Father-in-law of Europe

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The sobriquet "Father-in-law of Europe" was carried by two European monarchs in the late 19th and early 20th century: Christian IX of Denmark and Nikola I of Montenegro, both on account of their children's marriages to foreign princes and princesses. The fact that each was a monarch of moderate or modest power and the number of children each had allowed them to marry their children to heirs of greater fortunes across the continent.

Christian IX was the father of:

• Alexandra of Denmark, who married King Edward VII of the United Kingdom
• Frederick VIII of Denmark
  • His son became King Haakon VII of Norway
• George I of Greece
• Dagmar of Denmark, who married Czar Alexander III of Russia
• Thyra of Denmark, who married Ernest Augustus, Crown Prince of Hanover

Nikola I was the father of:

• Elena of Montenegro, who married King Victor Emmanuel III of Italy
• Zorka of Montenegro, who married King Peter I of Serbia
• Anna of Montenegro, who married Prince Francis Joseph of Battenberg
• Two daughters who married brothers:
  • Anastasia of Montenegro, who married Grand Duke Nicholas Nikolaevich of Russia
  • Milica of Montenegro, who married Grand Duke Peter Nikolaevich of Russia