Helena, Princess Christian of Schleswig-Holstein

[eejm]

A poster in another forum asked about a separate thread for Helena, daughter of Queen Victoria, also known as Princess Christian of Schleswig-Holstein, or by her nickname, Lenchen.  (I did a search and could not find a separate thread for Helena.  If one does exist and I searched incorrectly, please forgive!!) 

Princess Helena was born on May 25, 1846, the fifth child and third daughter of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.  She was close to her brother, Alfred, and known to be athletic and interested in machinery as a child.  She was very shy, and very much affected by her father's death in 1861.  Helena married Prince Christian of Schleswig-Holstein, a minor German prince fifteen years older than herself, in 1866.  Though the marriage was somewhat arranged by Queen Victoria in order to keep Helena in Britain (and near her mother), Helena and Christian grew quite fond of each other.  The couple resided chiefly at Frogmore House and Cumberland Lodge.  The two had six children, though only four survived infancy.  With the exception of her sister Louise, who had no children, Helena is the only one of Queen Victoria's children not to be an ancestor of one or more current European monarchs or consorts.  Helena's only grandchild, Valerie, was an illegitmate daughter of her son Albert; Valerie died childless.  Princess Helena was also a patron of several charities.  She died on June 9, 1923.

Helena has a single biography written about her, Helena: Princess Reclaimed by Seweryn Chomet.  It's quite short and somewhat strangely written (I thought it read like a very rough draft of a dissertation), it does provide some lesser-known facts about Helena.  For instance, she had a flirtation/first love with a Royal Librarian, Carl Ruland, which may have resulted in Ruland's departure from staff.  Marie Louise, one of Helena's daughters, described her mother as having a "wonderful head for business."  Helena also was apparently a talented writer and artist, though her gifts were not as developed as those of her sisters Vicky and Louise.  She is, perhaps sadly, one of the least known children of Queen Victoria, possibly due to her lack of living descendents, her shyness, and her marriage to a less prominent prince.  Perhaps one day she will be rediscovered by historians.

[alixaannencova]

I am quite curious about Lenchen actually. She, Louise and Beatrice really between them established the modern working role of a member of the RF. Looking through court circulars dating back to the 1890s, these three were really working for their honey and bread! Actually along with QA and in particular Helen Albany, Lenchen, Louise and Beatrice made up a really admirable first team in the sense that they were more or less full time working Royals!

 Lenchen was very keen on nursing and all aspects of medical care and facilities for the people as well as members of the armed forces. In 1914 she resigned as President of St George's Hospital and it is very interesting to get an insight into her character. Here is her letter of resignation:

' Cumberland Lodge Windsor. Jan.21 1914

Gentleman -, I note with gratitude the willingness of your committee to assent to a private inquiry being made for me. I was anxious for this inquiry  in order that I might become cognizant of all sides of the late differences of opinion which up to the present time I have been ignorant of. Certain governors, however, whilst not objecting to answering any questions put to them, distinctly state they do not recognize any authority on my part, nor will they consent to abide by any decision arrived at as a result of such an inquiry.
   This being the position, an inquiry would be useless, and and it therefore falls to the ground.
I regret this extremely, as I had hoped to have been the means of bridging over the present difficulties.
It is with the deepest regret I find myself obliged to resign my position as President of the hospital, in which I have taken such a warm and real interest.
     I remain Gentleman, faithfully yours,
                                              Helena'

The independent inquiry had been made in order to investigate charges brought against the administration of the hospital by treasurers. Two such treasurers, Lord Plymouth and Mr. A. William West, had submitted their resignation earlier, but until after Lenchen resigned their resignations were temporarily withheld.

Such an instance I think, indicates that Lenchen was active in all areas of the medical sector, not just as a cypher and patroness, wandering the wards and murmuring a few words of comfort on annual royal visits.

I was very disappointed by 'A Princess reclaimed.' Indeed it did have some interesting facts such as the teenage crush and the accidental drug addiction, but it was all very shallow and superficial IMhumbleO. The book just had no real textual depth to it. Lenchen had a prickly relationship with her mother, but the latter, though she found Lenchen's health issues somewhat trying, no doubt recognized her daughter's value as a member of the RF. Lenchen frequently stood in for QV at drawing rooms and though not as close as Beatrice, was a more constant figure in the Queen's domestic setting than Louise ever was. Furthermore I do not think QV and Lenchen clashed, as Louise and QV did.
  According to Louie, her mother was very intelligent and liked music. Recitals at Schomberg House were a regular event and during the Russo Turkish War Lenchen press ganged the children into sorting socks that she and her household made and collected for the troops. Such vignettes are hardly sufficient to draw a 'rounded' picture of Lenchen, but they do give us clues to her character. One hears of tensions, between Lenchen and Bertie and Alix, which probably started over the question of S-H. It was probably inevitable, when even the name was verboten! And I do remember reading somewhere that Lenchen was sometimes regarded as a bit of a stirrer within the family ranks. Though I tend to believe that Louise was probably far more of a likely suspect in that particular department!

[Tdora1]

Lenchen was considered to have become a little problematic by her family during the late 1880's/early 90's. QV's doctor (and post-John Brown confidant and favourite) Sir James Reid wrote in his diary how he became so exasperated at her constant hypochondria that he "stopped all her narcotics and stimulants" during a family holiday in France in 1892, believing her excessive usage to be at the root of her problems. I have read before a few references to her alleged addiction to laudanum (tincture of opium - then almost a universal panacea) and how her withdrawal lead her to believe she was losing her sight. Apparently, Sir James made her up a placebo eyewash. She swore by its efficacy and even recommended it to her mother! Princess Marie Louise in her 'Memories of Seven Reigns" writes of how her mother's health during the early 90's necessitated her taking many trips to spas and 'cures' although without specifying any reasons. Fredrichskron also became a refuge for Lenchen to escape her dependencies with Vicky's sensible sympathy on hand. As far back as the birth of her second son, QV considered Lenchen to have prematurely aged and that her nerves and energy post-partum were in a poor state for a long time - even by the excessively prolonged Victorian lying-in practices. I don't think any of the few biographies of Lenchen have shed any light on this most tragic of afflictions. The impression given now by the media and modern culture - that all it needs is a couple of months rehab and you're fine - is dreadfully misleading. At any given time, less than 3% of those addicted to opiates who are commencing giving up will be completely free of their problem in 1 years time. Overwhelming depression seems to be THE major factor in relapses - that Lenchen fought both and came out intact is to have defied the odds many times and speaks volumes for her courage and strength.

[Eddie_uk]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Princess_Helena_of_the_United_Kingdom

[grandduchessella]

She was quite indefatigable in carrying out royal duties, especially those having to do with nursing and hospitals. Magazines of the day covered her activities of the day quite well.

[Keith]

June 1909 at the Jubilee Celebration of Wellington College.  What a shame Louise and Beatrice weren't there, it would have been nice to have seen the 5 surviving children of QV photographed together.

Standing L to R - Princess Victoria, Duchess of Connaught, Queen Alexandra, Prince Christian, Lord Derby, Princess Patricia, and Rev. Pollock

Seated L to R - Duke of Connaught, King Edward, and Princess Christian

[Eddie_uk]

Fabulous photo, thank you Keith! I agree it's a shame Louise and Beatrice where not present. It's lovely to see more photos of Helena, I like her style and she certainly reminds me of her mother!! The gentlemens top hats are marvellous too!

[Keith]

Besides seeing the 3 siblings together, I thought it rather interesting that Helena is sitting with her legs apart. I thought that rather unusual for those times. Must be the tomboy in her!

[Gabriella]

Thanks for posting that picture. It's very interesting to see Helena together with her brothers. For me that's very unusual. I cannot remember having seen a picture of them together as adults.

Also very interesting for me that Helena wore fair gowns. The pictures I'd seen of her before always show her in dark clothes.

What was Helena's relationship with her brothers? I know she and her husband had a difficult relationship with Queen Alexandra for Prince Christian being a Prince of Schleswig-Holstein, but what about King Edward VII? Waht was her relationship with Alfred, Arthur and Leopold?

Thanks,

Gabriella

[royaltybuff]

Besides seeing the 3 siblings together, I thought it rather interesting that Helena is sitting with her legs apart. I thought that rather unusual for those times. Must be the tomboy in her!

I know! I laughed when I saw that.

[Eddie_uk]

Gabriella, Alfred was her favourite brother. She was very upset when he died and had not realised how ill he was (none of them had), had she known she would have visited him. For some reason she blamed Beatrice for this, perhaps she thought Beatrice had held back information or some thing?

Helenas old home Cumberland Lodge looks charming....
http://www.cumberlandlodge.ac.uk/

[grandduchessella]

Yes, she didn't really get along with her brother, Edward VII--I don't think they were ever especially close but her marrying a Schleswig-Holstein prince pretty much ended any chance at a strong relationship. Arthur and Leopold were both closer to Louise.

Helena had an up & down relationship with Vicky--she was often seen to appear to take Dona's (her husband's niece) side in her disagreements with Vicky. There was a good amount of ill-feeling when Dona consulted Helena about something, perhaps the birth of her first child?, rather than her mother-in-law. Vicky was very hurt. Nonetheless, when Helena developed an addition (to morphine, I believe) it was to Vicky's that she went to detox.

Helena and Louise were very different but I think that she got along pretty well with Beatrice.

[eejm]

Yes, she didn't really get along with her brother, Edward VII--I don't think they were ever especially close but her marrying a Schleswig-Holstein prince pretty much ended any chance at a strong relationship. Arthur and Leopold were both closer to Louise.

Helena had an up & down relationship with Vicky--she was often seen to appear to take Dona's (her husband's niece) side in her disagreements with Vicky. There was a good amount of ill-feeling when Dona consulted Helena about something, perhaps the birth of her first child?, rather than her mother-in-law. Vicky was very hurt. Nonetheless, when Helena developed an addition (to morphine, I believe) it was to Vicky's that she went to detox.

Helena and Louise were very different but I think that she got along pretty well with Beatrice.

Helena and Leopold had a major falling out over his choice of a bride - Prince Christian's niece, Caroline Matilda (Calma).  Leopold had looked extensively for a bride, but had trouble with it due to his health (hemophilia/epilepsy) and his mother's reluctance.  He and Calma met, and got along well.  Christian was not only Calma's niece, but her guardian as well.  Leopold was all prepared to propose, when suddenly it came up that Calma's father had forbade the union before his death.  As the talk of marriage didn't even come up until after he'd died, this was a pretty thinly veiled attempt to keep Calma from Leopold due to his poor health.  Leopold was very disappointed at this, particularly at his sister's and brother-in-law's lack of honesty.  Ironically, Leopold's son and Calma's oldest daughter later married.

I don't think Helena and Leopold had any notable disagreements after that.  Helena happened to be with Leopold's wife, Helen of Waldeck, when word came that Leopold had died in Cannes.  It was Helena who told Helen the bad news.

[Gabriella]

Thanks for the information.

It's a pity that there is so little information about her. Despite the fact that she was thought to be plain by her parents she is a very interesting woman. I agree with alixannencova that she was one of the creators of the modern working role of Royals.
I somewhere read that she was one of the founding members of the British Red Cross during the Franco-Prussian War but I did not find any proof of it.

Her interest in nursing and welfare - was that influenced by her sister Alice or did she developed that by herself?

Could anybody recommend a book about her or all of Victoria's children where I could find more information about her?

Regards,

Gabriella.

[Grace]

You could try "Victoria's Daughters" by Jerrold M. Packard.