HOW THE WINDSOR FAMILY BECAME BRITISH
1917: World War I
Britain was at war with Germany, and anti-German feelings were very strong,
especially after a German bombing on a school in London killed 18 children. At
that time, the British royal family still had German names and titles, which
made many people uncomfortable. After all, the same name – Gotha – was also
used by the German bombers attacking Britain.
So, on July 17th, 1917, King George V made a historic decision:
he changed the family name from Saxe-Coburg and Gotha to Windsor, a very
English name, and gave up all German titles. From that moment, the British
royal family officially became “British.”
Ancient Germanic Roots
The English and German people actually share the same ancient origins. The
Angles, Saxons, and Jutes were Germanic tribes that moved to Britain during
the early Middle Ages. The name England comes from “Angle-land,” and the
English language has many words that are very similar to German, like “house”
(Haus) or “bread” (Brot).
So, the connection between England and Germany is very old, both ethnically
and linguistically.
German Kings in Britain: The House of Hanover
In 1714, a German prince named George I, from the House of Hanover, became King
of Great Britain. He was born in Lower Saxony, Germany, and didn’t even speak
English at first!
This German royal family ruled Britain until 1901. One of their most famous
members was Queen Victoria, who ruled for over 60 years. She was raised speaking
German and married her German cousin, Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.
The Origins of the Saxe-Coburg and Gotha Family
1917: World War I
Britain was at war with Germany, and anti-German feelings were very strong,
especially after a German bombing on a school in London killed 18 children. At
that time, the British royal family still had German names and titles, which
made many people uncomfortable. After all, the same name – Gotha – was also
used by the German bombers attacking Britain.
So, on July 17th, 1917, King George V made a historic decision:
he changed the family name from Saxe-Coburg and Gotha to Windsor, a very
English name, and gave up all German titles. From that moment, the British
royal family officially became “British.”
Ancient Germanic Roots
The English and German people actually share the same ancient origins. The
Angles, Saxons, and Jutes were Germanic tribes that moved to Britain during
the early Middle Ages. The name England comes from “Angle-land,” and the
English language has many words that are very similar to German, like “house”
(Haus) or “bread” (Brot).
So, the connection between England and Germany is very old, both ethnically
and linguistically.
German Kings in Britain: The House of Hanover
In 1714, a German prince named George I, from the House of Hanover, became King
of Great Britain. He was born in Lower Saxony, Germany, and didn’t even speak
English at first!
This German royal family ruled Britain until 1901. One of their most famous
members was Queen Victoria, who ruled for over 60 years. She was raised speaking
German and married her German cousin, Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.
The Origins of the Saxe-Coburg and Gotha Family
