Saxe-Coburg Becomes an International Dynasty by Means of its Wedding Policy

Prince Albert’s grandparents Franz Friedrich Anton of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld (1750–1806) and his wife Auguste Caroline Sophie (1757–1812) very successfully tried to help seven of their children to marry into important or at least very wealthy aristocratic families in Europe. The most consequential are mentioned here:

Grand Princesse Anna Feodorowna, born Princess Juliane and Grand Prince Constantine

Princess Juliane (1781–1860) was married in 1796 to the Russian Grand Prince Constantine (1779–1831). The connection with the then most important court in Europe brought renown and financial means but the marriage was very unhappy and broke up in 1801.

Prince Ferdinand and the family of Koháry

Prince Ferdinand (1785–1851) married in Vienna into the rich Hungarian noble family of Koháry and thus founded the Catholic branch Saxe-Coburg-Koháry that would later rule over Portugal, Brazil and Bulgaria.

Princess Victorie and Duke Edward of Kent

Princess Victoire (1786–1861) married in 1818 Duke Edward of Kent (1767–1820); in 1837, their daughter Victoria (1819–1901) succeeded to the English throne.

Prince Leopold and Charlotte Augusta

Prince Leopold (1790–1865) had originally wed Charlotte Augusta (1796–1817) the pretender to the English throne who had, however, died very young. After having declined the offer of the throne of Greece in 1830, he was chosen in 1831 as king of Belgium.

Hereditary Prince Ernst

Hereditary Prince Ernest (1784–1844) took on the rule over the territory of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld and created the duchy of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. Daughter Antoinette (1779–1824) married within the German aristocracy.

This kind of marriage policy was possible not least, since Coburg was of no particular political importance. In the case of a marriage with a Coburg prince or princess, no change to the balance of power within Europe needed to be feared. Reichskanzler Otto von Bismarck (imperial chancellor, 1815–1898) allegedly called the house of Coburg the “stud farm of Europe” with some considerable contempt. Perhaps, however, this remark was simply prompted by anger about the Coburg Duke Ernest II’s (1818–1893) having developed into a serious adversary of Bismarck’s politics.