Elizabeth and Isabella

Two women who were both born third in line to their country's thrones mark their birthdays today. Both bear a version of a name that has been used for royal women for centuries.  And both share a common ancestor or two, claiming descent from both Queen Victoria and King Christian IX of Denmark.  But life is very different for the two royals marking birthdays today.  Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Isabella of Denmark were born 81 years apart with very different futures beckoning them.

Queen Elizabeth II celebrates her 88th birthday on April 21st 2014

Elizabeth Alexandra Mary found herself heiress to the throne after the beautiful uncle who was the great hope of the monarchy on the day of her birth abdicated when she was just 9 years old.  Isabella Henrietta Ingrid Margrethe waits behind her father and brother in line for her country's throne and will only see her place in the succession move her further away from the crown as she gets older.  

Princess Isabella of Denmark in a photo taken by her mother, Crown Princess Mary, to mark her sixth birthday. There were no official photos for her seventh birthday

But their names share the same roots with Elizabeth the very English version of the French Isabelle or Isabeau that translated into the Italian and Spanish Isabella.  And they share another honour - both were first granddaughters for monarchs who found themselves all but surrounded by princes in their palaces.  A similar name, the same birthday but very different destinies.