Princess Victoria of Schaumburg-Lippe (Moretta), 2nd daughter of Kaiser Friedrich III

[Romanov_fan]

No, I am sure that Moretta was suited to public duty. She was a very capable woman, and was fairly intelligent, she wasn't a complete airhead or something. I think she just never got much satisfaction in her life. Moretta was most likely lucky to be not like her mother, because that would have have made her disliked at the Prussian court, as her mother was. But then her mother was English, and that was part of the problem. Moretta was a fairly good model of a Prussian Princess.

[Eddie_uk]

Vicky tried the same advice on her daughters (especially Sophie. Read her letters to her. Very interesting) with little success...Alas ! 

I don't think thats accurate . Sophie showed herself a true daughter of Vicky, especially in the early years. Read Born to Rule

[Eric_Lowe]

Well...Not according to the book "The Empress Frederick Writes writes to Sophie" ! I have also get to read Missy's letters on Sophie's years later (that were not on BORN TO RULE). She did not resemble Vicky too much in trying to stamp her name and signiture in Greece (This I heard from Greek historians), that is why her popularity wasn't as strong as her mother-in-law Queen Olga (who did roll up her sleeves and go to the provinces to win the people's hearts). To me "Born to Rule" is a good book with some good sources from surprising areas, but hardly one to change one's mind about the Queens/Empress it depicts.  

[grandduchessella]

Vicky did rather hector her daughter about getting involved in just about every aspect of Greek life. You could tell from the tone of the letters how much energy Vicky still had (and what a loss to Germany her sidelining was) and how much intellectual vigor--she encouraged Sophie to take a role in the arts, in education, in health & sanitation and other areas. She also didn't expect Sophie to just show up and cut ribbons--she sent advise on everything from the staffing of hospitals to their construction! The problem was, Sophie didn't share those qualities to such a degree--very few did. She was settling into her role as wife and, quickly, mother and Queen Olga was still the #1 lady in the country. As the years went on and she gained in confidence, she became more of an active force in charitable endeavors.

[Eric_Lowe]

True...Sophie did what was required of her and let it rest there. However she did not go to the provinces and see how the poor lived and rousted their loyalty to the crown (like Queen Olga definitely...It was due to that she was given passage back to nurse her grandson Alexander I). Vicky's advice was sound and she understood support for the young Greek Monarchy was due to the good will of the people. Had Sophie listened to her mother, she could be an added force (like Queen Olga to King George I), but she was too withdrawn to attempt. When the storm came, she couldn't do anything about it (but suffer in silence) 

"The Empress Frederick Writes to Sophie" is a very good book and excellent source to all those who loved Vicky and Sophie. It can still be found in some book searches and out-of-print book shops. A book not to be missed. 

[grandduchessella]

EFWTS is a gold-mine of information and perspective on Vicky and her children during this period, 1889-1901. There's a good deal of information on Moretta in there but, unfortunately, the last time I looked (since my copy is getting very beat up) it was very pricey. This and the book of letters (slim though it is) from Moretta to Vicky during the former's stay with Queen Victoria c.1890 are a must for those interested in Moretta--her memoirs not so much. While it's interesting in its way, it's an extremely light-weight book with very little substance or insight--Wilhelm looks like a saintly brother in them. 

[Romanov_fan]

Yes, that would be very little insight, indeed. I don't think Wilhelm was a very good brother to her, nor that she honestly thought so. But, its hard to say. He had his better side, although he was never saintly. I don't think Moretta may have wanted to express what her brother really meant to her, which may not have been very good, as he thwarted her marriage to Sandro. But, Moretta may been kindly about this, perhaps. Then again, Moretta wasn't very deep, or insightful, I don't think. She seems pretty matter of fact.

[Eddie_uk]

Had Sophie listened to her mother, she could be an added force (like Queen Olga to King George I), but she was too withdrawn to attempt. When the storm came, she couldn't do anything about it (but suffer in silence) 

This is worthy of two 

[Eric_Lowe]

That is what the Greeks themselves felt about Queen Sophie. Had she stamp herself more closely with the Greeks, the rumours of her being a German spy would never have taken hold ( just as Queen Olga as never suspected of being a Russian spy). Missy herself thought Sophie seemed listless and resigned, certainly Missy had more of Vicky's determination than Sophie ever had. 

[Eric_Lowe]

Back to Moretta...

She was like Sophie too in her resignition. The only one of the girls who had the energy was "Charley (Charlotte of Saxe-Meiningen) the brat". Sadly though her energy was misused in intrigue rather good for the family. 

[Romanov_fan]

If you read Born to Rule, which has Sophie in it, you come to see she may not have had that much energy as you say, but that she did get more done than Moretta. She was Queen consort of Greece, and was very strong in that role. As well., she had quite a few children, and was in general a good model of how to be a royal consort and mother. I think she accomplished much. But, Moretta was denied all this, although she could have done as well. I really can't see comparing the two sisters like that though, because although they may have had the same potential, or energy, they had the chance to do different things with it.

[Eric_Lowe]

Well...I guess Vicky's trio (Moretta, Sossie, Mossy) were more good obedient girls than one to take over a situation like Missy (who although was deeply wounded by Charley the brat...couldn't deny her cousin her admiration for her beauty and energy). I don't think Sophie was a bad queen, but compared with Queen Olga and Vicky (her mother), she appeared to be lacking. Moretta was brave in her own way, clinging to herdreams of Sandro of Battenberg as long as she did. But eventually it did her little good. 

[Romanov_fan]

For such a remarkable and intellectual woman as Vicky was, her daughters were rather pale shades of her. I think their stories are interesting, but they are not as important as her story. Sophie was included in this biography though, the one I mentioned, so obviously she was of some importance. The other sisters lived lives of lesser importance. They all made, except for Sophie rather unimportant marriages for princesses of their rank.

[Eric_Lowe]

Of the three I think Mossy made the best marriage. Sophie's husband did have his girlfriends, though she turned a blind eye to them. Moretta's lot was the hardest...Vicky was the one who had the best marriage of them all. 

[Romanov_fan]

As far as I know, Moretta's husband was faithful to her, wasn't he? I have never read that he wasn't, and that must have been a plus in an era when infidelity was all too common in royal marriages. It would have broken her heart otherwise.. Anyone know anything more?