Royal Marriages That Went Horribly Wrong

Although they may seem like a different breed, the truth is that royals are just as prone to drama as the rest of us. As such, there's no shortage of disastrous royal marriages to be found in the annals of history. Here are some of the very worst. Armed with a top-notch education and a humongous inheritance, Eleanor of Aquitaine was one of the most powerful women of the Middle Ages — and by quite some margin, too. She was first crowned Queen of France after marrying Louis VII, and enjoyed considerable influence over the king. Things weren't exactly rosy between these two lovebirds, though. Simmering resentment, rumors of her infidelity, and the birth of two daughters rather than a male heir led the couple to annul their marriage in 1152. They cited "consanguinity" as the reason — that is, the fact that they were third cousins, once removed. But consanguinity didn't stop Eleanor from marrying another, more closely related third cousin just two months later. Her second husband, Henry of Anjou, later became King Henry II of England. Over nearly two decades, Eleanor played an active role in ruling Henry's empire… while birthing five sons and three daughters along the way. But they weren't exactly a happy family, either. In 1173, two of Eleanor's sons involved her in a plot against Henry, and she willingly offered them no small amount of military support. Some historians even wonder if Eleanor instigated the revolt herself as vengeance against her husband's infidelities. Either way, Henry II soon found out about the plot and imprisoned Eleanor for 16 years. She was freed after Henry's death in 1189, but ultimately couldn't escape her husband: Upon her death in 1204, she was buried next to him in France's Fontevraud Abbey. Watch the video for more Royal Marriages That Went Horribly Wrong! #RoyalFamily #Marriage #Royals Eleanor's conquests | 0:00 The She-Wolf of France | 1:43 Henry's wives | 3:11 The Princess of Ahlden | 4:46 The rise of Catherine the Great | 5:39 George vs. Caroline | 7:01 Ducky and Hesse | 8:20 Royal affairs | 9:30 The People's Princess | 10:58