The House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha was a European royal dynasty that originated in the early 19th century. It was established when Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha married Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom in 1840. The family played a significant role in European politics and royal connections, influencing various monarchies across the continent. The dynasty's name was used until World War I, when anti-German sentiment led King George V of the United Kingdom to change the family name to the House of Windsor in 1917. This change marked a shift in royal identity during a time of national crisis.