had strong German heritage through his ancestors. George II’s marriage to Elisabeth of Hanover in 1737 brought even more German blood into the royal line, setting the stage for the debate about the dominance of German blood in British royalty.

Queen Elizabeth II and Her Ancestors

Queen Elizabeth II came from a lineage where her father, King George VI, and his father, George V, had a significant mix of royal and German blood. However, the breakdown of the ancestry shows a relatively greater proportion of German blood among the earlier generations. For example, King George V's father, Edward VII, had Danish royal blood, and Queen Victoria's mother and husband were German.

Prince William’s Ancestry

Prince William’s maternal lineage, though significant, does not add to the substantial German blood in his ancestry. His mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, had no royal blood, and her ancestors did not bring significant German heritage to the royal line. Given this, if we look at Prince Charles and his siblings, they also have more English blood than German due to the mix of royal and non-royal marriages.

Current and Potential Future Monarchs

Prince William himself has more English blood than German, primarily due to the significant non-royal blood in his mother's lineage. His grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, and his father, Charles Prince of Wales, also have a greater proportion of English royal blood. This suggests that if Prince William ascends to the throne, he would indeed be the first monarch in centuries to have more English blood than German.

Statistical Insights

A detailed study by William Addams Reitwiesner quantifies the ethnic ancestry of key royal figures. Here is a summary:

MonarchRoyal AncestryGerman Ancestry William29.4%5.38% Charles58.1%8.1% Elizabeth II38.8%2.88% George VI77.5%5.76% George V86.7%9.96%

This analysis demonstrates that the percentage of royal blood in recent British monarchs is considerably higher than the German blood, supporting the claim that William would be the first in centuries with more English blood than German.

Understanding Royal Ethnicity

European royals can be considered a distinct ethnic group, characterized by shared rituals, languages, and mating practices. Historically, intermarriage between royals was key to alliances and stability, which explains the concentration of royal blood in the early generations.

The Future of the British Monarchy

The question of whether Prince William will be the first British monarch with more English than German blood resonates with broader discussions about the evolution of the British monarchy. As the royal family delves deeper into the 21st century, the genetic and cultural composition of monarchs is expected to continue reflecting the ongoing mix and integration of British and non-British influences.

While the debate remains coherent, the data clearly points to a significant shift in the composition of royal bloodlines, which could mark a new era for the British monarchy.