Royalty has always had a taste for excess, but some rulers took things to levels that defy reason. Their fascinations shaped their courts, influenced their decisions, and left behind some of history’s strangest legacies.
From a king who wouldn’t bathe to a queen obsessed with corpses, their fixations went far beyond the usual royal extravagance. Here’s a look at the weirdest royal obsessions ever recorded.
Caligula (1st Century AD) – His horse
Caligula ruled as emperor of Rome from AD 37 to 41 and had an extraordinary affection for his horse, Incitatus. He had a marble stable, a gold-trimmed harness, and a dedicated care team.
There are claims that Caligula even intended to appoint Incitatus as consul, a move seen as a mockery of the Roman aristocracy.
Joanna of Castile (16th Century) – Husband’s corpse
Joanna of Castile, who ruled in the early 1500s, couldn’t let go of her husband—literally. After Philip the Handsome died in 1506, she traveled with his corpse for months, refusing to bury him.
She supposedly kept the casket nearby at all times and even kissed his body. Her obsession with his remains earned her the nickname “Joanna the Mad.”
King George III of the United Kingdom (18th Century) – Farming
King George III ruled Britain from 1760 to 1820. His obsession with farming significantly influenced policies that modernized British agriculture. While other rulers focused on expanding their empires, George focused on soil quality, livestock breeding, experimenting with new crops, and teaching his advisors.
While it seemed unusual for a king to prioritize manure over military strategy, Farmer George embraced his passion.
Emperor Rudolf II (16th Century) – Alchemy and occult
Rudolf II ruled from 1576 to 1612 and was obsessed with alchemy, astrology, and the occult. He funded bizarre experiments, collected magical artifacts, and surrounded himself with astrologers.
Most notably, Rudolf was known for trying to turn lead into gold and trying to uncover the secret to eternal life. Unfortunately, his empire descended into chaos, and his experiments made Prague a center for weird science.
King Ludwig II of Bavaria (19th Century) – Constructing castles
Ludwig II of Bavaria, king from 1864 to 1886, didn’t care much for ruling and poured his fortune into extravagant palaces like Neuschwanstein, his most famous creation, which inspired Disney.
Unfortunately, Ludwig was eventually declared insane because of his spending, and he later died under strange circumstances. His castles are still some of Germany’s most famous tourist attractions today.
Friedrich Wilhelm I of Prussia (18th Century) – Tall soldiers
Friedrich Wilhelm I was king of Prussia from 1713 to 1740. He spent years assembling an army of really tall soldiers.
He formed the “Potsdam Giants” with soldiers over six feet tall. These soldiers were often taken against their will, and they were treated like prized possessions. Oddly, he never used them for war—they were solely for show.
Ivan the Terrible (16th Century) – Torturing animals
Ivan the Terrible was a feared and unpredictable monarch (1547–1584) whose cruelty started from an extremely young age. Historical accounts indicate that Ivan maimed birds and threw dogs from rooftops in Russia.
Ivan was well-known for brutal violence against people. Historians often point out that his earlier obsessions should have been a warning sign of what followed.
Peter III of Russia (18th Century) – Toy soldiers
Peter III ruled Russia in 1762 before his wife, Catherine the Great, led a coup to overthrow him. Peter was known for his obsession with toy soldiers. He would spend hours marching his toy soldiers around, barking orders, and treating them like a real army.
He was considered an embarrassment to the court, and six months into his ruling, Catherine took the throne.
Fyodor I of Russia (16th Century) – Church bells
Fyodor I ruled Russia from 1584 to 1598 and was obsessed with church bells. He spent hours ringing them and even traveled to hear different ones.
His fascination with religion and bells led to others running the government for him. After his death, his weak rule led to a crisis that ended his family’s dynasty.
Vlad the Impaler (15th Century) – Impaling enemies
Vlad the Impaler ruled Wallachia in the 1400s with absolute terror. He was known for taking punishment to extreme levels by impaling people.
He impaled criminals, political enemies, and invading armies, leaving forests lined with corpses to serve as a warning to others. His acts were brutal, and his legacy inspired the legend of Dracula.
Emperor Qin Shi Huang (3rd Century BC) – Immortality elixirs
Qin Shi Huang was the first Chinese emperor from 221 to 210 BC. He was afraid of death and became obsessed with immortality. Expeditions were sent to search for magical elixirs to extend his life. Ironically, the toxic “cure” likely killed him.
His obsession led to the Great Wall and his massive tomb, filled with thousands of life-sized Terracotta Warriors.
Princess Alexandra of Bavaria (19th Century) – Glass delusion
Princess Alexandra of Bavaria (1826–1875) believed a giant glass piano was stuck inside her and that she could break at any moment. Glass delusion is a rare psychological condition seen in only a few nobles.
Princess Alexandra feared breaking and avoided sudden movements to protect herself. Because of this condition, she led a quiet life, pursuing writing and translation.
Napoleon Bonaparte (19th Century) – Licorice
Napoleon Bonaparte was a French ruler in the early 1800s known for his obsession with conquering Europe. He was also addicted to licorice. He chewed it constantly, believing it would help with digestive issues and stress.
He even had a solid supply during military campaigns. The licorice eventually stained Napoleon’s teeth black and caused other health issues, but he never quit.
King Philip V of Spain (18th Century) – Avoiding hygiene
King Philip V of Spain, who ruled from 1700 to 1746, was known for lacking personal hygiene. He believed water could make him sick, so he went months, even years, without washing.
His court had to endure the smell, and servants sometimes had to cut filth off his skin. King Philip’s hygiene obsession was tied to his declining mental health, which worsened over time.
Empress Anna of Russia (18th Century) – Humiliating nobles
Anna of Russia (1730–1740) wasn’t just a ruler—she was a bully. She delighted in humiliating nobles, making them dress as jesters or perform ridiculous stunts.
One of her worst pranks was forcing an aristocratic couple to marry in an ice palace during a brutal Russian winter. Her court lived in fear, knowing that they could become the next target at any moment.
