Royalty and Diplomacy in Europe, 1890}}}1914 [Paperback]

This 2001 book examines the role of European royal families in diplomacy before the First World War.This book examines the role of royal families in European diplomacy before the outbreak of the First World War. It argues against the prevailing orthodoxy that has sought to marginalise the role of monarchs, and shows that monarchs remained significant political actors in pre-1914 Europe. Much attention is paid to relations between royal courts, notably those of Britain, Prussia-Germany and Russia (led by Edward VII, Wilhelm II and Nicholas II), but the book also contains case-studies that probe the extent of royal diplomatic influence in a wider context.This book examines the role of royal families in European diplomacy before the outbreak of the First World War. It argues against the prevailing orthodoxy that has sought to marginalise the role of monarchs, and shows that monarchs remained significant political actors in pre-1914 Europe. Much attention is paid to relations between royal courts, notably those of Britain, Prussia-Germany and Russia (led by Edward VII, Wilhelm II and Nicholas II), but the book also contains case-studies that probe the extent of royal diplomatic influence in a wider context.This book examines the role of royal families in European diplomacy before the outbreak of the First World War. It argues against the prevailing orthodoxy that has sought to marginalize the role of monarchs, and shows that monarchs remained significant political actors in pre-1914 Europe. Much attention is paid to relations among royal courts, notably those of Britain, Prussia-Germany and Russia (led by Edward VII, Wilhelm II and Nicholas II), but the book also contains case studies that probe the extent of royal diplomatic influence in a wider context.List of illustrations; Acknowledgements; List of abbreviations; Introduction; 1. The Kaiser and the Tsar: German-Russian dynastic relations, 18881914; 2. Uncle and nephew: Edward VII, Wilhelm II and the Anglo-German dylÓ.