Descendants of Christian IX of Denmark

King Christian IX of Denmark (April 8, 1818 – January 29, 1906), known as the "father-in-law of Europe",^[1] ruled Denmark from 1863 to 1906. He and his queen consort, Louise of Hesse-Kassel (September 7, 1817 – September 29, 1898), became the ancestors of many members of European royalty.

In 1842, prior to becoming King of Denmark, Christian married Louise, whose familial connections allowed him to secure his status as the heir to the Danish throne in 1852. Christian and Louise had three sons and three daughters together, and the couple actively involved themselves in their children's education because of their limited finances. Although Christian had an affectionate relationship with his daughters, he rejected his eldest son, Frederick, over political differences.

After the commencement of Christian's reign as King of Denmark, his popularity gradually improved among his subjects, partially because of Louise's efforts to marry their children with members of royal families across Europe, including their daughter Princess Alexandra with Albert Edward, Prince of Wales (later Edward VII) and their daughter Princess Dagmar with Alexander, Tsarevich of Russia (later Alexander III).

All of Christian and Louise's six children would go on to have progeny of their own. In addition, some of Christian and Louise's extended descendants would rule as monarchs themselves in European countries. For example, Christian and Louise's grandsons Constantine I, Nicholas II, and George V reigned over Greece, Russia, and the United Kingdom, respectively.