Royal families are often noted for their close-knit relationships, and historically, some have taken this to an extreme level through inbreeding. Among the most notable inbred figures are an ancient Egyptian pharaoh, an emperor of Austria, and a Spanish king.
Starting with Charles II of Spain, born in 1661, he was a member of the infamous Habsburg dynasty. This family was known for their resistance to sharing wealth and power, leading to marriages within the family. His parents were uncle and niece, and his grandmother was also his aunt. Such complex familial ties might have made family gatherings quite awkward.
More details on the conditions these royals faced will be discussed shortly.
Next is Austrian Emperor Ferdinand I, born in 1793 to first cousins, and all his grandparents were related. He also married a distant cousin, Maria Anna of Piedmont-Sardinia.
Finally, there is Pharaoh Tutankhamun of Egypt, born around 1341 BC. He was likely the son of Akhenaten, a pharaoh who married his own sister. Tutankhamun continued this tradition by marrying his sister, but the couple struggled to have children, and two miscarried fetuses were found in his tomb.
Now, let’s examine the significant health issues these royals faced at birth.
Starting with Tutankhamun, he suffered from scoliosis, a condition where the spine curves, which can lead to pain and an uneven posture. He died at 19, and his body showed signs of a clubbed foot, a cleft palate, and a degenerative bone disease.
Ferdinand I was born with hydrocephalus, a condition involving excess fluid around the brain, resulting in a notably large head. As a consequence of inbreeding, he also had speech difficulties and suffered from epilepsy, sometimes even having seizures during significant events like his wedding. Despite these challenges, he lived until 82, passing away in 1875.
Charles II of Spain also experienced epilepsy. He lived with a protruding jaw, known as Habsburg jaw, and faced developmental issues. His autopsy revealed a heart as small as a peppercorn and a blackened testicle.