For much of royal history, Kings literally ruled. And a King’s primary job description was to ensure peace and prosperity at home, protect against enemies abroad, and secure the succession. Be a judge, be a soldier, be a dad. A King’s success was typically judged against these criteria, at least through the Middle Ages and into the sixteenth and seventeenth century. Then Queens took the throne, which shifted the focus on family roles somewhat. Parliament began to take more control. A constitutional monarchy emerged. Still, the focus on fathers continued well into the 20th century.

We’re going to take a look at five royal fathers: Henry II, Edward III, Henry VIII, Prince Albert, and George VI. For all, we’ll be considering this well-known question: Does father know best?

We start with a first and a second: first Plantagenet King and second husband of Eleanor of Aquitaine, Henry II. Henry produced many sons and created a dynasty. Not a bad start.

And now on to Edward III. Edward and Philippa produced 13 children, 9 of whom lived to adulthood. He had an impressive five sons, although the descendants' behavior implies that might have been too many.

Next up: Henry VIII, one of the most famous…and infamous…royal fathers. The obsession of his life and his reign was laser focused on the goal of producing a son. So after all that effort to finally have a son, what kind of father was he?

Our next royal father was never King himself, but he was father of a King and some Queens, and grandfather of many royals all across Europe. I’m speaking of Prince Albert, the consort of Queen Victoria.

Our final father is quite recent: George VI, the father of the current Queen. It’s easy to see how George VI’s dedication to his family benefitted his daughters and his nation.

History shows us what's possible.