Most shocking royal family feuds in the history of British Monarchy

When it comes to the British royal family, they’re not only known for their glory and grandeur, but are also infamous for all the drama and longstanding family feuds and disagreements that have deeply affected their prominence in the public eye. Besides having maintained an elegant semblance for over centuries, the British monarchy has had its own share of trials and tribulations. From rifts between royal spouses to sibling rivalry, the royal family has seen it all and while there is no denying it, here are some of the most shocking royal family feuds in the history of British royalty.

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The history of royal family feud dates back to the year 1126, when King Henry I appointed his daughter, Matilda, the heir to the throne of England and Normandy. The idea of a woman ruler – as alien as it was to the people during that time - not only disturbed the subjects, but also lead them to declare a civil war after the King’s death, which lasted for about 19 years. However, the matter was resolved in the end with the help of a peace treaty.

Known as two of the most legendary rivals in the history of British Monarchy, Queen Elizabeth I and Mary, Queen of Scots were cousins, who never got around reconciling with each other. While Queen Mary inherited Scotland’s throne after the death of her father, she lead a very tumultuous life thereafter. Although the two had never met in person, their decade’s long rivalry ended with Mary’s beheading, an order issued by Queen Elizabeth I herself.

The complicated relationship between the two brothers, King George VI and King Edward VIII began with the abdication of the throne of the latter and continued due to his ties with the Nazi regime. Having fallen in love and married with a two times American divorcee, Wallis Simpson, caused quite the stir in the British royal family, which not only changed the entire line of the British succession, but also left King George VI feeling bitter and without a choice.

One of the greatest feuds of all time in the British royalty is that between Princess Diana and Prince Charles. Having married at a young age of 20, many had already speculated the troubled relationship between the two – which somehow turned out to be true. After their separation, she openly admits in an interview how she was already aware of her husband’s affair with Camilla Parker Bowles and that she suffered through many mental health issues.

Following Diana’s death, her brother, Charles Spencer was not quite happy with the turn of events. On Diana’s funeral, Charles, in his eulogy, talked about how the paparazzi harassed his sister and also expressed his dissatisfaction towards the royal family, causing a great dent between the two families for years.

The author of the book “Game of Crowns” had revealed that Camilla Parker Bowles, Prince William’s stepmother wanted Will and Kate to break up. Allegedly, the Duchess of Cornwall wanted her husband Prince Charles to convince Prince William to break it off with Kate because she did not like the way people loved Kate and not her.

There is no doubt that the sibling duo – Prince William and Prince Harry – have had a difficult upbringing, especially due to their parent’s separation and mother’s death. However, it never stopped the two brothers from supporting each other. But following Prince Harry’s and Meghan Markle’s stepping back from their royal duties may have strained their relationship in various ways. According to the historian and author of the new book, "Battle of Brothers: The Inside Story of a Family in Tumult", Robert Lacey describes their relationship by saying, “Fundamental to the whole saga is the clash of love versus duty.”