Through most of history, Kings selected wives for their royal blood and political significance. Women they actually liked and were attracted to were relegated to being mere mistresses. These women were usually local aristocrats or even commoners who would not be considered contenders to be consort. The majority of monarchs had mistresses and their wives usually looked the other way, safe in the knowledge that their place as Queen could never be usurped. But a number of royal courtesan did come to wield great power. And on a few, incredibly rare occasions the stars to aligned to put the King’s lover on the throne. Let’s meet 8 royal mistresses who successfully became Queens.

Inês de Castro Posthumous Queen of Portugal

Christina Abrahamsdotter, Queen of Sweden

Anne Boleyn, Queen of England

Jane Seymour, Queen of England

Catherine Howard, Queen of England

Karin Månsdotter, Queen of Sweden

Catherine I, Empress of Russia

Camilla Shand, Queen of the UK & Commonwealth Realms

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Intro Music: Baroque Coffee House by Doug Maxwell

Music: Butterflies in Love by Sir Cubworth

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