These Two Kings Changed The Course Of History – And Here’s Why No One Could Tell Them Apart
It’s May 24, 1913, and European royalty have descended on the German capital of Berlin for the marriage ceremony of Kaiser Wilhelm II’s daughter. The whole continent stands on the precipice of turmoil at this point, but that’s not quite clear yet. The atmosphere for now is jovial, and two attending monarchs appear to be getting on particularly well. Russia’s Tsar Nicholas II and King George V of the United Kingdom stand together in uniform – seemingly as good friends. Though what’s striking is just how similar in appearance these two men look!
Both George V and Nicholas II had blue eyes, while even their dark beards were styled in the exact same fashion. Town & Country notes that they stood at the same height, with each man measuring 5 foot and 7 inches. The resemblance was uncanny, and they could have easily been mistaken for twins.
The two monarchs were also close confidants, which is evident from their correspondences. According to the magazine, they’d call one another “Nicky” and “Georgie” in letters. Apparently, George once remarked to Nicholas in 1894, “I look upon you... as one of my oldest and best friends.” Things, however, wouldn’t always stay so smooth between them.
As things turned out, the 1913 wedding in Berlin was actually the final time that George and Nicholas would ever see one another. The following year World War I erupted – descending Europe into darkness. Every person living across the continent was deeply affected, and that included the monarchs.
World War I would go on to totally transform Europe. Borders were redrawn and some monarchies met their end. And while George and Nicholas were allied on the same side as the conflict raged, their personal relationship was tested and ultimately ruined. But it turns out that this breakdown was actually a failure of a much greater plan formulated by Queen Victoria!
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