Royal Cousins at War

Royal Cousins at War is a 2-part series that tells the story of the three monarchs who reigned over Europe's Greatest powers at the outbreak of the First World WarTsar Nicholas II of Russia, Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany and King George V of England. The emerging divisions and rivalries between the inter- related houses of Europe brought change, tragedy and personal humiliation. While it was war that delivered the final blow, this fascinating series shows how the rot had set in much earlier and how the European royals contributed to their demise. Mismanaging their countries and mishandling foreign policy, they failed to adapt to the forces of nationalism and democracy, and so brought tumbling down their own ideal of a Europe governed by the descendants of Queen Victoria. Of the four great Imperial dynasties Germany, Austria-Hungary, Russia and Great Britain only George V, the least personally powerful, remained standing. Monarchy, for centuries the prime form of governance in Europe, was finished as a serious political force.. (BBC)