Bloodlines and betrayals: The startling connection between the WWI leaders

King George V of Britain, Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany, and Tsar Nicholas II of Russia were related through Queen Victoria, who was the grandmother of King George V and the grandmother of Kaiser Wilhelm II.

Firstly, let's take a look at the British royal family. King George V, who ruled from 1910 to 1936, was a cousin of both Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany and Tsar Nicholas II of Russia.

George's grandmother, Queen Victoria, had nine children, and she married them off to various European monarchies to cement political alliances.

Wilhelm's mother, Princess Victoria, was Victoria's oldest child, and Nicholas's wife, Alexandra Feodorovna, was one of Queen Victoria's grandchildren.

Thus, George, Wilhelm, and Nicholas were all part of the same extended family.

Despite this familial connection, tensions were already brewing between the three countries before the war.

Britain and Germany were engaged in a naval arms race, and Germany's increasing aggression in Europe was causing concern in Britain.

Russia, meanwhile, was eager to expand its influence in the Balkans and was allied with France, which added another layer of complexity to the situation.

When war finally broke out in August 1914, the familial connections between the leaders did not prevent their countries from going to war.

Kaiser Wilhelm II, in particular, was eager to prove his worth as a leader and to prove Germany's military might.

He was also jealous of Britain's naval power and saw the war as an opportunity to challenge it.

Tsar Nicholas II, on the other hand, was hesitant to enter the war but felt pressure from his advisors and allies.

Meanwhile, King George V of Britain was in a difficult position. He was committed to defending his country's interests at all costs.

In the end, he had to put his loyalty to Britain first and support his government's decision to go to war.

The familial connection between the leaders did not prevent the war but instead added another layer of complexity to an already complicated situation.