German Heritage

George V, King of the United Kingdom (1910-1935)

In 1882, the future George V and his brother Prince Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence and Avondale returned from a tour of the British colonies. Queen Victoria complained that her grandsons could not speak French or German, and so they spent six months in Lausanne in an ultimately unsuccessful attempt to learn another language. But what if, instead of being sent to France, they were sent to Germany to learn German? George could potentially become fond of Germany and its culture, which could impact important decisions in his future life. This timeline is based around the idea of this potential influence on George V, namely, more autocratic and monarchist beliefs, and a love of his German Heritage.

After the initial point of divergence, there are three main consequences which shape the timeline:

• I: Inspired by his more autocratic cousins, George V rejects the Liberal Government’s request for the creation of more liberal peers in the House of Lords in November 1910, resulting in the resignation of H.H. Asquith and his cabinet. Arthur Balfour returns to head a new conservative government.
• II: George V, against the advice of the advisers, allows Nicholas II of Russia to claim political asylum in Britain after the February Revolution. Nicholas II brings the revolutionary spirit with him, resulting in some protests.
• III: George V rejects the proposal to change the royal family’s name from Saxe-Coburg and Gotha due to his fondness for his German Heritage, leading to more anti-monarchist feeling.

This timeline asks the Question, What if George V was more Committed to his German Heritage?

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