Through most of history, royals were stuck in unhappy, arranged marriages. But, sometimes, after getting through the awkward wedding night, royal brides and grooms found they had a lot in common and formed intimate, passionate, life-long connections. Some kings even ignored the court ladies clamoring to be their mistresses, and had eyes only for their Queen. From a medieval Queen who rode into war at her husband’s side, to a renaissance emperor who trusted his wife to rule. From a Queen who risked death to continue sleeping with her husband, to a Princess who was betrothed to the heir, but ended up happy with the spare. While these monarchs might have been romantic heroes in the bedchamber, they were far from flawless. Some were cruel and violent towards their enemies and even their own people. But they prove that happily ever afters really can come true! At least until a lack of medical knowledge came in to turn their Julia Quinn bodice rippers into Nicholas Sparks tragedies. Let’s meet 4 royal couples, who were brought together by arranged marriages but ended up falling in love! 1. King Edward I of England & Eleanor of Castile 2. Holy Roman Emperor Charles V & Isabella of Portugal 3. Queen Maria II of Portugal & Prince Ferdinand of Saxe-Coburg & Gotha 4. Tsar Alexander III of Russia & Princess Dagmar of Denmark Join me every Tuesday when I'm Spilling the Tea on History! Check out my Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/lindsayholiday Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091781568503 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/historyteatimelindsayholiday/ Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@historyteatime Please consider supporting me at https://www.patreon.com/LindsayHoliday and help me make more fascinating episodes! Intro Music: Baroque Coffee House by Doug Maxwell Music: Butterflies in Love by Sir Cubworth #HistoryTeaTime #LindsayHoliday Please contact ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠ if you would like to advertise on this podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices