Princess Alice, the mother-in-law of Queen Elizabeth II, is a remarkable figure in history, yet few people have heard of her. She was a great granddaughter of Queen Victoria and married into the Greek royal family, but her life was not easy. After the Greek monarchy was overthrown, she suffered a nervous breakdown and was institutionalized and subjected to experimental treatments by psychiatrists, including Sigmund Freud himself.
This trauma affected her marriage and her only son, Prince Philip, who grew up with a fractured childhood. However, Princess Alice overcame her mental illness and became a hero of World War II. She risked her life to hide a Jewish family from the Nazis, an act of bravery that earned her recognition from Yad Vashem as Righteous Among the Nations.
When Prince Philip married Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Alice could have chosen a comfortable life as a member of the royal family. Instead, she devoted herself to working with the poor in Greece. She gave away all her possessions and even founded her own religious order, the Christian Sisterhood of Martha and Mary. Princess Alice’s selflessness and courage make her a truly inspiring figure, and her story deserves to be remembered.
Princess Alice of Battenberg, born Victoria Alice Elizabeth Julia Marie, was born on February 25, 1885, in Windsor Castle. She was the great-granddaughter of Queen Victoria and the daughter of Prince Louis of Battenberg and Princess Victoria of Hesse and by Rhine. In 1903, she married Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark, and the couple had five children, including their only son, Prince Philip, who would later marry Queen Elizabeth II.
In 1922, after a military coup, the Greek monarchy was overthrown, and Princess Alice’s husband, Prince Andrew, was arrested and banished from the country. The family fled to France, where they lived in reduced circumstances. It was during this time that Princess Alice began to experience mental health issues, and she was diagnosed with schizophrenia.
Princess Alice’s illness led to her being institutionalized and subjected to experimental treatments by psychiatrists, including Sigmund Freud himself. Her husband, Prince Andrew, was reportedly unsympathetic to her illness, and the strain on their marriage was evident. Their only son, Prince Philip, was sent to live with relatives in England and was raised by various family members.
During World War II, Princess Alice returned to Greece and dedicated herself to working with the poor. She became known for her humanitarian efforts, and in 1943, she risked her own life to hide a Jewish family from the Nazis. The family, the Cohens, had been friends of hers for many years, and she hid them in her home in Athens until they could be smuggled out of the country.
Princess Alice’s bravery and selflessness during the war earned her recognition from Yad Vashem as Righteous Among the Nations. She was one of only a few members of royal families to receive this honor.
After the war, Princess Alice continued to work with the poor in Greece. She gave away all her possessions and even founded her own religious order, the Christian Sisterhood of Martha and Mary. The order provided nursing and care for the poor and the sick in Greece. Princess Alice became known as “Mother Superior Alice” and was widely respected for her work.
In 1967, a military coup in Greece forced Princess Alice to leave the country once again. She spent the remainder of her life in England, where she died on December 5, 1969, at the age of 84.
Princess Alice, the mother-in-law of Queen Elizabeth II, accomplished many remarkable things throughout her life. Here are some of her notable achievements:
- Helped Jews during WWII: Princess Alice risked her own life to hide a Jewish family in her Athens home during World War II. This act of bravery earned her recognition from Yad Vashem as Righteous Among the Nations.
- Founded a religious order: In 1949, Princess Alice founded the Christian Sisterhood of Martha and Mary, a nursing order based in Athens that focused on helping the poor and sick.
- Supported charitable causes: Throughout her life, Princess Alice supported a variety of charitable causes, including organizations that helped disabled children, orphanages, and hospitals.
- Worked as a nurse: During World War I, Princess Alice trained as a nurse and worked at a hospital in Greece. She also volunteered as a nurse during World War II.
- Advocated for mental health: Princess Alice’s own struggles with mental illness led her to become an advocate for mental health awareness and treatment. She was particularly interested in helping children with mental health issues.
- Embraced her faith: Princess Alice was a deeply religious woman and converted to the Greek Orthodox Church in 1928. Her faith played an important role in her life and inspired many of her charitable works.
Overall, Princess Alice was a remarkable woman who dedicated her life to helping others. Her selflessness and courage continue to inspire people today. Princess Alice’s life was one of great hardship, but also of great courage and selflessness.
Despite her own struggles with mental illness, she dedicated her life to helping others, and her actions during World War II saved the lives of Jewish refugees. Her story is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there are those who will rise to the occasion and do what is right. Princess Alice’s legacy continues to inspire people around the world, and she is truly a hero of our time.
