Princess Alice of Battenberg (d. 1969)

The Extraordinary Life of Princess Alice of Battenberg

Born into royal splendor at Windsor Castle on February 25, 1885, Princess Victoria Alice Elizabeth Julia Marie of Battenberg was no ordinary royal. A great-granddaughter of Queen Victoria herself, Alice’s early years were spent across Great Britain, Germany, and Malta, shaping a cosmopolitan upbringing for a Hessian princess by birth. She was a member of the Battenberg family, a morganatic branch of the esteemed House of Hesse-Darmstadt, a lineage that spoke of European aristocratic connections. Uniquely, Princess Alice was congenitally deaf, a challenge she navigated throughout her remarkable life.

Marriage, Exile, and Personal Trials

In 1903, Alice embarked on a new chapter, marrying Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark. With her marriage, she adopted her husband's style, becoming known as Princess Andrew of Greece and Denmark. Her life then became intertwined with the tumultuous political landscape of Greece. She resided there until 1917 when the majority of the Greek royal family was forced into exile. A brief return saw her husband unjustly blamed for Greece's defeat in the devastating Greco-Turkish War (1919–1922), leading to the family's second exile, a period that would last until the Greek monarchy was eventually restored in 1935.

Amidst these public upheavals, Princess Alice faced profound personal struggles. In 1930, she was diagnosed with schizophrenia, a challenging condition that led to her commitment to a sanatorium in Switzerland. Following this difficult period, she lived separately from her husband, navigating a path of recovery and introspection that would ultimately redefine her purpose.

A Life of Selfless Service and Righteousness

Upon her recovery, Princess Alice dedicated the remainder of her years to an unwavering commitment to charity work in Greece, embodying a spirit of profound compassion. Her courage shone brightest during the darkest days of the Second World War when she bravely remained in Athens, providing shelter to Jewish refugees at immense personal risk. For her heroic actions, she was later recognized as "Righteous Among the Nations" by Yad Vashem, Israel's official memorial to the victims of the Holocaust, a testament to her extraordinary humanitarianism and moral strength.

After the war, Alice continued her life of devotion in Greece, founding a Greek Orthodox nursing order of nuns known as the Christian Sisterhood of Martha and Mary. This endeavor further cemented her legacy as a woman deeply committed to spiritual and practical aid for those in need, transforming her royal status into a mantle of service.

Later Years and Enduring Legacy

The political tides in Greece once again shifted in 1967 with the fall of King Constantine II and the imposition of military rule. At this juncture, Princess Alice was invited by her son, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and her daughter-in-law, Queen Elizabeth II, to reside at Buckingham Palace in London. She spent her final two years there, passing away on December 5, 1969. Her journey did not end with her burial; in 1988, her remains were transferred from a vault in her birthplace, Windsor Castle, to the serene Church of Mary Magdalene at the Russian Orthodox convent on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem. This final resting place, overlooking the holy city, reflects the spiritual depth and multifaceted life of Princess Alice, a woman whose lineage connected her to Europe's crowns, but whose heart led her to serve humanity and God.

FAQs About Princess Alice of Battenberg

Who was Princess Alice of Battenberg?

Princess Alice of Battenberg was the mother of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and the mother-in-law of Queen Elizabeth II. She was a great-granddaughter of Queen Victoria, a Greek royal by marriage, and renowned for her humanitarian work, particularly during World War II.

When and where was Princess Alice born?

Princess Alice was born on February 25, 1885, at Windsor Castle, a historic royal residence in England.

What challenges did Princess Alice face in her life?

Alice was congenitally deaf. She also endured multiple periods of exile with the Greek royal family, was diagnosed with schizophrenia in 1930, and dedicated her later life to charity work after a period of recovery.

How was Princess Alice recognized for her actions during World War II?

During WWII, Princess Alice sheltered Jewish refugees in Athens. For these courageous actions, she was recognized as "Righteous Among the Nations" by Yad Vashem, Israel's official Holocaust memorial institution, an honor bestowed upon non-Jews who risked their lives to save Jews during the Holocaust.

Where is Princess Alice of Battenberg buried?

Princess Alice's remains were transferred in 1988 to the Church of Mary Magdalene at the Russian Orthodox convent on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem.

What was her connection to the Battenberg family?

She was a member of the Battenberg family by birth, a morganatic branch of the House of Hesse-Darmstadt, connecting her to various European royal houses.