Rachel Evans
Princess Alice of Battenberg, born in 1885 at Windsor Castle, was the mother of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and mother-in-law of Queen Elizabeth II. She was a member of the Greek royal family and worked with the Red Cross during World War II. Princess Alice founded a nursing order of nuns, the Christian Sisterhood of Martha and Mary, in 1949. She was inspired by her aunt, Grand Duchess Elizabeth Fyodorovna, who was also a nun and had founded a convent. Princess Alice's religious order eventually failed due to a lack of suitable applicants. She attended the coronation of Queen Elizabeth in 1953, wearing a nun's habit. After a coup in Greece in 1967, she moved to Buckingham Palace, where she lived until her death in 1969. So, while Princess Alice did become a nun, she was not Catholic but part of the Greek Orthodox Church.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Victoria Alice Elizabeth Julia Marie |
| Born | 25 February 1885 |
| Birthplace | Windsor Castle |
| Parents | Prince Louis of Battenberg and Princess Victoria of Hesse |
| Deafness | Congenital |
| Education | Learned to lip-read and speak in English and German |
| Languages | English, German, French |
| Marriage | Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark in 1903 |
| Children | Five children, four daughters and one son, Philip |
| Exile | 1917, returned to Greece after a few years |
| Diagnosis | Schizophrenia |
| Nursing Order | Christian Sisterhood of Martha and Mary |
| Religious Order | Greek Orthodox |
| Death | 5 December 1969 |
| Burial | Jerusalem |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Princess Alice founded a nursing order of Greek Orthodox nuns in 1949
Princess Alice of Battenberg, born Victoria Alice Elizabeth Julia Marie, was the mother of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, mother-in-law of Queen Elizabeth II, and paternal grandmother of King Charles III. She was born in 1885 at Windsor Castle and grew up in the United Kingdom, Germany, and Malta. Princess Alice was congenitally deaf and learned to lip-read and speak in English and German at a young age.
In January 1949, Princess Alice founded a nursing order of Greek Orthodox nuns called the Christian Sisterhood of Martha and Mary. The order was modelled after the convent that her aunt, Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna, had founded in Russia in 1909. Princess Alice trained on the Greek island of Tinos and established a home for the order in a hamlet north of Athens. She sold many of her possessions to raise money for the order and undertook two tours of the United States in 1950 and 1952 to gather funds. Unfortunately, the order eventually failed due to a lack of suitable applicants.
Princess Alice had a deep interest in charitable and humanitarian work. During World War II, she worked with the Swedish and Swiss Red Cross and helped hide a Jewish family, the Cohens, in Athens. She also had experience in nursing, having set up field hospitals and assisted with surgeries during the Balkan Wars of 1912-1913. For her efforts, she was awarded the Royal Red Cross in 1913 by King George V.
In addition to her charitable work, Princess Alice experienced a tumultuous personal life. She was committed to a sanatorium in Switzerland in the late 1920s after suffering a nervous breakdown and exhibiting signs of mental illness. She was treated by Sigmund Freud, who attributed her condition to an unfulfilled love affair. Princess Alice was also estranged from her four daughters, who married into the German nobility, some of whom were supporters of National Socialism, while her son, Prince Philip, served in the British Royal Navy.
Princess Alice died in 1969 at Buckingham Palace, where she had been living since 1967 after being invited by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip due to her failing health and the political situation in Greece. She was buried in Jerusalem, next to her aunt, Grand Duchess Elizabeth Fyodorovna, who had also become a nun and founded a convent.
Enoch's Book: Catholic Perspective
You may want to see also
Explore related products
She was the mother of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
Princess Alice of Battenberg, born at Windsor Castle in 1885, was the mother of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. She was the daughter of Prince Louis of Battenberg and Princess Victoria of Hesse, granddaughter of Queen Victoria. Princess Alice met her future husband, Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark, at the coronation of King Edward VII in 1902, and they married in 1903. The couple had five children: four daughters and one son, Philip.
Princess Alice and her family were exiled from Greece in 1917, and they settled in Paris. Prince Philip was sent to live in England with his maternal grandmother, while Princess Alice was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and committed to a Swiss sanatorium in 1930. Despite her struggles, Princess Alice was a keen philanthropist and dedicated her life to charitable work. During World War II, she worked for the Red Cross, organised shelters for orphaned children, and brought medical supplies to Greece. She also risked her life to hide a Jewish family, the Cohens, from persecution by the Nazis. For her bravery, she was posthumously named a Hero of the Holocaust by the British Government in 2010.
Princess Alice returned to the United Kingdom in 1947 to attend her son's wedding to Princess Elizabeth, who later became Queen Elizabeth II. Princess Alice founded a nursing order of Greek Orthodox nuns, the Christian Sisterhood of Martha and Mary, in 1949. She attended her daughter-in-law's coronation in 1953, wearing a nun's habit. Following a coup in Greece in 1967, Princess Alice was invited to live at Buckingham Palace with Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip. She passed away in 1969, leaving behind a legacy of resilience and compassion.
Christians and Catholics: United or Divided?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
She was born congenitally deaf
Princess Alice of Hesse, later known as Princess Andrew of Greece and Denmark, was indeed born congenitally deaf. This meant that she was completely deaf from birth, a condition that presented unique challenges and had a significant impact on her life and the way she navigated her role within royal circles.
Despite this disability, Princess Alice led a remarkable and impactful life, known for her strong character, intelligence, and dedication to her beliefs. Being deaf did not deter her from learning multiple languages, including English, German, and French, which she accomplished by studying the movement of lips and by feeling the vibrations of voices. This enabled her to communicate effectively, even though it must be noted that her speech retained a raspy quality due to her deafness.
Her disability also influenced her to develop a strong sense of empathy and compassion for others who faced challenges. She took an interest in the welfare of the less fortunate and dedicated much of her life to philanthropy and charitable work. Princess Alice was particularly drawn to helping those with disabilities and mental health issues, perhaps influenced by her own personal experience.
Due to her deafness, Princess Alice also experienced a sense of isolation within royal circles, where her disability set her apart from her peers. This may have contributed to her strong sense of independence and self-reliance, as well as her willingness to forge her own path. She converted to the Greek Orthodox faith, a decision that caused a rift with her family, and later in life, she even became a nun, taking on the name "Sister Elizabeth."
Princess Alice's deafness did not define her entirely, but it was an integral part of her identity and influenced the way she navigated the world. Her life serves as a testament to resilience, adaptability, and the ability to overcome adversity. Despite the challenges she faced, Princess Alice left a lasting legacy of compassion and dedication to those in need.
In summary, Princess Alice's experience as a congenitally deaf royal demonstrates a unique perspective on overcoming disability and using one's challenges as a catalyst for positive change and a more empathetic worldview. Her story continues to inspire and shed light on the capabilities of individuals with disabilities.
Sunday Work: Catholic Sin or Not?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
She was committed to a Swiss sanatorium after being diagnosed with schizophrenia
Princess Alice of Battenberg, born in 1885, was the mother of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, mother-in-law of Queen Elizabeth II, and paternal grandmother of King Charles III. She was married to Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark, whom she met at the coronation of King Edward VII in 1902, and they had five children together. Princess Alice was diagnosed with congenital deafness at a young age and became a fluent lip reader by the age of eight.
In the late 1920s, Princess Alice suffered a nervous breakdown and spoke of conversations with Jesus Christ, suggesting a romantic relationship. Her family was perplexed and sought treatment for her at a clinic in Berlin. She was then committed to a Swiss sanatorium after being diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. Sigmund Freud reviewed her case at the sanatorium and concluded that the princess's madness was caused by an unrequited love affair. As a treatment, Princess Alice's ovaries were repeatedly X-rayed to induce menopause and "cool her down," according to Freud.
Princess Alice's commitment to a Swiss sanatorium is a little-known aspect of her life, which was marked by both tragedy and charitable work. She founded a nursing order of Greek Orthodox nuns, the Christian Sisterhood of Martha and Mary, in 1949, inspired by her aunt, Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna, who had founded a convent in Russia. Princess Alice sold many of her possessions to raise funds for her order and established a home for them in a hamlet north of Athens. She also undertook trips to the United States in 1950 and 1952 to raise funds for her charitable endeavours.
Princess Alice's life was filled with challenges and triumphs. She lived through political tumult, exile, and personal struggles, yet she dedicated herself to helping others. Her charitable work extended beyond her religious order. During World War II, she worked with the Swedish and Swiss Red Cross, and she helped hide the Jewish Cohen family from the Nazis, despite her own daughters being married to high-ranking Nazi officials. Princess Alice's courage and compassion earned her recognition, and she was awarded the Royal Red Cross in 1913 by King George V.
In 1967, Princess Alice returned to England and moved into Buckingham Palace, where she lived until her death in 1969. She led a remarkable life, navigating the complexities of royalty, mental health struggles, and a deep commitment to her charitable endeavours. Princess Alice's legacy is one of resilience, compassion, and a dedication to serving others.
Catholics and Jews: A History of Conflict and Reconciliation
You may want to see also
Explore related products
She died in 1969 at Buckingham Palace
Princess Alice of Battenberg, mother of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and mother-in-law of Queen Elizabeth II, died in 1969 at Buckingham Palace. She was a great-granddaughter of Queen Victoria and was born congenitally deaf. Princess Alice was married to Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark, with whom she had five children: four daughters and a son, Philip.
Princess Alice led a remarkable life, marked by both tragedy and charity work. During World War II, she worked with the Swedish and Swiss Red Cross and helped hide a Jewish family, the Cohens, from the Nazis. She also founded her own religious order of nuns, the Christian Sisterhood of Martha and Mary, in 1949, inspired by her aunt, Grand Duchess Elizabeth Fyodorovna. Princess Alice sold many of her possessions to raise funds for her order and continued her charitable work throughout her life.
In 1967, following a military coup in Greece, Princess Alice moved into Buckingham Palace, where she lived until her death in 1969. Despite her advanced age, she continued to wander the halls of the palace in her nun's habit and occasionally smoked cigarettes. Princess Alice's life and work have been portrayed in the Netflix drama "The Crown," bringing attention to this previously little-known figure in royal history.
Princess Alice died at the age of 84, having lived a life of dedication to her faith and charitable causes. Her wish was to be buried in Jerusalem, next to her aunt, Grand Duchess Elizabeth Fyodorovna, who had also become a nun and founded a convent. Princess Alice's grave can be found in the crypt of the church of Mary Magdalene, on Mount Olives in Jerusalem.
Sunday Observance: Catholic Traditions in the 19th Century
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
No, Princess Alice was not Catholic. She founded a nursing order of Greek Orthodox nuns called the Christian Sisterhood of Martha and Mary in 1949.
Princess Alice was Anglican. She was confirmed in the Anglican faith as a teenager.
Princess Alice became a nun after experiencing a mental breakdown in the late 1920s. She was committed to a Swiss sanatorium in 1930 and diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia.
Princess Alice was deeply religious and committed to charitable and humanitarian work. During World War II, she helped hide a Jewish family, the Cohens, in Athens. She also set up her own religious order and frequently sought funding for it.
