Defected and Mutated: 16 Royals Who Fell Victim to Inbreeding
For as long as humans have existed, The Royal families have married their biological relatives to keep their bloodline pure. This practice all marrying a closed biological relative is known as inbreeding. While the idea of marrying a close relative seems just fine on paper, the effects can be quite profound.
Inbreeding can lead to mutations, diseases and defects in the posterity as reported by modern Biological Sciences. for this reason, there have been cases of mutation and defections in Royal families and the dynasties throughout the human history. This necessitates a closer look at those cases of mutations and defections within the Royals. Poignantly enough, historians are also of the view that inbreeding amongst the Royal families was a major cause behind World War I. All that being said, we has compiled a list of 16 royals who fell victim to inbreeding and as a result who were born defected and mutated.
King Charles II of Spain (Speech Disorder)
It is no myth that the Hapsburg Empire Was one of the most powerful empire in Europe. This signifies that the Hapsburg dynasty was at the pinnacle of power in Europe. The dynasty came into power around 13th century and went on to rule the area which now constitute Austria, Hungary amongst others. it was home to the holy Roman Empire as well.
In spite of all the power they enjoyed, the Hapsburg family fell victim to inbreeding please stop the effects of inbreeding were so permeating that it led to the fall of the family as well. To visualize the extent of inbreeding, let us tell you one important thing: Joanna de Castile appears approximately 14 times in the family tree. This over-inbreeding led to a trait developed in the Hapsburg which was the famous “Hapsburg Jawline”. Not to mention, they were marked by a relatively bigger tongue which was evident by a certain speech disorder amongst the members.
The Speech disorder was most evident in the King Charles II. Scientists have approximated the extent of his inbreeding which came out to be more than what is between the siblings. As a result, he possessed a big jawline and a fat tongue which posed a difficulty in speaking—so much that he could “barely speak” anything. Moreover, this inbreeding led to impotency in the King. When he died at the middle age of 39 years, he had no heir to claim the throne. The Hapsburg dynasty breathed its last when King Charles II breathed his last!