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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Lifestyle

Was the interbreeding of Europe’s royal families dangerous, genetically speaking?

Happy family … Franz Xaver Winterhalter's portrait of Queen Victoria with her husband (and first cou
Happy family … Franz Xaver Winterhalter’s portrait of Queen Victoria with her husband (and first cousin) Prince Albert and their children. Photograph: Ian Nicholson/PA

Until recently, the predominant European royal families felt compelled to maintain their primacy by marrying relatives such as first and second cousins. Is this form of inbreeding not, genetically speaking, a bit dodgy?

Paul Gribbin, London SW11

• Post your answers – and new questions – below or email them to nq@theguardian.com. Please include name, address and phone number

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