The House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha is a European royal dynasty that originated in the 19th century. It was established when Prince Albert, a member of the Saxe-Coburg and Gotha family, married Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom in 1840. The family played a significant role in European royalty, with members ascending to thrones in various countries. The dynasty's name comes from two regions in Germany: Saxe and Gotha. Over time, the family's influence spread across Europe, with branches in countries like Belgium, Portugal, and Bulgaria. However, due to anti-German sentiment during World War I, the British royal family changed its name to the House of Windsor in 1917.