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The de Facto Traitor

For those of you who follow kings, queens, and nobility, it can be quite a chore trying to figure out the genealogy of each family and then tracking how the marriages and children forge political links between countries. One example would be Britain and Russia. King George V (1865−1936) and Tsar Nicholas II (1868−1918) were first cousins and looking at the image of the two standing side-by-side, you would swear they were twins. Empress Maria Theresa (1717−1780) decided to end hostilities with France and so she offered up her ninth child (Marie Antoinette) in marriage to the French dauphin, the future King Louis XVI. (That decision didn’t end well for her daughter, did it?) Tracking British and French monarchies is relatively easy compared to the royal families of the Scandinavian countries and Germany.

Tsar Nicholas II of Russia (left) and King George V of England (right). Photo by Ernst Sandau (c. 1913). Uploaded by Mrlopez2681. PD-Published before 1 January 1929. Wikimedia Commons.
Tsar Nicholas II of Russia (left) and King George V of England (right). Photo by Ernst Sandau (c. 1913). Uploaded by Mrlopez2681. PD-Published before 1 January 1929. Wikimedia Commons.

As Hitler began his conquest of Europe in May 1940, it was clear to most that his armies would be successful, occupation was inevitable, and Germany would soon become the master of Europe. Every country Hitler targeted was confronted with the dilemma of determining whether its government should stay or leave in exile. France chose to create a new government, Vichy, and collaborate with the Germans. For Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands, there was no choice in her mind. She immediately relocated her government to England and fought Hitler from abroad (click here to read the blog, Audrey Hepburn & Queen Wilhelmina). Belgium’s King Leopold III (1901−1983) stayed and tried to maintain neutrality but was captured and held in Germany until his liberation. (The Belgian government refused to stay and moved to England.) Norway was not able to maintain its neutrality and King Haakon VII (1872−1957) and his government escaped to London leaving the country to the infamous collaborator and traitor, Vidkun Quisling (1887−1945). Finland’s royal family fled to England and the country came under the thumb of the Soviet Union and then Germany. (Click here to read Valkoinen Kuolema and here to read Two Footballers and a War.) Read More The de Facto Traitor

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Audrey Hepburn & Queen Wilhelmina

I grew up in the Netherlands during the 1960s when Queen Juliana was the reigning monarch of The Kingdom of the Netherlands. (Commonly referred to in English as “The Netherlands,” or “Holland.”) She was the daughter of the former queen, Wilhelmina, who abdicated in 1948 for health reasons. I can vaguely remember my parents and others talking about the former queen and some of her perceived eccentricities. Other than that slight exposure to her, I have only followed the Dutch royal family since Queen Juliana and her daughter, Beatrix.

The Dutch royal family on the palace balcony immediately after Queen Wilhelmina’s abdication. Queen Julianna (left) and her husband, Prince Bernard (right) flank the former queen. Photo by Willem van de Poll (4 September 1948). Nationaal Archief NL. PD-CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication. Wikimedia Commons.
The Dutch royal family on the palace balcony immediately after Queen Wilhelmina’s abdication. Queen Julianna (left) and her husband, Prince Bernard (right) flank the former queen. Photo by Willem van de Poll (4 September 1948). Nationaal Archief NL. PD-CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication. Wikimedia Commons.

Fast forward to 2020 when I got my hands on Robert Matzen’s book, Dutch Girl (see below in the recommended reading section). I really enjoyed his book on Jimmy Stewart (Mission: Jimmy Stewart and the Fight for Europe) so I thought I’d take a chance on reading about one of my favorite actors, Audrey Hepburn. One of the things I learned was the role Queen Wilhelmina played during World War II and how much Hitler hated her and the royal family. He despised them so much that orders were given to round up anyone who were friends, cronies, or political friends of Wilhelmina and her family and hold them as hostages for possible execution in retaliation for attacks on German soldiers. This is where Audrey Hepburn comes into our story. Oh, I also learned the one secret Audrey tried to hide for her entire life. Read More Audrey Hepburn & Queen Wilhelmina