BBC's Royal Cousins at War (1 Viewer)

[Rob]

New two parter that looks at the complex intertwined relationships between the Russian Tsar Nicolas II, King George V of England and the German Kaiser Willhelm II. The relationships between the families is well explained and fascinating with it. The Kaisers birth was to put it mildly pretty horrid and a difficult childhood followed. A letter from him to his mother in which he asked his mother if they could soon be in a room together away from prying eyes where he could kiss his mothers hands all over in total privacy, in just the way he had done in a dream the night before, was somewhat disturbing. This showed how much he craved her attention that she never really showed him due to his withered arm, a result of his difficult birth.

The Kaiser went on to envy, admire, resent and court popularity with both Russia and England in various phases during the run up to his grandmother's (Queen Victoria) death. In fact she died in his arms(did not know that-can imagine how that would not want to be made public!).

George the V on the other hand had a very loving relationship with his mother. In one letter she signed off ' With a great big kiss for your lovely little face'.........he was 25 at the time!!^&grin

First ep was excellent and have second to watch.

Rob

 

[Rob]

Second ep was equally good. Built up very nicely to the tragic end to the Tsar and his family and the Kaiser being sidelined and ignored. George V being the only one who survived unscathed but with no real power. An enjoyable two parter this one, it did not focus on the political or military aspect of the run up to the war very much, but the competitive relationship between the three men was fascinating to watch.

I think this may be available to view on the BBC Centenary website.

Rob

 

[jazzeum]

Nicholas and George were apparently were very close and resembled each other. Although close, George did not help his cousin to be admitted to Britain as things were crashing around him. He may have feared the affect on the monarchy had he done so.

Brad

 

[Rob]

Nicholas and George were apparently were very close and resembled each other. Although close, George did not help his cousin to be admitted to Britain as things were crashing around him. He may have feared the affect on the monarchy had he done so.

Brad

That's right Brad they were, they did indeed look alike and some pics it was hard to tell who was who. Historians suggested it was a cowardly act on George's part, as you say maybe he feared it would cause unrest had he helped. Was a truly brutal murder and so cruel.

Thing is Brad I've always been a supporter of our monarchy although I do not agree with the amount of money that gets spent. But when you see these sort of docu's that lay out in front of you the lavish, extravagant , lets face it idle , life these European Royals lived in those days you can understand somewhat the call for republics. I mean here were these huge families, their servants etc all living as kind of family social satellites around Queen Victoria whilst across Europe millions lived in poverty, it is a bit hard to swallow.

Although perhaps not quite near revolution, there was disquiet in this country when Victoria's mourning became so intense she withdrew from public for ten years . Throw in the fact that Queen Victoria's eldest Bertie was suspected of visiting brothels in the East End during the time of Jack the Ripper and emotions were running high (was proved it was impossible as he was in Scotland) . But as you can imagine the idea that the rich, playboy son of the absent Queen was visiting the poor fallen girls of the east end before returning to his lavish lifestyle was not going down well. However when Victoria did finally emerge the public quickly fell in love with their monarch again and the popularity of the Monarchy was restored.

Monarchist, republican it's all fascinating stuff and this docu was a superb glimpse into another, long gone world.

Rob