Father-in-law of Europe

King Christian IX with his large family gathered at Fredensborg Palace, painting by Laurits Tuxen from 1883 to 1886

The Father-in-law of Europe is a sobriquet which has been used to refer to European monarchs of the late 19th and early 20th century: Christian IX of Denmark and Nicholas I of Montenegro, both on account of their children's marriages to foreign princes and princesses.

The fact that each was a monarch of moderate or modest power and the number of children each had allowed them to marry their children to heirs of greater fortunes across the continent.

Christian IX of Denmark

Christian IX (1818–1906) was the father of:

• Alexandra of Denmark, who married King Edward VII of the United Kingdom
• Frederick VIII of Denmark
  • His son became King Haakon VII of Norway
• George I of Greece
• Maria Feodorovna (Dagmar of Denmark), who married Czar Alexander III of Russia
• Thyra of Denmark, who married Ernest Augustus, Crown Prince of Hanover

Christian IX used to gather his children, children-in-law and grand children for the so-called Fredensborg days at Fredensborg Palace north of Copenhagen in the summer time.

Nicholas I

Nicholas I (1841–1921) was the father of:

• Elena of Montenegro, who married King Victor Emmanuel III of Italy
• Zorka of Montenegro, who married King Peter I of Serbia
• Anna of Montenegro, who married Prince Francis Joseph of Battenberg
• Two daughters who married brothers:
  • Anastasia of Montenegro, who married Grand Duke Nicholas Nikolaevich of Russia after divorcing George, Duke of Leuchtenberg
  • Milica of Montenegro, who married Grand Duke Peter Nikolaevich of Russia

See also

• Queen Victoria was known as the grandmother of Europe.