Born: February 25, 1885 (Windsor Castle)
Died: December 5, 1969
Biography:
Princess Alice of Battenberg (Victoria Alice Elizabeth Julia Marie) was a remarkable figure in European royal history. Born on February 25, 1885, at Windsor Castle, she would go on to become the mother of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and the mother-in-law of Queen Elizabeth II. As the paternal grandmother of King Charles III, her influence on the British royal family cannot be understated.
Alice’s early years were marked by frequent relocations due to her father’s naval career. She grew up in the United Kingdom, Germany, and Malta, experiencing the diverse cultures and traditions of these countries. A great-granddaughter of Queen Victoria, Alice was born into the prestigious Battenberg family, a morganatic branch of the House of Hesse-Darmstadt.
Tragically, Alice was born deaf, which presented additional challenges throughout her life. Despite this adversity, she overcame her disability to make her mark on society. After marrying Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark in 1903, she adopted the title of Princess Andrew of Greece and Denmark. Her marriage connected her to the Greek and Danish royal families and further solidified her place in European nobility.
Alice’s life took a tumultuous turn during the early 20th century. She and her family were forced into exile from Greece in 1917 due to political upheaval. Although they returned a few years later, her husband faced criticism for Greece’s defeat in the Greco-Turkish War. Once again, the family had to flee into exile until the Greek monarchy was restored in 1935. These challenges tested Alice’s resilience and adaptability, but she continued to face them with courage.
In 1930, Alice was diagnosed with schizophrenia and was committed to a sanatorium in Switzerland. This marked a turning point in her life, as she lived separately from her husband afterward. Despite her personal struggles, Alice devoted herself to charity work in Greece once she recovered. Her compassion and dedication shone through during the Second World War when she sheltered Jewish refugees in Athens. In recognition of her heroic efforts, she was honored as Righteous Among the Nations by Israel’s Holocaust memorial institution, Yad Vashem.
After the war, Alice remained in Greece and founded the Christian Sisterhood of Martha and Mary, a Greek Orthodox nursing order of nuns. This organization provided much-needed care and support to the people of Greece during challenging times. Alice’s commitment to serving others demonstrated her selflessness and deep faith.
Following the fall of King Constantine II of Greece and the imposition of military rule in 1967, Alice was invited by her son and daughter-in-law to live at Buckingham Palace in London. It was there, in this final chapter of her life, that she passed away on December 5, 1969.
Alice’s legacy lives on as a testament to her strength, resilience, and unwavering dedication to helping others. Her selfless actions and contributions to society have left an indelible mark on women’s history and the British royal family.
Awards:
– Righteous Among the Nations by Yad Vashem for her courageous efforts in sheltering Jewish refugees during the Second World War.