Kings, Queens and Fallen Monarchies: Royal Dynasties of Interwar Europe

by Robert Stove

Explores the interwar movements to restore Europe's deposed royal houses, examining their political significance and influence on global power dynamics.

Among the great hidden narratives of twentieth-century history are the movements in Europe which, between the two world wars, aimed to restore the royal and imperial houses forced out of power in 1918 (or, in Portugal’s case, eight years earlier). These efforts acquired media coverage and, often, strategic importance far greater than would be now supposed from the cursory, often dismissive, treatment which they have received from most historians since.

Campaigns to reinstate such dynasties as the Hohenzollerns, the Habsburgs, the Wittelsbachs, the Braganças, and even France’s House of Orléans, were taken seriously at the highest governmental and journalistic levels in London and Paris, not to mention the Holy See. Upon the whole phenomenon, this book seeks to shed light. It discusses both the phenomenon’s ‘soft power’ manifestations (the designs of newspaper tycoon Lord Rothermere upon the Hungarian throne for his son, for instance) and the phenomenon’s ‘hard power’ manifestations, among which probably the most dramatic were the successful monarchical campaigns in Albania and Greece.

With a cast that includes not only the monarchist candidates themselves but Churchill, Lloyd George, Hitler, Mussolini, and Franco, this is a drama that embraces a continent and forces thorough reappraisals of events which we thought we knew. No one can read it without acquiring a firmer grasp of political power's very nature and the sheer narrowness of the gap between victory and defeat.

Genres: History

256 pages, Hardcover

Published December 30, 2024

Reviews

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

thanks to the publishers and netgalley for a free copy in return for an open and honest review

Found this book very interesting dividing up the various countries where Royal houses fell post WW1 and how the countries tried to develop different systems and the aftermath of what happened to these families. Has been fully researched and would interest anyone with an interest in modern history.

[William Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have just finished a read of Robert Stove's "Kings, Queens and Fallen Monarchies: Royal Dynasties in Interwar Europe." I am working from an ARC graciously provided to me by my friends at Pen and Sword (the publishers). This charming and very accessible text fills a void that I have long been aware of, that is the fate of the families associated with the European monarchies that fell with the conclusion of World War I. As you might expect, the book is populated with saints and scoundrels in about equal measure as it chronicles the fate of one ruling House after another when the war ended. No one looking at the developments in Europe in the interwar years, particularly the growth of socialism/communism on the left and fascism/national socialism on the right should overlook this book. One of its most fascinating features for me (I am a monarchist at heart) is the poignant fate of many of the deposed on monarchs and their families. I was, for example, deeply touched by the author's examination of Karl, the last Austrian Emperor, and his tragic but deeply moving end as well as the fate of Alfonso XIII of Spain, about whom I knew little before I was introduced to him in this text. If you have ever wondered what happened to these people and their families (and many others are discussed here, country by country) this book is far more than just a political history, it is, in many ways a bridge to understanding where we all came from and what was both lost and gained in the Great War. I would give it 6 stars if I could (it is really that good--I went from laughing out loud to being very near tears as I realized what we have all lost, and just how much good may have perished with the lost monarchies. This book belongs in every collection on European history.. I endorse it without reservation.

[Vicuña · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve always been interested in history and over some fifty decades ir more, I’ve read and studied many different aspects. That said, this book is a total revelation! I had no idea that so much was going on in the background well into the twentieth century. I knew over the centuries that marriages were contrived as a means to power and control and various European royal houses lost their sovereignty for a number of reasons. The history behind so many of these well known dynasties is well set out in this book. I was aware of the Portuguese house of Braganza, but didn’t realise the monarchy there had lasted so long. The social, religious and political reasons behind the downfall of this, and other European families is explored in fascinating detail.

I’m not a royalist and find the contrivances established for centuries to ensure that control and power remains in the hands of a select few both odious and irrelevant. But it goes on and Robert Stoves book gives shocking insight into how far the state and senior politicians were ( and no doubt are) involved in maintaining their status quo. This title makes the complexities of the links between so many families much easier to understand and it tackles a diverse subject in an informed and structured way. At times, it reads rather like an adventure story and I was keen to find out what happened next. An authoritative and truly eye opening read. Really enjoyed it and it’s whetted my appetite for more like this.

[Lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this unique and fascinating history of twentieth-century European royalty, Robert Stove focuses on the royal and imperial houses forced out of power between the two world wars. From Russia and Austria to France and Portugal, among other nations, Stove explores how and why these monarchies collapsed, what systems replaced them, and what the throneless royalty did in the aftermath. Including other political figures from the era and exploring alternatives to political power, each chapter focuses on a particular dynasty in impeccably researched detail that history buffs and casual readers will appreciate. Drawing on contemporary newspaper coverage and political reactions to these dynastic collapses, Stove paints a fascinating picture of early twentieth century European geopolitics and their shift away from families to structures and the effects of these switches. Stove’s language is complex yet readable, and the historical analysis provides great context and clarity so readers understand the scope and significance of these political changes in their contemporary context. An excellent addition to current historiographies of European royalty and the dramatic political changes of the last century, readers will greatly enjoy this new title for its historical detail, brilliant prose, clear organization, and the brilliant world that Stove has brought to life.

Thanks to NetGalley and Pen & Sword for the advance copy.

[pendragon reads]

DNF’d.

Maybe it was my fault for not reading more into this book before requesting it but although the topic is interesting it was a bit too dense and academic for me and I could not get through it. Maybe i’ll give it another chance in the future when I have more time to take it in slowly.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange of an honest review.

[Justin Neville · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm marking this as read, did not finish. I may come back to it at some point. or perhaps dip into some of the remaining chapters.

I have read about half of it and enjoyed the first few chapters, but the writing was getting increasingly impenetrable.

[♡ Vincent ♡ · Rating 2 out of 5]

More for royalists if anything.
While I did enjoy the book and reading it was okay, the book being more for royalists then a netural view kinda made it only have 2 stars. Me personally Im more left wing so...
Would recommend for people who already know this era in history. If you are new to this era, get a non biased view on this era

[Madeleine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read a book on a similar topic before, which was published in 1994. As the author reminds us of the last attempt at a monarchist coup in Germany, it proves one thing – the topic is still relevant and worth exploring.
I was very impressed by the structure of the book. I learned a lot of new things, for example, about Portuguese history, which I believe is not as well-known. Each chapter was very well organized, and the events were clearly described. The text is engaging and informative, which allowed me to learn a lot.
This book is a great contribution to the literature on monarchies and their falls.


Thank you to NetGalley and Pen & Sword History for a free digital review copy. This is my honest review.