Eps 100: Biography Of Princess Victoria Of Hesse And By Rhine
— History
Princess Victoria of Hesse and by Rhine was born on April 5, 1863, in Windsor Castle, England. She was the daughter of Louis IV, Grand Duke of Hesse, and Princess Alice of the United Kingdom, the second daughter of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Victoria married Prince Louis of Battenberg in 1884, a union that produced four children, including Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, the future husband of Queen Elizabeth II. Victoria was a gifted and progressive woman who took a keen interest in nursing and social work, significantly influenced by her mother, Princess Alice. Her marriage made her the Mtixauess of Milford Haven, and she played important roles during World War I, housing and nursing wounded soldiers. Her family ties were extensive, linking her to numerous European royal families. Known for her strong and pragmatic nature, Princess Victoria worked to support her family through numerous challenges, including the abdication and exile of her husband following anti-German sentiment. She spent her later years in London, maintaining her royal status despite political changes, and passed away on September 24, 1950.
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Host
Hugh Kuhn
Podcast Content
Victoria's life was marked by both public duty and personal turmoil. Her mother’s early death and the subsequent death of her youngest daughter from diphtheria cast long shadows over her personal life. Despite these tragedies, she emerged as a pillar of strength, deeply involved in charitable work and nursing, particularly during World War I. Notably, she was instrumental in establishing the nursing service that would evolve into the British Red Cross. Her relationship with her extended royal family, including her cousin, Emperor Nicholas II of Russia, and her sister, who became the last Tsarina, placed her at the heart of many pivotal moments in European history.
As the political landscape of Europe shifted dramatically in the early 20th century, Victoria witnessed the fall of many royal houses, including those of her close relatives. The Battenberg family itself had to anglicize their name to Mountbatten due to anti-German sentiment during World War I. Through these turbulent times, Victoria’s steadfastness never wavered. Her later years were spent in relative quiet, far removed from the royal courts of her youth. She passed away on September 24, 1950, in Kensington Palace, London, leaving behind a legacy of resilience, adaptability, and service. Her life offers a window into the turbulent history of European royalty, marked by personal fortitude and a deep-seated sense of duty amidst the seismic shifts of her time.