Nigel Cawthorne - Sex Lives of the Kings & Queens of England

Journalist and author, Nigel Cawthorne has had his work published on both sides of the Atlantic. He has written many books on subjects as diverse as computing, politics, finance, sex and American football. He has contributed to many newspapers, including: The Financial Times, The News of the World, The Daily Mail, The New York Herald-Tribune.

In the same series by Nigel Cawthorne:

Sex Lives of the Popes

Sex Lives of the U.S. Presidents

Sex Lives of the Great Dictators

All published by Prion.

This edition published in Great Britain in 2012 by

Prion Books
an imprint of the
Carlton Publishing Group
20 Mortimer Street
London W1T 3JW

First published in 1994.
Revised editions published in 1996 and 2004.

Text copyright 1994, 1996, 2004, 2012 Carlton Books Ltd
Layout and design copyright 1994, 1996, 2004, 2012 Carlton Books Ltd

The right of Nigel Cawthorne to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with the copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1998.

All rights reserved. This book is sold subject to the condition that it may not be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the Publishers prior consent.

A catalogue record of this book is available from the British Library.

ISBN: 978 1 85375 853 9
eISBN: 978 1 78013 112 2

Printed and bound by CPI Group (UK) Ltd, Croydon, CR0 4YY

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CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

R ecently, much criticism has been levelled at the press for intruding on the private lives of the royal family. But there is nothing new about this. People have always been fascinated by the sexual behaviour of kings and queens, princes and princesses. In its most innocent guise, this interest is the stuff of fairytales. A more explicit form manifests itself in ancient ballads, pamphlets and scandal sheets. Today, the tabloids provide the most common outlet.

But there is more to this fascination with royal sexual antics than mere prurience. Throughout history the sleeping partners of a reigning monarch could be a matter of life or death. Political alliances were often based on royal marriages, so the success of a marital relationship could vitally affect both the foreign policy and the welfare of the country. The siring of an heir to the throne could make the difference between a period of political stability and a civil war. From the time of James II up to the birth of Princess Margaret, at least one member of the government and sometimes the entire Privy Council, along with the Archbishop of Canterbury and other dignitaries had to witness the birth of a royal child. This was to establish beyond doubt the maternity of the new heir. Questions over a royal childs paternity could lead to a political intrigue or war.

The sexual incompatibility of a royal couple could turn a united court and government into warring factions. Sexual infidelity has led to cabals and conspiracies. Royal divorces have created huge upheavals and royal mistresses have often been cultivated by political parties and foreign powers for their influence between the sheets. Willing sexual partners with particular charms or talents have often been introduced into the monarchs circle by those seeking political power.

Even though the British royal family no longer enjoys the power it once did, the sexual behaviour of its members is still of legitimate interest to the nation. Gross sexual misconduct by any of them could seriously undermine the position of the monarchy.

In particular, marital problems between the Prince and Princess of Wales could have devastating political consequences. As it is, Diana had to be certified a virgin before she could marry the heir to the throne. If she has lovers, both she and her paramours are technically committing treason.

The Queen is the head of the Church of England, which does not condone any sort of sexual impropriety. Charles will inherit this position and, as first family, the royals should be above reproach. They are the very symbol of our country; their sexual behaviour reflects on us all. So it is valid to ask what sort of family they are.

Occupying centre stage, monarchs have always had more sexual opportunities than the rest of us. They have power, which as Henry Kissinger once remarked is the ultimate aphrodisiac. Traditionally, we allow our rulers certain sexual privileges. Commoners are usually eager to submit themselves to the monarchs whims. Husbands and wives often consent and even collude when their spouse is involved with a royal. George Keppel, for example, thought that it was his patriotic duty to accommodate his wifes affair with Edward VII. He felt honoured by it and was genuinely upset when the King died.

There is certainly nothing unique about the behaviour of the British royal family. Monarchs the world over as well as those in ancient and in primitive cultures have conducted themselves equally badly. Catherine the Great of Russia, the kings of Bavaria and the emperors of ancient Rome were fabled for their excesses though the tale that Catherine the Great died during a sex act with a horse, crushed when the crane supporting the poor animal broke, is probably apocryphal. Cleopatra was a victim of her own sexual allure, while Solomon, according to the Book of Kings, loved many strange women. The emperors of China and Arabian potentates once boasted hundreds of concubines. Even today, the current King of Lesotho has several hundred wives to satisfy. How does he cope?

But are these royal sexual appetites the result of normal healthy desires given full rein by the monarchys unlimited power? Or do they stem from the publics expectations?

Some figures of authority seem to revel in the sexual subjugation of their underlings. They govern by dominating those closest to the seat of power, by seducing them or their wives, or else by instigating impossibly high codes of morality in order to deny them sex. The Reverend Jim Jones and Charles Manson both used sex to inspire such loyalty in their followers that they were willing to commit suicide or murder upon command. In The Naked Ape, zoologist Desmond Morris also pointed out that, in colonies of apes, powerful individuals maintain their position by sexually subjugating the weaker ones.

The indiscretions of the royal family were the very basis of the scandal sheets, which were the forerunners of todays newspapers. But although readers have always craved this titillating diet, modern newspapers have often turned a blind eye to the royals sexual excesses.

The behaviour of the present royal family and the current media reaction towards it cannot simply be judged by contemporary standards. It must be seen in the broad historical context of the dynasties which have ruled over us for centuries. After all, it is by tracing their lineage back through the ancient kings and queens of Britain, France and Germany that the present royal family claim their right to reign over us.

Back in the mists of legend, the peace of King Arthurs fabled Camelot was shattered when Lancelot stole the affections of Guinevere. Arthur himself was killed by the son of his incestuous union with his sister, the enchantress Morgan le Fay, and the country was in turmoil for centuries afterwards.

Although subsequent kings, by and large, avoided incest, most fathered illegitimate offspring. These were useful as loyal lieutenants and as marriage fodder for cementing alliances. King Ida, who reigned from 547 to 599, sired twelve bastard sons. Ethelfrith, 592616, had five and Oswiu, 641670, just one; illegitimate daughters, in those days, were not counted.