Queen Olga?

Grand Duchess Olga Nikolaevna of Russia

Prior to the hectic and pro-isolationist attitudes that followed World War I, the empires of Europe lived in a healthy, communicative state. This was mostly because the main powers were all related. King-Emperor George V of the United Kingdom, Kaiser Wilhelm II of Imperial Germany and Empress Alexandra of Imperial Russia were all grandchildren of the great Queen Victoria, Out of the three factions of this family, the closest, diplomatic relationship rose between George V and Alexandra's husband, Tsar Nicholas II. Both men commanded the greatest Empires in Europe and grew to be good friends. George V headed up the House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha and Nicholas II headed up the infamous House of Romanov. Although George's power was limited, both men had tremendous sway on the international stage.

(Left) Nicholas II of Russia (Right) George V of the United Kingdom

Given that they were both powerful, pre-modern monarchs, what was the best step to a permanent diplomatic Union between Russia and the United Kingdom? Marriage, of course. Almost from the beginning, the two men had their children in contact. The Saxe-Coburg-Gotha children learned Russian while the Romanov children learned English. The most natural Anglo-Russian union was between George V's oldest: Edward, the Princes of Wales and Nicholas II's oldest: the Grand Duchess Olga. Both were around the same age and having the Queen of the United Kingdom be Russian would solidify a diplomatic tie.

Grand Duchess Olga of Russia

Prince Edward, Prince of Wales

Fortunately or unfortunately, the concept of Queen Olga quickly faded. Although Russia and the United Kingdom were allies in World War I, their diplomatic relationship ended. Anti-monarchism ran high in the U.K. and George V knew it was not the time to bring in foreigners to the throne. The British Royal family needed to be re-branded as home grown and British. This resulted in the House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha being renamed the House of Windsor. The Prince of Wales was now expected to marry into the British aristocracy rather than his Russian second cousin, Olga Romanov.

After the families went their separate ways, the lives of Edward and Olga played out very differently and rather tragically. The Grand Duchess Olga and the rest of the Romanov family fell victim to the bloody Russian Revolution. In 1917, the family was imprisoned in Siberia by Bolshevik revolutionaries and eventually executed in 1918. Olga died with her family via firing squad at the age of 22.

The Prince of Wales on the other hand lived the playboy lifestyle and refused to marry. In 1936, he ascended the British throne as King Edward VIII. His reign was short lived and he abdicated to marry his American mistress, Wallis Simpson, only months after his accession. Edward and Wallis became the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, living out their lives in exile in the South of France. Edward died in 1972 at the age of 77.

If the union had gone through as planned, the course of the United Kingdom and Russia may have played out differently. Edward and Olga would have most likely reigned as King and Queen for the rest of their lives, producing heirs. By doing this, we would not have the current Elizabeth II, Edward's niece. The Romanovs may have also overcame revolution with British support. Although, the British anti-monarchism may have overrun the country with a foreign Queen on the throne. What if?

The Romanov family. The Grand Duchess Olga is right, center behind her father, Tsar Nicholas II.

The four Romanov sisters during their imprisonment after the revolution. Olga is seated on the far left.

The room where the Romanovs were executed by firing squad. 

The Saxe-Coburg-Gotha (later Windsor) family. Prince Edward, Prince of Wales is second from the right.

The wedding of Prince Edward, Duke of Windsor (formerly Edward VIII) and Wallis, Duchess of Windsor (formerly Wallis Simpson), 1937.