One of the common terms used to describe members of royalty is Royal Blood, or sometimes, it’s referred to as Blue Blood.
But what does it mean to have Royal Blood?
What Happens If You Have Royal Blood?
The conventional definition of Royal Blood relates to heritage and bloodline. For example, if a person is born into a royal family, i.e. they are a blood relation of a king, queen, prince, or princess, they are considered to have Royal Blood. This is merely a reference to their bloodline, and doesn’t suggest that the blood of royals is any different to the blood of non-royals.
So, in this instance, having royal blood simply means that you are a blood relative of a member of royalty. As with any family line, there are likely to be degrees of any claims to have Royal Blood.
For example, the son or daughter of a king or queen is perhaps the ultimate example of being born with Royal Blood, especially if both of the parents are of royal heritage. Historically, those within royal and aristocratic circles would aim to secure marriages for their children that upheld this quality of Royal Blood. This is why so many of the great royal dynasties of Europe, for example, would arrange matches between their families.
A classic example of this type of arranged marriage was that of Marie Antoinette, the famous Queen of France who was executed during the French Revolution.
The young Marie Antoinette was born an Austrian archduchess, a high-ranking royal within the legendary Habsburg-Lorraine dynasty. Her marriage to Louis, the French Dauphin, was a high-profile match arranged by two of the most powerful royal families of Europe. This type of union was crucial for both political alliances and the continuation of a regal dynasty through the Royal Blood of their offspring.
This practice of royal families choosing potential marriage partners solely from other royal families was one way to secure the regal lineage of future generations. This regal lineage is what is regarded as Royal Blood.
Beyond the high-profile dynastic marriages, however, royal families have typically been large, with numerous offspring. Clearly, not all of these siblings will be able to secure a powerful match with another royal family. As a result, some royals would go on to marry lower-ranking royals and members of the nobility and aristocracy. This was largely deemed acceptable, as long as the relevant marriage prospects could claim a degree of nobility.
Over time, these unions would affect the degree of Royal Blood that future generations could claim. For example, the further down the family tree from any royal connection, the less Royal Blood a person could claim. However, given the value of any kind of royal connection, particularly in a social strata that deems such lineage of vital importance, it’s become common for those with even the remotest link to reigning sovereigns to claim a degree of Royal Blood.
Due to the nature of genealogy, it’s possible for many ordinary people to trace their ancestry back far enough to find at least some kind of connection to the royals of the ages. How much a person could claim this as evidence of Royal Blood would depend on the nature of the connection and the stature of the individuals involved. For example, a direct descendant of a famous king or queen might be able to make a legitimate claim to a valid royal connection. Whereas someone whose family line is only vaguely linked with lower-ranking royalty would unlikely be regarded as having Royal Blood.
What’s The Difference Between Royal Blood And Blue Blood
The terms Royal Blood and Blue Blood are often used interchangeably to indicate a direct family connection to royalty. However, there is some distinction between the two terms.
Royal Blood, as described, suggests a direct connection – a blood relative – of a member of an established royal family. Blue Blood can often be used to signify the same kind of family heritage, though it is a broader term that may also imply a connection to nobles and aristocrats, and not merely kings, queens, princes, and princesses.
Although nobles and royals have historically moved in the same circles, and the lines between the two have blurred over the centuries as marriages occurred between them, the rank of royalty is distinct and superior to the ranks of the nobility and aristocracy. This means that a person regarded as having Blue Blood may have noble lineage, but would not necessarily be directly connected to a member of royalty.
The definition of Blue Blood has become even more broad in recent times, as it has become widely used to describe those with wealthy or upper-class parents, regardless of royal or noble status. It’s not uncommon for someone to be described as Blue Blood purely as a result of family wealth, rather than royal or noble heritage. Although this usage is not the most accurate definition of Blue Blood, it is suggestive more than literal, and has evolved to be a broader reference than it was in the past.
Is Royal Blood Blue?
The term Blue Blood is a curious one, and it’s understandable why there is often confusion as to the color of the blood of royals and nobles. Although it’s widely regarded as a suggestive term, rather than a literal description of the blood’s color, there have been some historical references that may explain the origin of the term.
Some historians believe that the lifestyles of royals and nobles, in comparison to the lives of peasants and servants, may give rise to an appearance of blue blood. One suggestion is that the paleness of royal skin would reveal the blueness of veins much more than the tanned or weathered skin of peasants and workers who spent more time out of doors.
Another suggestion is that the diets of wealthy royals and aristocrats included far more meat and proteins than those of the average person, which may have given the impression of a richer blood, perhaps more blue due to the higher iron content.
While there may be some truth to these ideas, the general consensus is that the blood of today’s members of royalty is the same color as everybody else’s. So, Blue Blood may no longer be a symbol of social standing. Royal Blood, on the other hand, still plays a significant role in the heritage, history, and social esteem for those born into regal bloodlines.