House of Oldenburg Facts for Kids

The House of Oldenburg is a very old and important royal family in Europe. Members of this family have been kings and queens in many countries for centuries. Today, you can find Oldenburg family members on the thrones of Denmark and Norway. They are also part of the royal families of the United Kingdom and Greece.

The coat of arms of the House of Oldenburg.

What is a Royal House?
Where Did the Oldenburgs Come From?
Kings and Queens from the House of Oldenburg
The Head of the House Today
Images for kids
See also

What is a Royal House?

A royal "house" or "dynasty" is like a very old family. This family has ruled a country or many countries for a long time. The House of Oldenburg is one of the most famous royal families in Europe. Its members have held power in many different kingdoms.

Where Did the Oldenburgs Come From?

The House of Oldenburg started in a place called Oldenburg. This area is now part of Germany. The family's history goes back to the 12th century. They slowly gained more power and land over hundreds of years.

Kings and Queens from the House of Oldenburg

The Oldenburg family became very powerful in the 15th century. They started ruling countries like Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.

Denmark and Norway

The first Oldenburg king was Christian I of Denmark. He became King of Denmark in 1448. He also became King of Norway and Sweden.
The Oldenburg family has ruled Denmark ever since.
They also ruled Norway for many centuries.
Today, Queen Margrethe II of Denmark is a member of the Oldenburg family. King Harald V of Norway is also from this family.

Sweden

Members of the Oldenburg family also ruled Sweden for some time.
One famous Oldenburg king of Sweden was Gustav III of Sweden. He ruled in the late 1700s.

Other European Royal Families

The House of Oldenburg has many different branches. These branches spread out and connected to other royal families across Europe.

The British Royal Family

The British royal family is also connected to the House of Oldenburg.
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh was a member of the Oldenburg family. He was a Prince of Greece and Denmark before he married Queen Elizabeth II.
His son, King Charles III, and his descendants are also part of this family line.

The Greek Royal Family

The former royal family of Greece is also from the House of Oldenburg.
Former King Constantine II of Greece and his family belong to this house.
His wife, Queen Anne-Marie of Greece, is also an Oldenburg princess from Denmark.

The Russian Imperial Family

A branch of the Oldenburg family also ruled Russia.
They were known as the House of Holstein-Gottorp-Romanov.
Nicholas II of Russia was the last Emperor of Russia. He was also a member of this Oldenburg branch.

The Head of the House Today

The main leader of the House of Oldenburg today is Christoph, Prince of Schleswig-Holstein. He has been the head of the family since 1980.

Images for kids

2 rigsdaler – death of Frederik VII and accession of Christian IX marking the transfer of the throne to the Glucksburg branch of the House of Oldenburg
The first Oldenburg king was Christian I of Denmark, Norway and Sweden (1426–1481)
Sweden's most prominent Oldenburg king was Gustav III (1746–1792)
Frederick Augustus II (1852–1931) was the last ruling Grand Duke of Oldenburg
Nicholas II (1868–1918) was the last Emperor of Russia
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Prince of Greece and Denmark (1921-2021)
Charles, Prince of Wales (*1948)
King Harald V of Norway (*1937)
Queen Margrethe II of Denmark (*1940)
Queen Sofía of Spain, Princess of Greece and Denmark (*1938)
Former King Constantine II (*1940) and Queen Anne-Marie (*1946) of Greece, both Oldenburgs, she being a princess of Denmark
Christoph, Prince of Schleswig-Holstein (*1949), head of the House of Oldenburg since 1980