Princess Alice of Battenberg Biography: Age, Net Worth, Siblings, Parents, Children, Husband, Death, Ethnicity, Awards

Princess Alice of Battenberg, born Victoria Alice Elizabeth Julia Marie on 25 February 1885 in Windsor Castle, was a royal whose life journey spanned the realms of nobility, personal tribulations, and profound humanitarian efforts.

As the mother of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and grandmother to King Charles III, her legacy is intricately woven into the fabric of European royalty.

Her story is one of resilience, faith, and dedication to others, particularly during the harrowing times of World War II.

Profile

• Full name: Victoria Alice Elizabeth Julia Marie
• Date of birth: February 25, 1885
• Age as of 2025: 140 years (deceased)
• Gender: Female
• Place of birth: Windsor Castle, Berkshire, United Kingdom
• Nationality: British-German
• Profession: Princess, Philanthropist, Founder of Religious Order
• Height: N/A
• Parents: Prince Louis of Battenberg, Princess Victoria of Hesse and Rhine
• Siblings: Princess Louise, Marquess of Milford Haven; Prince George, Earl of St. Andrews; Prince Louis of Battenberg
• Spouse: Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark
• Children: Princess Margarita of Hohenlohe-Langenburg, Princess Theodora of Baden, Princess Cecilie of Hesse, Princess Sophie of Hanover, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
• Relationship status: Widowed
• Religion: Initially Protestant; converted to Greek Orthodox in 1928
• Ethnicity: German-British
• Net worth: $10 million

Early Life and Education

Princess Alice of Battenberg was born into a distinguished European royal lineage on February 25, 1885. Her father, Prince Louis of Battenberg, was a German prince, and her mother, Princess Victoria of Hesse and by Rhine, was the eldest daughter of Grand Duke Louis IV of Hesse.

Alice’s birth took place in the Tapestry Room of Windsor Castle, with her great-grandmother, Queen Victoria, present. Diagnosed with congenital deafness at an early age, Alice learned to lip-read and speak in both English and German.

Her education was private, encompassing languages such as French and, later, Greek. Throughout her youth, she resided in various locations, including Darmstadt, London, Jugenheim, and Malta, due to her father’s naval postings.

Personal Life

In 1902, Princess Alice met Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark during the coronation of King Edward VII in London. The couple married on October 6, 1903, in a civil ceremony in Darmstadt, followed by religious ceremonies in both Lutheran and Greek Orthodox traditions.

Adopting the style of her husband, she became known as Princess Andrew of Greece and Denmark. The couple had five children: Princess Margarita, Princess Theodora, Princess Cecilie, Princess Sophie, and Prince Philip. Their marriage faced challenges, including political turmoil in Greece and Alice’s personal health struggles.

In 1930, she was diagnosed with schizophrenia and spent time in a sanatorium in Switzerland. Despite these challenges, Alice remained steadfast in her devotion to her family and faith.

Career

A commitment to service and philanthropy marked Princess Alice’s life. During World War I, she worked as a nurse, assisting in field hospitals and earning the Royal Red Cross in 1913.

Her charitable endeavours continued during World War II, when she sheltered Jewish refugees in Athens, an act that later earned her the title of “Righteous Among the Nations” by Israel’s Holocaust memorial institution, Yad Vashem.

In 1949, she founded the Christian Sisterhood of Martha and Mary, a Greek Orthodox nursing order of nuns, dedicating her life to caring for the poor and the sick.

Awards

• Dame of the Order of the Golden Lion (1903)
• Dame Grand Cross of the Order of Saints Olga and Sophia
• Royal Red Cross (1913)
• Dame of the Order of Queen Maria Luisa (1928)
• Righteous Among the Nations (1993)
• British Hero of the Holocaust (2010)

Net Worth

Princess Alice of Battenberg’s net worth is estimated to be around $10 million, according to modern estimations. Her life was characterized by service and devotion rather than the accumulation of wealth. She gave away all her possessions before her death, reflecting her commitment to a life of simplicity and charity.

Death

Princess Alice passed away on December 5, 1969, at Buckingham Palace. Initially interred in the Royal Crypt at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, her remains were later moved to the Church of Mary Magdalene on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem in 1988, fulfilling her wish to be buried near her aunt, Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna of Russia.

Controversy

Princess Alice’s life was not without controversy. Her diagnosis of schizophrenia in 1930 led to her institutionalization in Switzerland, causing a rift with her family, including her son, Prince Philip. During her time in the sanatorium, she was subjected to treatments that are now considered controversial, including the X-raying of her ovaries.

These events caused her and her family distress. Despite these challenges, Alice’s dedication to her faith and humanitarian work remained steadfast, and she was later honoured for her actions during the Holocaust.

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