Artemisia
Heir Presumptive, Royal Blogger
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- Feb 26, 2012
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I'd say definitely less.
Doubt if Zara's royal connections influenced her relationship with Mike in any way.
That is to say, I understand why she couldn't marry a German (World War II) or a Catholic (Act of Settlement), but why not a commoner?For example, Elizabeth couldn't marry a commoner, a Catholic or a German. That left a relatively small number of men around her own age from the British aristocracy and a few foreign royal families.
That is to say, I understand why she couldn't marry a German (World War II) or a Catholic (Act of Settlement), but why not a commoner?
Elizabeth could have married a titled aristocrat, an officer or just a middle-class man with some noble/aristocratic background without any issued.
Elizabeth could have married a titled aristocrat, an officer or just a middle-class man with some noble/aristocratic background without any issued.
I'll agree that the Queen could hardly marry a penniless Joe. Then again, she never socialised with such people: her entire circle of acquaintances consisted of men who'd be deemed more than eligible. And don't forget that her own mother was a commoner!Artemisia - While I agree Elizabeth could have married a commoner don't you think the prevailing custom practically precluded that alternative? The grey suits and all that were a bit stiff then. As it was, she had to stomp her foot a bit to get Phillip approved.
You're absolutely correct. I remember reading in Robert Lacey's biography of Her Majesty, that it was very much hoped that Elizabeth would marry one of the officers that were invited to various parties, and therefore, she was encouraged to socialize with them. However, the Princess knew her mind, and wanted to marry none other than Philip of Greece and Denmark.
I've read about it too, Daria and NGalitzine. In post-war Britain, it would have been quite morally uplifting if the young Princess married a dashing British officer who had distinguished himself in teh field of battle. That she actually did but the only problem with Prince Philip was that, despite fighting for Britain during World War II, he was a "Greek" or a "German" - but certainly not British.Indeed, Elizabeth's father had a whole slew of young officers from aristocratic families lined up as potential husbands, she just wasn't interested in them as anything other than dance partners and friends. Queen Mary referred to them as The Body Guard.
Of course, there was always a very high expectation of the future Queen's husband.I'll amend my statement to say she would have needed to marry a very uncommon commoner. We can quibble over exactly where the line would have been drawn, but IMO the reality is that Elizabeth's family, the royal court and the majority of the British people expected her to marry someone with a certain sort of pedigree... the kind of pedigree that a relatively small number of men have.
Of course, there was always a very high expectation of the future Queen's husband.
There were the traditionalists who expected nothing short of a royal -royal wedding (and who were quite happy with Elizabeth's choice), then there were those who'd prefer and English/British husband for the Queen (they still grumble), and those who simply accepted a man from a proper (aristocratic or noble) background.
I wouldn't say there was a small number though: any officer with relatively untarnished reputation, any son of a noble or aristocrat, anyone with some pedigree would probably have been considered a suitable match.
bertie5252003 said:Daniel would never have married Victoria if she had been anyone else
bertie5252003 said:Daniel would never have married Victoria if she had been anyone else
Elizabeth and Phillip never
I could go on but I think you have to marry someone for one reason or another and if it's what they have and you want it well why not is that harsh I don't believe so ...
Margaret and Antony not if she had been plain ol' Meg Smith and so on but she had something he wanted so there it is ... but that is just the way I see it and if the other person feels okay aboutthat then well who am I to say it's not ok!!!! IMO of course
HRHHermione said:I think that's very cynical and also that there are no available facts that support this conclusion. In fact, I believe their relationship would have been much easier on Daniel had Victoria not been who she is.
Elizabeth and Phillip never
Not disputing what you wrote, just one observation.
Most officers in the British Army during World War II and earlier (at least those of the rank of Lieutenant and above) came from noble or aristocratic background; a lot were Etonians, Harrovians or Wykemists. That's certainly true for those who were officers by the start of the war: in fact, merely to become an officer you needed a "proper" background in most cases.
Of course, the rank could have also been acquired through distinguished service in Armed Forces, especially in wartime. But even so, most of the higher-ranking officers came from nobility, aristocracy and gentry.
Daniel would never have married Victoria if she had been anyone else
Elizabeth and Phillip never
I could go on but I think you have to marry someone for one reason or another and if it's what they have and you want it well why not is that harsh I don't believe so ...
Margaret and Antony not if she had been plain ol' Meg Smith and so on but she had something he wanted so there it is ... but that is just the way I see it and if the other person feels okay aboutthat then well who am I to say it's not ok!!!! IMO of course
Elizabeths social circle was incredibly small, and she had led a very sheltered life at Buckingham Palace, Windsor and Balmoral. Short of falling in love with a footman or a guardsman the chance of her coming into close enough contact with a man of a non-suitable station in life to even contemplate marriage was pretty much nil.