15 Royal Children With Strange Fates

Here's a collection of 15 royal children whose lives ended in mystery, tragedy, or unexpected turns, revealing the unpredictable fate of monarchy’s heirs.

Alyana Aguja
November 3, 2025
5 min read

15 Royal Children With Strange Fates — Paweł Furman from Unsplash

History remembers kings and queens, but the lives of royal children often held stranger fates. Some died young in mysterious or tragic circumstances, while others grew up in exile, forgotten by the crowns that once awaited them. Their stories remind us that royal birth was never a guarantee of safety or happiness, but often a path marked by uncertainty.

1. 1. Prince John of the United Kingdom (1905–1919)

The youngest son of King George V and Queen Mary, Prince John was hidden away from public view due to his severe epilepsy and learning disabilities. He lived most of his short life in seclusion at Sandringham, cared for by devoted staff. He died at just 13, largely unknown to the world until years later.

2. 2. Prince Rudolf of Austria (1858–1889)

The only son of Emperor Franz Joseph I and Empress Elisabeth, Rudolf was heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne. His life ended mysteriously at Mayerling in what was declared a suicide pact with his mistress, Baroness Mary Vetsera. His tragic death left the empire shaken and destabilized the succession.

3. 3. Princess Anastasia Romanov of Russia (1901–1918)

The youngest daughter of Tsar Nicholas II, Anastasia was executed with her family during the Russian Revolution. For decades, impostors claimed to be her, fueling rumors that she had escaped. Her true fate was only confirmed in the 2000s through DNA evidence.

4. 4. Louis XVII of France (1785–1795)

The son of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette was declared king by royalists after his father’s execution. Imprisoned in the Temple, he suffered neglect and died at the age of 10. For decades, rumors of his escape persisted, inspiring numerous impostors.

5. 5. Princess Kaʻiulani of Hawaii (1875–1899)

Daughter of Archibald Cleghorn and Princess Miriam Likelike, Kaʻiulani was heir to the Hawaiian throne. She was educated in Europe but returned home only to see her kingdom overthrown by the United States. She died tragically young at 23, a symbol of Hawaii’s lost sovereignty.

6. 6. Edward V of England (1470–1483?)

One of the “Princes in the Tower,” Edward V was only 12 when he and his younger brother disappeared after being confined in the Tower of London. Their uncle, Richard III, took the throne shortly after. The boys were never seen again, and their fate remains one of history’s greatest mysteries.

7. 7. Prince Dipendra of Nepal (1971–2001)

Crown Prince Dipendra shocked the world when he murdered nine members of the royal family, including his parents, before turning the gun on himself. He was briefly declared king while in a coma but died three days later. His actions ended centuries of monarchy in Nepal.

8. 8. Prince Gustav of Sweden (1799–1877)

The son of deposed King Gustav IV Adolf, Gustav was forced into exile as a child. He spent most of his life in Switzerland, disconnected from the throne that might have been his. His strange fate was to live as a royal without a kingdom.

9. 9. Princess Margaret of Connaught (1882–1920)

Granddaughter of Queen Victoria, Margaret married into Swedish royalty and became Crown Princess of Sweden. Her life ended suddenly during surgery at the age of 38. Her unexpected death shocked Europe, as she was widely beloved and destined to be queen.

10. 10. Prince Arthur of England (1486–1502)

The eldest son of Henry VII, Arthur was meant to unify England and Spain through his marriage to Catherine of Aragon. He died suddenly at 15, leaving the throne to his younger brother, who became Henry VIII. Arthur’s death altered the course of English history.

11. 11. Princess Charlotte of Wales (1796–1817)

As the only legitimate child of George IV, Charlotte was seen as the future of the British monarchy. She died in childbirth at just 21, along with her stillborn son. Her death plunged the nation into mourning and led to a succession crisis.

12. 12. Alfonso, Prince of Asturias (1907–1938)

The eldest son of King Alfonso XIII of Spain, Alfonso was heir to the throne but struggled with hemophilia. After his father’s exile, he renounced his right to marry a commoner. He died young in a car accident in Miami, far from the Spanish crown.

13. 13. Prince Wilhelm of Prussia (1906–1940)

Grandson of Kaiser Wilhelm II, Prince Wilhelm was part of Germany’s fallen imperial dynasty. He served in the army during World War II but died from wounds sustained in battle. His funeral drew huge crowds, alarming the Nazi regime, which then restricted royal activities.

14. 14. Princess Alice of Battenberg (1885–1969)

Born deaf, Alice overcame challenges and married Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark. She lived through exile, war, and personal struggles, even founding a religious order. She later became known as the mother of Prince Philip, consort to Queen Elizabeth II, after a life full of twists.

15. 15. Crown Prince Sado of Korea (1735–1762)

The son of King Yeongjo, Sado suffered from mental illness and violent behavior. His father ultimately ordered him to be confined in a rice chest, where he died after eight days. His death remains one of Korea’s most infamous royal tragedies.