In the early 18th century, what strange twist of fate caused the current line of the British royal family to rule today?

Zbeckabee

Because she died without surviving children, Anne was the last monarch of the House of Stuart. She was succeeded by her second cousin, George I, of the House of Hanover, who was a descendant of the Stuarts through his maternal grandmother, Elizabeth, daughter of James VI & I. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anne_of_Great_Britain King George I -- Relation to Elizabeth II: 6th great-grandfather http://www.britroyals.com/kings.asp?id=george1 Jul 18 10, 6:26 PM

star_gazer

The "twist of fate" is that sadly Queen Anne had one son who lived to be eleven, five children who died as babies, and eight still borns and five miscarriges. She gave birth 19 times and did not produce a single heir. At her death, the crown passed to her second cousin George I. Name Birth Death Mary 2 June 1685 8 February 1687 Anne Sophia 12 May 1686 2 February 1687 William, Duke of Gloucester 24 July 1689 29 July 1700 Mary 14 October 1690 14 October 1690 George 17 April 1692 17 April 1692 Charles 15 September 1698 15 September 1698 In addition, there were eight still-born children and four miscarriages. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anne_of_Great_Britain#Issue Jul 18 10, 7:24 PM