The House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha is a German royal family that originated in the 19th century. It was established when the duchies of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha were united under the rule of Duke Ernst I. The family gained prominence in Europe through strategic marriages, connecting with various royal houses, including the British royal family. In the United Kingdom, the house became particularly significant when Prince Albert, a member of the house, married Queen Victoria. Their descendants, including King Edward VII and King George V, played crucial roles in shaping modern British monarchy. The house was renamed the House of Windsor in 1917 due to anti-German sentiment during World War I.