But Victoria’s son, Leopold, also died of complications of the disease, and it made its way into the Spanish royal family, as well. One of the first instances of "genetic genealogy" was the investigation into the roots of the hemophilia that plagued the czarevich Alexei of Russia, the only son of Nicholas II, who probably wouldn’t have lived long enough to become czar even if the Bolsheviks hadn’t liquidated the imperial family. The index was far from comprehensive: eg on more than one occasion Frederick the Great (of Prussia) is cited in the text but he doesn't appear in the index nor William of Gloucester, cited above, diagnosed with porphyria, the malady which afflicted George III (and Mary Queen of Scots amongst others) so surely worthy of one. Reference is made to ‘descendants’ of Frederick the Great.
I began to doubt its veracity after spotting a number of inaccuracies, two of which are : Prince William of Gloucester (1941-72), described as a nephew of George V. Was Queen Victoria legitimate and if so where did the haemophilia gene come from? A big question, particularly in view of the havoc the gene wreaked on the international royal stage.Īn interesting read at least in part but it lacked structure and the later chapters were rambling. An alternative might be: ‘Coburg Ambition and Queen Victoria’s Gene: Haemophilia and the Royal Family’. An odd book which doesn’t quite match its title.