Who Was the First Monarch in the British Royal Familyにまつわる役立つ知識を分かりやすく発信ます。

It depends on how you define the family. The British royal family name today is Windsor, but that’s only from 1917. Before that, they were Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, and before that, Hanover, and way back, the Stuarts—it’s a tangled chain.

If you trace it far enough, you hit Alfred the Great (Æthelstan’s grandpa), who is often called the first King of the Anglo-Saxons. But Alfred was never ruler of the entire island. His grandson Æthelstan? He was.

The truth is, the British monarchy didn't start with a single coronation. It evolved, like a slow-motion avalanche. You could say the first monarch is whomever you want, depending on the historical lens you pick.

British Monarchy Logo

For a fun party fact, go with Æthelstan: King of the English, 924–939. It’s a great name, and it surprises people. “Wait, not William the Conqueror?” they’ll say. And you can smile like you’ve got a royal secret.

Why does any of this matter?

Because it’s a reminder that history is never as neat as a textbook. There’s no “Start” button on the monarchy. It’s a long, weird, human story—full of battles, marriages, and name changes. That’s what makes it so fascinating.

So next time you see a picture of a king or queen, remember: they’re standing on the shoulders of a guy named Æthelstan, who probably looked nothing like you’d imagine. And that, honestly, is way cooler than a simple answer.