Top 10 Historical Royal Women Who Deserve Their Own Show

The messy marriages of Henry VIII are famous, but Catherine Howard, fifth and youngest of his wives, has often been treated like a footnote in the saga. Catherine is generally remembered as the pretty bimbo, who was dumb enough to have an affair, and lost her head as a result. But there’s more to explore in her story. Catherine became sexually active at a young age in an event that may not have been consensual, and spent her entire life being controlled by the various men around her. Even her relationship with Thomas Culpeper, which she died for, may have been more coercion than passion. Catherine was a vivacious young woman desperate for agency, and we owe her a closer look.

Between backing Columbus and that whole Spanish Inquisition thing, Isabella has a lot to answer for. But that doesn’t make her any less fascinating. Raised in financially insecure isolation with a mother who battled depression, Isabella’s stressful youth was punctuated by her older half brother using her as a pawn to strengthen his grip on power. Still, Isabella managed to secretly broker her own marriage to Ferdinand of Aragon, and later pressed her claim on the throne in a bloody succession war. For better or worse, she would become one of the most influential rulers in Spanish history. Isabella is a dynamic, complicated figure, and the story of how she became the woman we know is one with all kinds of dramatic potential.

Eleanor would be a hellraiser by the standards of the modern world, let alone in her own time. She started with lands and titles all her own before marrying Louis VII, future King of France, whom she later ditched for Henry II, future King of England. In between, she took some time to ride at the head of the French Crusade forces. Her marriage with Henry was...tumultuous to say the least, and bottomed out when she was accused of trying to help their sons overthrow him. But Eleanor would survive the fallout, and her husband, and exercise political influence in England for years to come. Fiery, brilliant, and way ahead of her time, Eleanor was a modern heroine who lived in a Medieval world. Sounds like TV gold.

There’s queen, and then there’s PIRATE queen; that’s next level cool. Grace O’Malley was technically a chieftain, but the point stands. As the head of the most powerful seafaring clan in Ireland, O’Malley would grow her own wealth and political influence by squaring off against rival clans and plundering merchant vessels. However, Grace’s greatest legacy was as a rebel. In the face of the ever-increasing English threats to her rights and property, Grace led her fleet against the foreign usurpers and their local allies. Eventually, she even sailed to England and demanded a face to face with Queen Elizabeth I. Which she received. Grace’s incredible life story screams for a TV show, but that scene especially, that we’re dying to see.

Long before Grace Kelly, there was Theodora. Born to a showbiz family, Theodora was a teenage stage star before leaving home for a series of misadventures. When she landed in Constantinople, she caught the eye of Justinian, heir to the Emperor, who was so smitten by Theodora that he had the law changed so that he could marry her in spite of her unconventional background. It was the smartest thing he ever did. Not only did Theodora save his throne during the Nika Riots, but she co-governed with Justinian so effectively that many people considered Theodora the actual ruler of the empire. She also championed women’s rights and, under her influence, Justinian passed laws to promote them. Theodora is the heroine we need.

Historically overshadowed by Catherine the Great, it’s high time that Russia’s first Catherine got the recognition she deserves. It’s the best Cinderella story you’ve never heard. Catherine was born a peasant, raised as a maid, and ended up in the household of a Russian nobleman and friend of some guy named...Peter the Great. Not only did Catherine and Peter fall truly and passionately in love, but Peter would eventually marry Catherine, elevating a commoner to Empress, and treating her as his co-regent. Which she rocked at. When Peter died it was Catherine who succeeded him, starting an era in Russian history dominated by kick-ass women, and using her position to work for the common people. Now that’s worthy of the term Great!

Cixi entered the Chinese royal family in a system that gave little power to women, and wound up running the entire show. Though she started in the sixth tier of the Xianfeng Emperor’s consorts, through a combination of luck and wits she gradually worked her way up to rank second only to the Empress. On the way, Cixi became a self-taught master political strategist, and when the Emperor died was quick to propose a joint regency arrangement between the two women. After a time, though, Cixi consolidated her own power and became the de facto ruler of China, a position she held onto until the end of her life. Her legacy itself might be a source of debate, but no one can argue that her story isn’t incredible.

Nothing about Nzinga was typical, not the comprehensive education she was given, and not the way she wielded it to help her country. When her brother’s military efforts failed against the Portuguese invaders, Nzinga’s considerable diplomatic acumen ensured Ndongo’s sovereignty and independence. It was a harbinger of things to come. Nzinga succeeded her brother to the throne, and she would spend the rest of her life balancing diplomatic relationships with European colonizers, and leading her forces in combat when more aggressive negotiations were called for. Her strength and skill were credited as the foundation by which Angola continued to resist colonialism even into the twentieth century. She’s a national hero to her own people, and definitely deserves to become a hero to the world.

Hawaii is a paradise with a turbulent past. The daughter of a native princess and a Scottish businessman, Ka’iulani personified the contrasting elements struggling for control of the isles at the turn of the twentieth century. When American corporate interests threatened their sovereignty, she used her unique position as the bridge between worlds to fight for her homeland. While her equally impressive aunt, Queen Liliuokalani, fought for the rights of the Hawaiian people from Iolani Palace, Ka’iulani took their case to the American people, even meeting with President Grover Cleveland. Unfortunately, it was a lost cause, and Ka’iulani would tragically pass away soon after Hawaii’s annexation by the U.S.A, but her strength continues to be an inspiration.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Archduchess Maria Christina & Princess Isabella of Parma; Holy Roman Empire
Marry the Heir, Fall in Love With His Sister; The Star-Crossed LGBTQ Romance We Need

Margaret Beaufort (1441/1443-1509); England
A Player & Winner in the Real Life Game of Thrones

Hatshepsut (1507–1458 BCE); Egypt
Her Legacy Remained Even After Her Successors Tried to Erase Her

Amina (Died 1610); Modern Day Nigeria
She Made Her Name as a Fierce Cavalry Warrior & Became a Mighty Conqueror

We know what you’re thinking: Cleopatra has never lacked attention. But Egypt’s most famous ruler has never been given a portrayal that’s truly worthy of her. Far from just a simmering sexpot with famous boyfriends, Cleopatra was highly educated, and a savvy politician with Egypt’s interests at heart. She honed her skills on the way to the throne in a family with a habit of betraying and murdering each other - and then used her brains and, yes, her relationships to stave off Roman domination of her Kingdom. Even at the bitter end, Cleopatra made sure she went out on her own terms. Her name is known around the world; it’s time that a story did justice to the woman she was.