[GlitteringTiaras]

Other key points:
Geographical, cultural, and political surroundings, which fostered the downfall and strain (I believe) besides the family rift.

"...for this child sooner or later be surrounded by flattery. These are notions which crop up again and again in the education of all three royal cousins, and it is easy now to see how misguided it was, and how useless as a defence against the corroding power of flattery." (14) Extremely important quote from the author which is one aspect to their downfall. And one key point to tone of the book. Had flattery and constant yes’s to these three royal cousins not taken place could their development turn out differently? Or were they doomed from the beginning?


Family loyalty: "Vicky and Fritz, torn between two countries and the two Royal families, to know where to place their loyalties." (20) This was to haunt not only the latter two, but eventually young Willy.

The three wars for Prussia.
Otto von Bismarck.
The instability of the Ottoman Empire.
Social and political uprisings in Russia.
Thank heavens for William Gladstone.
The marriage between Willy and Princess Augusta Victoria of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Augustenburg AKA Dona. (81)

Questions:

1. Due to Alexandra's hatred for Germany do you believe it had somewhat of an impact later in Georgie's life hence the build up toward WWI? If so, why?

2. "Doomed as a failure". This quote was applied to Georgie's older brother, Eddy, which I blame solely on his mother, Alexandra. Do you believe this to be true? Or was there something else going on? If so, what?

3. If Vicky was Georgie's mother do you believe he would have been a stronger person hence "tougher"? What is the problem here in regards to both Nicky and Georgie? The obvious pattern which seems to have carried on in their adult years. Willy, on the other hand, turned out quite "normal" so far... despite his rising ADD problem.

4. Georgie's education suffered because he was the second son. His education was somewhat sacrificed to whatever they thought Eddy needed. Would things have turned out differently if he'd had the education and upbringing of the heir like his cousins did?

5. Would Willy have been less stridently patriotic if his mother had managed to maintain better relations with her father-in-law? And would it have made a difference if Prince Albert hadn't died young?

6. How much of a factor were Vicky's attitudes in the relationship between her husband and his father? Or were Fritz's liberal leanings enough to drive a wedge between them anyway?

7. Did the assassination of Alexander II before he was able to implement some of his reforms affect Nicky's upbringing and attitudes?

8. If Bertie had married a German princess, would relations between Prussia and Britain have been better during Queen Victoria's reign?

9. Do you believe Russia could only be ruled with by an autocratic monarch? After years and years of instability, a small rising class of literate Russians, socialism, modernization, and extremely poor peasants suffering is an autocracy the answer? Is having a monarch at all in Russia worth keeping?