The British Royal Family Changed Their Name During WWI

The British monarchy's decision to change its name was a direct response to the intense anti-German sentiment that swept through Britain during World War I. The royal family's name, Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, came to them through Queen Victoria's marriage to Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. However, with Britain at war with Germany, this German heritage became a significant liability. Public anger intensified after German Gotha bombers carried out air raids over London, including one that tragically struck a school in the East End, killing children. The shared name of the bombers and the royal house created a deeply uncomfortable association.

In response to the mounting pressure and to demonstrate solidarity with the British people, King George V issued a proclamation on July 17, 1917, relinquishing all German titles and dignities and adopting the name Windsor. This new name was chosen for its strong connection to Windsor Castle, a quintessentially British royal residence. The change was a symbolic act of severing ties with their German roots and rebranding the monarchy as distinctly British during a time of national crisis.

The name change was not without its critics, and it is said that King George V's cousin, Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany, met the news with a touch of wit. He reportedly joked that he was looking forward to seeing a performance of Shakespeare's play, "The Merry Wives of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha." This quip highlighted the absurdity he saw in the situation, even as the House of Windsor became the new and enduring name for the British royal family.