The triangle has shaped much of history, often not for the good of anyone involved. Wherever love has complicated relationships you can be sure that a three-sided connection is sure to create difficulty, if not mayhem. History is full of prime examples of how two into three doesn't go. Here are some of the most famous from ancient times to more modern.
The trio that wrecked the Roman Republic
Mark Antony, Cleopatra, and Octavia
The last Ptolemaic pharaoh of Egypt, Cleopatra VII, had celebrated romances with both Julius Caesar and his protégé, Mark Antony. But the real love triangle came with her, Antony, and Antony's wife, Octavia, Caesar's great-niece and sister of Antony's archrival Octavian. It was partially over Antony's abandonment of Octavia, some say, that Antony and Octavian (later known as Rome's first emperor, Augustus) went to battle and the Roman Empire was created.
In 40 B.C.E., Octavian and Antony were butting heads as co-rulers of Rome (with Lepidus). To smooth over rough edges between them, Antony married Octavian's sister; a few years later, Octavia even helped bring about a treaty between the two. But this didn't last. Antony went off on a campaign and resumed his affair with Cleopatra, abandoning his wife and their children and arranging for a divorce. But Octavia was no victim, instead emerging as a legitimate political rival to Cleopatra.
Once Antony emerged as Octavian's sole rival for control of all Roman territories, Octavian played up his ex-ally's abandonment of his sister and portrayed him as an un-patriotic opportunist. He used familial marital discord as an excuse to go to war and gain ultimate power over the half of Roman provinces Antony didn't control. Their conflict culminated in the Battle of Actium in 31 B.C.E. between Antony and Octavian's forces, in which the latter defeated the former and made himself master of Rome, once and for all. Hail, Caesar.
Mark Antony, Cleopatra, and Octavia
The last Ptolemaic pharaoh of Egypt, Cleopatra VII, had celebrated romances with both Julius Caesar and his protégé, Mark Antony. But the real love triangle came with her, Antony, and Antony's wife, Octavia, Caesar's great-niece and sister of Antony's archrival Octavian. It was partially over Antony's abandonment of Octavia, some say, that Antony and Octavian (later known as Rome's first emperor, Augustus) went to battle and the Roman Empire was created.
In 40 B.C.E., Octavian and Antony were butting heads as co-rulers of Rome (with Lepidus). To smooth over rough edges between them, Antony married Octavian's sister; a few years later, Octavia even helped bring about a treaty between the two. But this didn't last. Antony went off on a campaign and resumed his affair with Cleopatra, abandoning his wife and their children and arranging for a divorce. But Octavia was no victim, instead emerging as a legitimate political rival to Cleopatra.
Once Antony emerged as Octavian's sole rival for control of all Roman territories, Octavian played up his ex-ally's abandonment of his sister and portrayed him as an un-patriotic opportunist. He used familial marital discord as an excuse to go to war and gain ultimate power over the half of Roman provinces Antony didn't control. Their conflict culminated in the Battle of Actium in 31 B.C.E. between Antony and Octavian's forces, in which the latter defeated the former and made himself master of Rome, once and for all. Hail, Caesar.
The trio of Troy
Helen of Sparta, Menelaus & Paris of Troy
Helen of Sparta (an ancient Greek kingdom) was another gutsy woman who became entangled in a passionate triangle. Said to be extraordinarily beautiful, she was married at 17 to the much older king of Sparta, Menelaus, of whom she was not that fond. So when handsome, young Paris of Troy (in modern day Turkey) showed up and told Helen that she had been promised to him by the Gods, young Helen was immediately interested.
As soon as her husband left town, the two escaped to Troy, where they lived happily until the day a very tetchy Menelaus came to retrieve Helen, accompanied by a sizeable army.
Soon Troy was engaged in a brutal war with Sparta that lasted ten years. Helen of Troy, as she will forever be known, is pretty much universally blamed for the conflict and the horrendous loss of life, but some historians say she really didn’t care because she got her man.
Helen of Sparta, Menelaus & Paris of Troy
Helen of Sparta (an ancient Greek kingdom) was another gutsy woman who became entangled in a passionate triangle. Said to be extraordinarily beautiful, she was married at 17 to the much older king of Sparta, Menelaus, of whom she was not that fond. So when handsome, young Paris of Troy (in modern day Turkey) showed up and told Helen that she had been promised to him by the Gods, young Helen was immediately interested.
As soon as her husband left town, the two escaped to Troy, where they lived happily until the day a very tetchy Menelaus came to retrieve Helen, accompanied by a sizeable army.
Soon Troy was engaged in a brutal war with Sparta that lasted ten years. Helen of Troy, as she will forever be known, is pretty much universally blamed for the conflict and the horrendous loss of life, but some historians say she really didn’t care because she got her man.
The Sun King threesome
Louis XIV, Madame de Montespan, and Madame de Maintenon
There were many loves in King Louis XIV of France's life, but two of the biggest were his longtime mistress, Madame de Montespan, and his nun-like final wife, Madame de Maintenon. Louis's sister-in-law, Elisabeth-Charlotte, called them "two of the worst women in the world." What did they do to earn such admonition?
Initially married to his first cousin, Maria Theresa of Spain, Louis cheated on her constantly. His number one lady for decades was Françoise-Athénaïs, Marquise de Montespan. A greedy, ambitious noblewoman, Montespan bore Louis seven children and maintained her spell on him, until she was accused of consorting with witches and lost his favour.
Eventually, Louis's wife passed and he felt a bit lost morally. He also got tired of Montespan's temper and passion around this time. He turned to Madame de Maintenon, the governess for his kids by Montespan, and fell for her quiet, pious nature.
The ladies had once been friends, but that all changed when Maintenon took Montespan's man. Against his ministers' will, Louis was even persuaded to marry the widowed Maintenon (who'd become his mistress) and their union remained secret for 30 years.
Louis XIV, Madame de Montespan, and Madame de Maintenon
There were many loves in King Louis XIV of France's life, but two of the biggest were his longtime mistress, Madame de Montespan, and his nun-like final wife, Madame de Maintenon. Louis's sister-in-law, Elisabeth-Charlotte, called them "two of the worst women in the world." What did they do to earn such admonition?
Initially married to his first cousin, Maria Theresa of Spain, Louis cheated on her constantly. His number one lady for decades was Françoise-Athénaïs, Marquise de Montespan. A greedy, ambitious noblewoman, Montespan bore Louis seven children and maintained her spell on him, until she was accused of consorting with witches and lost his favour.
Eventually, Louis's wife passed and he felt a bit lost morally. He also got tired of Montespan's temper and passion around this time. He turned to Madame de Maintenon, the governess for his kids by Montespan, and fell for her quiet, pious nature.
The ladies had once been friends, but that all changed when Maintenon took Montespan's man. Against his ministers' will, Louis was even persuaded to marry the widowed Maintenon (who'd become his mistress) and their union remained secret for 30 years.
The triangle that created a new church
Henry VIII, Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn
Henry VIII of England was the King of England and Lord of Love Triangles. He pretty much created an entirely new church to get away from his first wife! Originally married to Henry's late elder brother, Catherine of Aragon (a Spanish princess) found herself Queen of England by marrying her first spouse's little sibling, Henry. A few years older than her new hubby, Catherine was a devout, loving wife to Henry, even through heartbreaking miscarriages, stillbirths, and his many affairs.
Things changed, though, when Henry fell in love with Catherine's lady-in-waiting, Anne Boleyn. Catherine hadn't given birth to a male heir (and Henry's dad brought an end to more than a century of internecine warfare, so that was important), and Anne wanted Henry to marry her, not just have a cheap fling. Henry sought a divorce from the Pope, who wouldn't give him one. Partly because of his desire to get away from Catherine and marry his "true love," Henry broke off from Rome and formed the Anglican Church.
As the head of the Church, he could give himself a divorce, which he did. Henry married Anne, they had the future Queen Elizabeth I, and the rest is history.
Henry VIII, Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn
Henry VIII of England was the King of England and Lord of Love Triangles. He pretty much created an entirely new church to get away from his first wife! Originally married to Henry's late elder brother, Catherine of Aragon (a Spanish princess) found herself Queen of England by marrying her first spouse's little sibling, Henry. A few years older than her new hubby, Catherine was a devout, loving wife to Henry, even through heartbreaking miscarriages, stillbirths, and his many affairs.
Things changed, though, when Henry fell in love with Catherine's lady-in-waiting, Anne Boleyn. Catherine hadn't given birth to a male heir (and Henry's dad brought an end to more than a century of internecine warfare, so that was important), and Anne wanted Henry to marry her, not just have a cheap fling. Henry sought a divorce from the Pope, who wouldn't give him one. Partly because of his desire to get away from Catherine and marry his "true love," Henry broke off from Rome and formed the Anglican Church.
As the head of the Church, he could give himself a divorce, which he did. Henry married Anne, they had the future Queen Elizabeth I, and the rest is history.
The fraternal triangle that inspired Dante
Lady Francesca da Rimini, Gianciotto da Malatesta, and Paolo da Malatesta
This love triangle was a relatively minor episode in Italian history, but was retold in Dante's Divine Comedy and a Tchaikovsky opera. As a result, it became an infamous dramatic episode in literature and art.
The real story? In thirteenth century Italy, a lady from Ravenna, the young Francesca da Rimini, was betrothed to another noble named Gianciotto da Malatesta. Rumour had it, though, that she was in love with Gianciotto's younger brother, Paolo, and the two had a torrid affair. As a result, Gianciotto took the lives of both his wife and brother.
Although the people were real, their adultery isn't provable. Artists, however, picked up on this salacious story with Dante Alighieri, bringing it to life in his epic poem; it remained a popular piece of hot gossip in the Western canon for centuries. From operas to plays, paintings to poems, Francesca and the Malatesta boys remained a titillating subject.
Lady Francesca da Rimini, Gianciotto da Malatesta, and Paolo da Malatesta
This love triangle was a relatively minor episode in Italian history, but was retold in Dante's Divine Comedy and a Tchaikovsky opera. As a result, it became an infamous dramatic episode in literature and art.
The real story? In thirteenth century Italy, a lady from Ravenna, the young Francesca da Rimini, was betrothed to another noble named Gianciotto da Malatesta. Rumour had it, though, that she was in love with Gianciotto's younger brother, Paolo, and the two had a torrid affair. As a result, Gianciotto took the lives of both his wife and brother.
Although the people were real, their adultery isn't provable. Artists, however, picked up on this salacious story with Dante Alighieri, bringing it to life in his epic poem; it remained a popular piece of hot gossip in the Western canon for centuries. From operas to plays, paintings to poems, Francesca and the Malatesta boys remained a titillating subject.
A right royal threesome
Eleanor of Aquitaine, Louis VII, and Henry II
Who was the most overachieving woman of the Middle Ages? Eleanor of Aquitaine definitely ranks among the top candidates - she went on Crusade, married two different monarchs, and ruled her own duchy. But who were the guys who fought over her?
Eleanor was a sensual, lovely young woman, and her first husband was a bit of a prude. King Louis VII of France was once destined to be a monk, and it appears he kept up his celibate, religious ways, which didn't please Eleanor. But they enjoyed a pretty happy marriage with each other until they got back from Crusade, after which Eleanor's adventurous behaviour began to make Louis jealous. In March 1152, Louis finally let her go - their marriage was annulled.
But Eleanor wasn't single for long. Who was Louis's greatest rival? It was the young king of England and duke of Normandy, Henry II, who controlled almost as much of modern France as the French king himself. Understandably, Henry wanted Eleanor's land as well in order to outdo Louis. Eleanor was politically savvy and saw the advantage of marrying Henry and the two wed and had five sons, including Richard the Lionheart. However this severely vexed Louis sparking an epic rivalry that went on for generations.
Louis's clever son by another marriage, the future Philip II, turned Henry's sons against their father and caused not only ruptures in the family, but a full-on royal rebellion, which saw the return of most of Henry’s French lands to Philip’s control.
Eleanor of Aquitaine, Louis VII, and Henry II
Who was the most overachieving woman of the Middle Ages? Eleanor of Aquitaine definitely ranks among the top candidates - she went on Crusade, married two different monarchs, and ruled her own duchy. But who were the guys who fought over her?
Eleanor was a sensual, lovely young woman, and her first husband was a bit of a prude. King Louis VII of France was once destined to be a monk, and it appears he kept up his celibate, religious ways, which didn't please Eleanor. But they enjoyed a pretty happy marriage with each other until they got back from Crusade, after which Eleanor's adventurous behaviour began to make Louis jealous. In March 1152, Louis finally let her go - their marriage was annulled.
But Eleanor wasn't single for long. Who was Louis's greatest rival? It was the young king of England and duke of Normandy, Henry II, who controlled almost as much of modern France as the French king himself. Understandably, Henry wanted Eleanor's land as well in order to outdo Louis. Eleanor was politically savvy and saw the advantage of marrying Henry and the two wed and had five sons, including Richard the Lionheart. However this severely vexed Louis sparking an epic rivalry that went on for generations.
Louis's clever son by another marriage, the future Philip II, turned Henry's sons against their father and caused not only ruptures in the family, but a full-on royal rebellion, which saw the return of most of Henry’s French lands to Philip’s control.
The trio that caused an abdication
Edward VIII, Wallis Simpson, and Ernest Simpson
One of the most infamous women of the 20th century was Wallis Simpson. She was the reason King Edward VIII abdicated the British throne and Elizabeth II eventually became queen. When he was Prince of Wales, Edward (called "David," after one of his many middle names) took lots of mistresses, but it was Mrs. Simpson who finally captured his heart. Why didn't he marry her right away? She was divorced and also still married to the American Ernest Simpson. As future head of the Church of England, the Prince of Wales technically couldn't marry a divorcée, although his great-nephew, Prince Charles, changed that.
His family encouraged David to take a bride who was pretty much anyone but Wallis, but he was having none of it, especially after she left Ernest. It was Wallis or nothing, leading to tension between Wallis and David's sister-in-law, the Duchess of York (the future Queen Mum). Instead of "doing his duty" by wedding a suitable woman, David decided to renounce his throne in 1936 in order to marry Wallis. His little brother became King George VI, and his niece the future Queen Elizabeth II, the longest reigning monarch in British history.
David was named Duke of Windsor and married Wallis in 1937 with only 20 guests present. The nation vilified Wallis for her manipulation of a monarch and, quite understandably, for hanging out with Nazi officials. But some theorize that she did England a favour by taking David off the throne.
Edward VIII, Wallis Simpson, and Ernest Simpson
One of the most infamous women of the 20th century was Wallis Simpson. She was the reason King Edward VIII abdicated the British throne and Elizabeth II eventually became queen. When he was Prince of Wales, Edward (called "David," after one of his many middle names) took lots of mistresses, but it was Mrs. Simpson who finally captured his heart. Why didn't he marry her right away? She was divorced and also still married to the American Ernest Simpson. As future head of the Church of England, the Prince of Wales technically couldn't marry a divorcée, although his great-nephew, Prince Charles, changed that.
His family encouraged David to take a bride who was pretty much anyone but Wallis, but he was having none of it, especially after she left Ernest. It was Wallis or nothing, leading to tension between Wallis and David's sister-in-law, the Duchess of York (the future Queen Mum). Instead of "doing his duty" by wedding a suitable woman, David decided to renounce his throne in 1936 in order to marry Wallis. His little brother became King George VI, and his niece the future Queen Elizabeth II, the longest reigning monarch in British history.
David was named Duke of Windsor and married Wallis in 1937 with only 20 guests present. The nation vilified Wallis for her manipulation of a monarch and, quite understandably, for hanging out with Nazi officials. But some theorize that she did England a favour by taking David off the throne.
A triple decker romance
Martha Ray, Earl Of Sandwich & Reverend James Hackman
Martha Ray was a British singer of the Georgian era and the long-time mistress of the 4th Earl of Sandwich. The Earl, whose wife was suffering from mental illness, set her up in a residence in Westminster where she managed to produce nine children alongside her burgeoning career.
The third person in the triangle was the Reverend James Hackman, a learned man who proposed marriage to Martha on several occasions, all of which she declined.
Things took a decidedly tragic turn for the three when Hackman, completely infatuated with Martha, blew her brains out one night at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden.
The whole thing was an ugly mess, but the powerful Sandwich, ever mindful of his royal reputation, hushed the story up. Poor Martha was eventually forgotten, but Sandwich’s and Hackman’s legacies live on, Sandwich for his eponymous snack devised for convenience at the gambling table, and Hackman for being the first patient with a documented case of erotomania — love’s madness.
Martha Ray, Earl Of Sandwich & Reverend James Hackman
Martha Ray was a British singer of the Georgian era and the long-time mistress of the 4th Earl of Sandwich. The Earl, whose wife was suffering from mental illness, set her up in a residence in Westminster where she managed to produce nine children alongside her burgeoning career.
The third person in the triangle was the Reverend James Hackman, a learned man who proposed marriage to Martha on several occasions, all of which she declined.
Things took a decidedly tragic turn for the three when Hackman, completely infatuated with Martha, blew her brains out one night at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden.
The whole thing was an ugly mess, but the powerful Sandwich, ever mindful of his royal reputation, hushed the story up. Poor Martha was eventually forgotten, but Sandwich’s and Hackman’s legacies live on, Sandwich for his eponymous snack devised for convenience at the gambling table, and Hackman for being the first patient with a documented case of erotomania — love’s madness.
Three was definitely not a crowd
Edwina Mountbatten, Lord Louis Mountbatten & Jawaharla Nehru
Edwina Mountbatten’s tale has a happier ending. She was the wife of Lord Louis Mountbatten (yes, the same one after whom Kate and Will’s little Prince George Alexander Louis is named). He who was the highest-ranking British naval officer after World War II when Britain was still occupying India.
Though Edwina’s marriage looked rock-solid from the outside, she was known to have had many lovers, one of them being Jawaharlal Nehru, the man who would become India’s first prime minister.
But here’s where it gets kinky. It turns out that Nehru was also a bit of a swinger with a taste for exotic sex, and it was even rumored that Edwina, her husband, and Nehru all shared a bed at times. Despite, or perhaps because of the ties between the three, this triangle endured long past the time India gained its independence from Britain, ending only with Edwina’s untimely death at 58.
Edwina Mountbatten, Lord Louis Mountbatten & Jawaharla Nehru
Edwina Mountbatten’s tale has a happier ending. She was the wife of Lord Louis Mountbatten (yes, the same one after whom Kate and Will’s little Prince George Alexander Louis is named). He who was the highest-ranking British naval officer after World War II when Britain was still occupying India.
Though Edwina’s marriage looked rock-solid from the outside, she was known to have had many lovers, one of them being Jawaharlal Nehru, the man who would become India’s first prime minister.
But here’s where it gets kinky. It turns out that Nehru was also a bit of a swinger with a taste for exotic sex, and it was even rumored that Edwina, her husband, and Nehru all shared a bed at times. Despite, or perhaps because of the ties between the three, this triangle endured long past the time India gained its independence from Britain, ending only with Edwina’s untimely death at 58.
The Prince, the Princess and the mistress
Prince Charles, Princess Diana, and Camilla Parker Bowles
Even the British Royal Family isn’t safe from love triangles! Perhaps the most infamous one was that of Prince Charles, the late Princess Diana, and Camilla Parker Bowles. Before Prince Charles and Princess Diana wed in 1981, the first-in-line for the British throne was in love with Camilla, whom he'd known since 1970. The reason Prince Charles and Camilla couldn’t marry was due Camilla lacking an aristocratic bloodline and her not being a virgin. While the heartbroken Prince of Wales was devastated when Camilla moved on and married Andrew Parker Bowles, a Royal Navy Officer, the two remained close friends.
Prince Charles eventually found love with Diana and the two married in 1981. However, their 15-year marriage was doomed from the start. Despite having Princes William and Harry together, Prince Charles was more in love with Camilla than Diana. After the two princes were born, Charles and Camilla had an affair that lasted even after the former’s 1996 divorce from Princess Diana, who was later killed in a car crash in 1997. Charles and Camilla would finally wed in 2005 and become King and Queen in 2023.
Prince Charles, Princess Diana, and Camilla Parker Bowles
Even the British Royal Family isn’t safe from love triangles! Perhaps the most infamous one was that of Prince Charles, the late Princess Diana, and Camilla Parker Bowles. Before Prince Charles and Princess Diana wed in 1981, the first-in-line for the British throne was in love with Camilla, whom he'd known since 1970. The reason Prince Charles and Camilla couldn’t marry was due Camilla lacking an aristocratic bloodline and her not being a virgin. While the heartbroken Prince of Wales was devastated when Camilla moved on and married Andrew Parker Bowles, a Royal Navy Officer, the two remained close friends.
Prince Charles eventually found love with Diana and the two married in 1981. However, their 15-year marriage was doomed from the start. Despite having Princes William and Harry together, Prince Charles was more in love with Camilla than Diana. After the two princes were born, Charles and Camilla had an affair that lasted even after the former’s 1996 divorce from Princess Diana, who was later killed in a car crash in 1997. Charles and Camilla would finally wed in 2005 and become King and Queen in 2023.
A Hollywood triangle
Spencer Tracy, Louise Treadwell, and Katherine Hepburn
Before the love triangle of Brad Pitt, Jennifer Aniston, and Angelina Jolie one of the most, if not the most, famous Hollywood love triangles of the 20th century was that of Spencer Tracy, Louise Treadwell and Katherine Hepburn. Tracy and Hepburn met on the set of the 1942 film Woman of the Year where their characters fall in love with each other. The duo would go on to make 8 more films together. The chemistry between the two Oscar-winning actors in Woman of the Year was so strong that Tracy and Hepburn began a real-life romance.
However, what makes this one of the most famous love triangles ever is that Tracy had been married to Treadwell for almost 20 years and had two children with her when he met Hepburn. Despite Tracy and Treadwell having marriage troubles, the two never divorced as the former was a devout Catholic and that religion didn’t permit divorce. As a result, Tracy moved out of the family home (he still visited regularly) when he began his relationship with Hepburn which became one of the biggest open secrets in Hollywood at the time. The Oscar winners’ relationship lasted until 1967 when Tracy died of a heart attack. His death came just 17 days after filming concluded for the 1967 classic Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner.
Spencer Tracy, Louise Treadwell, and Katherine Hepburn
Before the love triangle of Brad Pitt, Jennifer Aniston, and Angelina Jolie one of the most, if not the most, famous Hollywood love triangles of the 20th century was that of Spencer Tracy, Louise Treadwell and Katherine Hepburn. Tracy and Hepburn met on the set of the 1942 film Woman of the Year where their characters fall in love with each other. The duo would go on to make 8 more films together. The chemistry between the two Oscar-winning actors in Woman of the Year was so strong that Tracy and Hepburn began a real-life romance.
However, what makes this one of the most famous love triangles ever is that Tracy had been married to Treadwell for almost 20 years and had two children with her when he met Hepburn. Despite Tracy and Treadwell having marriage troubles, the two never divorced as the former was a devout Catholic and that religion didn’t permit divorce. As a result, Tracy moved out of the family home (he still visited regularly) when he began his relationship with Hepburn which became one of the biggest open secrets in Hollywood at the time. The Oscar winners’ relationship lasted until 1967 when Tracy died of a heart attack. His death came just 17 days after filming concluded for the 1967 classic Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner.