tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8783969302315257415.post5260820698787668859..comments2024-03-16T01:00:19.876-05:00Comments on The Mad Monarchist: WW2: Fate of MonarchiesMadMonarchisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08083008336883267870noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8783969302315257415.post-44398018425444149442009-12-09T21:14:47.307-06:002009-12-09T21:14:47.307-06:00Yes, I've also heard the star of Davis story i...Yes, I've also heard the star of Davis story is untrue but there was also a fairly extensive campaign (secretly) to smuggle Jews to Sweden. King Christian was essential just as a symbol in keeping Danish hopes alive. It gave them courage to see him continue his routine regardless of the German occupation. The Nazis were also extremely annoyed with him and his subtle opposition.<br /><br />King Leopold III, and to a degree Belgium as a whole, really suffered a betrayal at the hands of their Allies. You hate to cast stones but when the King is slandered I cannot help but point out that to a large extent the Belgians were sacrificed to buy time and all but abandoned. When they finally had to surrender the King was insulted for not going into exile or fighting to the death. Unfortunately he was not the only monarch, on the Allied side, betrayed by the other Allied powers.MadMonarchisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08083008336883267870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8783969302315257415.post-26184242976184496032009-12-09T20:47:27.373-06:002009-12-09T20:47:27.373-06:00My understanding is that one allegation often made...My understanding is that one allegation often made about Christian X - namely that he ordered Danish Gentiles to wear Stars of David in protest against Nazi persecution of Danish Jews - is in fact false, and was indeed denied by Queen Margarethe not all that long ago. Still, it's notable that so many people should have <i>wanted</i> to believe it; and not even the most perfervid Danish republican seems to question King Christian's patriotic pride during WW2. <br /><br />Some years back I read Roger Keyes' vindication of Belgium's Leopold III (<i>Outrageous Fortune</i>) and found it most instructive. Given the ineptitude of French Prime Minister Paul Reynaud at the start of the war (an ineptitude aggravated by the antics of his horrid mistress), most people would regard being calumniated by Reynaud as a tribute to their integrity. But as G. K. Chesterton said in another context: "The truth is always half an hour behind the slander."R Jhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17624645479033609279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8783969302315257415.post-44740719732293732052009-12-08T09:55:10.880-06:002009-12-08T09:55:10.880-06:00Denmark was supposed to be the Germans' "...Denmark was supposed to be the Germans' "ideal" protectorate but of course things did not always go as smoothly as they hoped. King Christian X was most known for his solitary rides through town which greatly alarmed the Germans when they became occasions for great displays of support for the monarchy. He was an admirable figure.<br /><br />I continue to be baffled by the treatment of King Leopold III, especially considering the uniquely difficult position he was in; not only enduring the occupation of his country, some violations by the Allies as well, but also having to deal with native enemies. All countries had their own 'Quislings' but he had to deal with Flemish Nazis who wanted incorporation into a 'Greater Netherlands' on one hand, pro-Nazi elements of the Rexists on the other and German Nazis who wanted to solve all of that by absorbing all of Belgium into Nazi Germany. Few if any other leaders had to deal with the situation he had to deal with. Alot of people also tend to ignore the fact that no one had a crystal ball to know which side would win and leaders on the ground at the time had to deal with circumstances as they arose.MadMonarchisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08083008336883267870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8783969302315257415.post-33924797894005526102009-12-08T09:32:34.897-06:002009-12-08T09:32:34.897-06:00A helpful rundown. I'll have to find out more ...A helpful rundown. I'll have to find out more about Christian X. Interesting how he remained in Denmark and so forth (and I believe the government did, too), yet was never accused of collaboration and treason like poor Leopold III. <br /><br />Leopold III, of course, as a prisoner of war, was in the "impossibility of reigning" during the occupation. Nonetheless, it's true the country remained, constitutionally, a monarchy and the Germans never abolished this.Mayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18230268418171628594noreply@blogger.com