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 two 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 thus a marriage would not threaten the delicate balance of power) allowed them to marry some of their many children to heirs of greater fortunes across the continent.

Christian IX of Denmark

Further information: Descendants of Christian IX of Denmark

The children of King Christian IX (1818–1906) and Queen Louise (1817–1898) of Denmark included:

• King Frederik VIII of Denmark (1843–1912)
• Queen Alexandra of the United Kingdom (1844–1925) queen consort of King Edward VII
• King George I of Greece (1845–1913)
• Empress Maria Feodorovna of Russia (1847–1928) empress consort of Emperor Alexander III
• Crown Princess Thyra of Hanover (1853–1933), who married Crown Prince Ernest Augustus
• Prince Valdemar of Denmark

Christian IX used to gather his children, children-in-law and grandchildren for the so-called Fredensborg days at Fredensborg Palace north of Copenhagen in the summer time. Christian and Louise's grandchildren included King Christian X of Denmark, King George V of the United Kingdom, Emperor Nicholas II of Russia, King Constantine I of Greece and both King Haakon VII and his consort, Queen Maud of Norway.

Nicholas I of Montenegro

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

• Zorka of Montenegro, who married King Peter I of Serbia
• Elena of Montenegro, who married King Victor Emmanuel III of Italy
• 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, who was known as the grandmother of Europe
  • Descendants of Queen Victoria
• Louis IX, Landgrave of Hesse-Darmstadt, the most recent common ancestor of all current European monarchs since 2022
• John William Friso, Prince of Orange, until 2022, the most recent common ancestor of all European monarchs since World War II, current and former
• Miguel I of Portugal, another European king whose children strategically married into various European royal families
  • Descendants of Miguel I of Portugal