History Extra podcast Royal sisters: the tragic lives of Queen Victoria's granddaughters
May 27, 2025
Frances Welch, an author specializing in royal history, discusses the poignant lives of Queen Victoria's granddaughters: Victoria, Ella, Irene, and Alix of Hesse. Their marriages significantly influenced early 20th-century Europe. Welch reveals the emotional aftermath of their lives after Queen Victoria's death and the challenges of royal matchmaking. She highlights the tragic toll of hemophilia in the family and the complex dynamics within the ties to the Romanovs. The fascinating stories showcase loyalty, loss, and the intrigues of royal life.
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Queen Victoria's Role as Guardian
- Queen Victoria was the grandmother and guardian of Victoria, Ella, Irene, and Alix of Hesse after their mother died young.
- She controlled many aspects of their lives and actively arranged their marriages to protect them politically.
Marriage Politics and Russian Fear
- Queen Victoria disapproved of her granddaughters marrying Russians due to political and personal fears.
- Despite her wishes, the sisters married into Russian nobility, changing their lives dramatically.
Sisters' Marriages Across Europe
- Victoria married Louis Mountbatten and settled in England, while Ella and Alix married Russian Grand Dukes and moved to Russia.
- Irene married Prince Henry in Germany, placing the sisters across Europe's key political centers.
