The Extraordinary Life Of Princess Alice | Queen's Mother-in-Law | Real Royalty

Real Royalty・2 minutes read

Princess Alice of Greece faced mental illness, experimental treatments, and turmoil but became a hero during World War II, hiding Jewish families during the Nazi occupation, leading to a lasting legacy of service, faith, and unity among different religions.

Insights

  • Princess Alice, Prince Philip's mother, faced mental illness and experimental treatments but emerged as a hero during World War II, risking her life to hide Jewish families during the Nazi occupation.
  • Princess Alice's dedication to service, stemming from her experiences in the Balkan Wars, led her to found a religious order, sell her royal jewelry to fund charitable projects, and inspire the poor in Athens, showcasing her unwavering faith and commitment to helping others.

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Recent questions

  • Who was Princess Alice of Greece?

    Princess Alice was Prince Philip's mother, a heroic figure.

  • What challenges did Princess Alice face?

    Princess Alice faced mental illness and experimental treatments.

  • What was Princess Alice's impact during World War II?

    Princess Alice became a hero by hiding Jewish families.

  • How did Princess Alice's faith influence her actions?

    Princess Alice's faith inspired her charitable work.

  • What was Princess Alice's legacy after her passing?

    Princess Alice's legacy of service and courage lives on.

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Summary

00:00

Princess Alice: Royal Escape and Heroism

  • Princess Alice, Prince Philip's mother, escaped from the Bellevue Sanatorium for the Insane in Switzerland in 1932 but was apprehended before reaching Germany.
  • Unlike the Queen Mom, Princess Alice was born a princess but chose to turn away from royal life.
  • Princess Alice, despite facing mental illness and experimental treatments, became a hero during World War II.
  • Princess Alice, born in 1885 at Windsor Castle, was raised as an English princess but faced a profound disability of being stone deaf.
  • Alice met and fell in love with Prince Andrew of Greece at the coronation celebrations of King Edward VII in 1902.
  • Alice and Prince Andrew settled in Athens, where she bore four daughters and won over the Greek public.
  • Alice left her children to organize battlefield hospitals during the Greek-Turkish war in 1912.
  • Prince Philip was born in 1921 amidst turmoil as Prince Andrew faced a death sentence, leading the family to flee Greece.
  • Princess Alice and her family arrived in Paris as refugees in 1923, losing their fortune and purpose.
  • Princess Alice was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia at the Tegel clinic near Berlin, where she believed she was physically involved with religious figures due to repressed desires.

18:21

Princess Alice's Heroic Actions During WWII

  • Freud and Simmel discussed the use of hormones for schizophrenia and psychosis.
  • Princess Alice underwent X-ray treatment to accelerate menopause.
  • Alice was detained at Bellevue sanatorium for two-and-a-half years.
  • Alice's husband was unsupportive during her time at Bellevue.
  • Alice's daughters married German princes while she was detained.
  • Alice was separated from her son, Prince Philip, during her time at Bellevue.
  • Alice was released from Bellevue in 1932 after demanding her freedom.
  • Alice lived in Germany for five years before being reunited with her family.
  • Alice hid Jewish families during the Nazi occupation, risking her life.
  • Athens was liberated in 1944, marking the end of Alice's heroic actions.

36:40

Princess Alice: Royal Mother's Legacy of Service

  • Princess Alice of Greece, mother of Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten, was unable to attend her daughters' weddings but made sure not to miss her son's engagement to Princess Elizabeth on July 10, 1947.
  • Despite initial reservations due to his family background, Prince Philip's mother, Princess Alice, was welcomed back into the British royal family and later surprised everyone by founding her own religious order, the Sisterhood of Martha and Mary, in Athens.
  • Princess Alice's dedication to service stemmed from her experiences in the Balkan Wars, leading her to sell her royal jewelry to fund her religious projects, much to the skepticism of some family members.
  • Despite doubts from some royals, Princess Alice's faith and charitable work were greatly appreciated by the poor in Athens, who saw her as a godsend and were inspired to follow her example.
  • After being reunited with her son, Prince Philip, Princess Alice passed away in 1969 at Buckingham Palace, leaving behind a heartfelt farewell letter and a wish to be buried on the Mount of Olives, which was fulfilled by Prince Philip in 1988.
  • Princess Alice's final resting place on the Mount of Olives became a symbol of unity among different religions, with her son accepting an honor from the Jewish nation for her courageous actions during World War II.
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