Queen Elena of Romania / Helen of Greece-Romania

[ilyala]

Hmm, can't blame Sophie for being reserved towards Elisabetta, from what I've read of her.  Sophie did encourage the match at first because George was in love, and Sophie did not know Elisabetta that well.  Carol's behavior was hard to hide though.  Helen was just too good for him, I think.  I can't find anything to sympathize with in King Carol II.  He probably just couldn't stay with Helen because that would have made his mother happy... and that definitely was not something Carol ever wanted to do.

carol's marriage failure had nothing to do with missy or his desire to displease her (i don't think he consciously admitted anything of the kind). helen was simply too diplomatic and too much of a typical high bred wife to be good for him. he needed someone like duduia, who pretty much bossed him around. he was a confused man, he stayed a confused man till he died. there's not a single thing that he did that he didn't retract at one point in his life. he gave up on his throne twice, and both of the times came back. the second time he had come to actually believe that he had been forced into giving up by his political enemies. he was totally lost and needed guidance: enter duduia

[Eric_Lowe]

Yes...The match between Helen & Carol was a mistake from the start. The only thing positive about it was the linking of bloodlines & dynasties. Sadly in 20th Century, it is not enough to maintain a marriage.  

[LenelorMiksi]

Well, they also had a fine son, IMO.

[SSKENDER]

Well, they also had a fine son, IMO.

Well, as they say, from thorns come roses...

[KarlandZita]

I think that Queen Mother Helen (or Elena) was more popular in Romania than her mother-in-low the queen Marie. People loved this unfortunate princess for her great beauty and because she was courageous and charitable.

[Laura_]

oh no this is not true...i'm romanian and i can assure you Queen Marie is a myth while Helen is remembered as an upright lady,a great mother and grandmother though not a great queen...

Queen Marie is considered to have been Romania's greatest queen and she was more courageous and charitable than Helen ...and it is Marie that is even today remembered for her great beauty

Laura:)

[KarlandZita]

I think that Helen of Greece/Romania was the most beautiful princess of her time. She had a perfect profile like a Greek statue and she was too so elegant and sophisticated.
The twenties style and fashion suited her very well.

[Eric_Lowe]

Well...The truth should be told. I think Helen was quite plain and without style when she first married Carol. However she gradually grew into it and remained stylish till the end. The contrast with her sister-in-law, Mignon could not have been greater. She who was a beautiful girl and although already showing signs of being heavy, could have taken her mother and Aunt Ena's example, but chose not to.  

[Laura_]

She... could have taken her mother and Aunt Ena's example, but chose not to.  

not very easy though...hard to follow Missy or Ena  i should say

[Eric_Lowe]

I think Mignon and Ena have similar built and shape, but Ena knew how to made the clothes fit her and select her jewels with care. Mignon just doesn't want to be bothered, no wonder her husband found his cousin, Paul's refined, fashionable and sophiticated wife, Olga much more interesting (much to his wife's jealousy). I think the all the Greek Princesses have some style over other princesses.  

[TampaBay]

All things considered, IMO, Marie and Helen had a good relationship!  All mother-in-laws and daughter-in-laws have an occasiional "spat" or "row".  Royals are no different.

TampaBay

Off-Topic:  I have always wondered what King Michael thought about his grandmother Queen Marie.

[Eric_Lowe]

Yes...Helen was big hearted too. She forgave Elisabetta after she slapped her during one of their tiffs.  

[Marina_Cummings]

Yes, and the mark of her slap remained for several days.  Horrible woman. If we are talking about animals, Elisabeta - how would you qualify her?  You know, sort of Proust questionnaire stuff.  Probably she was deeply unhappy too.  I suppose that we should not judge. We all have faults, some worse than others!

[Eric_Lowe]

Yes...Elisabetta had her disapointments in life too. However so did Sitta ! Being married to her brother was hardly a walk in the park. Yet, Carol was "her" brother, and to Elisabetta that meant siding with him no matter what the facts were. Another factor was that Sitta was George's sister, and her own marriage also went down the tubes...

[ilyala]

elisabetta was a snake