Prince Henry (Heinrich) of Prussia, his family and descendants

[dmitri]

Yes that is why she tried to warn Alexandra. Sadly Alexandra refused to listen. Nobody could help her or more sadly Russia under her misguided rule. So many people paid an appalling price due to her bone headedness, even her children.

[Eric_Lowe]

Yes...Irene and VMH understand her stance as a mother, but cannot consel Alicky on politics since she was a know-it-all already. 

[Olishka~ Pincess]

Yes that is why she tried to warn Alexandra. Sadly Alexandra refused to listen. Nobody could help her or more sadly Russia under her misguided rule. So many people paid an appalling price due to her bone headedness, even her children.

Yes that is true Ella did try to warn Alexandra about how much trouble Rasputin is but she continued to drink coffee often and didn't Sandro try to talk since into Alexandra? Something was obviously wrong with her.Victoria and Irene did not know Rasputin well enough to realy judge him like Ella did. Alexandra had many headaches and pains and her children suffered too they had got meacles. Irene was not there to help Alexandra as much as Ella tried to do.

[lori_c]

Well at a certain point the sisters were on opposing sides of a world war which greatly curtailed Irene's communication with her siblings in Russia and her sister in England, not to mention her voluminous cousins and relations.  Irene, IMO, most certainly would have understood Alix's anguish over Alexei and her feelings of helplessness.  But it seems that she handled her hemophiliac children differently.  And she understood, as did the rest of the Hesse children, Alix's propensity for hysteria.  They knew Alix was high strung since childhood, and could be difficult and moody.  But they were all still very close including Ernie.

VMH and Irene seemed the voice of reason that did not offend Alix as much as Ella for whatever reason.  After 1914, it was very difficult anyway to have much contact with each other.  So it seemed to fall upon Ella to try to reach Alix in anyway she could as she was in Russia.

VMH and Irene were quite aware of Rasputin's "hold" over Alix and whatever it was that he did to prey upon her anquish over her dying child.  Mainly through correspondence from Ella and others that made it to them through clandestine channels.  But they were helpless given the circumstances to do any sort of intervention.  It is doubtful that it would have made any difference anyway.  So it fell upon poor Ella to try to stem the tide. And since Ella had to stand alone, she was "driven out" like a dog as she put it. 

[Eric_Lowe]

Yes it was then Ella started to regret brining Alicky to Russia. Had she been less "helpful" it would not have taken place. That is why she cried "Poor Nicky ! Poor Russia !" 

[lori_c]

Well, certainly hemophilia was a chance they took when they had their children.  But neither the Imperial Couple, Ella or anyone else could have predicted the tidal wave that seemed to happen with the appearance of Rasputin.  So in reality, those that knew that Alix could be obstinate and single-minded, nobody could have forseen that the coming of Rasputin would be the harbinger of the end of the Empire.  Certainly, the couple themselves didn't see it. 

But that's another topic.  Rasputin was only the tip of a 300 year old iceberg. 

IMO, had the war and distance not seperated the sisters, and had Alix not have isolated herself so much, perhaps she would have found some sort of support system, something she clearly needed - as any parent of a disabled or dying child does.  Had Irene been the one in Russia, would it have made any difference?

[Eric_Lowe]

Yes...Once Her mind was made up, mpthing can made her change her mind. 

[Bsquared]

Well Eric, Alix was determined not to marry Nicky and change religion, but Nicky won her over! She clearly did change her mind.

[dmitri]

hardly a very good example

[lori_c]

I very much doubt it. Alexandra was extremely obstinate and not known for listening to anybody who did not agree with her. She was blind to the reality of many things as she chose not to see.

Yes, I quite agree.  IMO both Nicky and Alix moved through life with blinders on.  Nicky perhaps because that was his defense mechanism, Alix too in her own way.  Though clearly Alix was to blame as was her husband for this character trait as it has serious consequenses and surely they could have changed and been open to discussions and new ideas.

Irene (as well as VMH) seemed to see life and it's trials and victories for what they were, just that.  Irene seemed quite practical and no nonsense but open to discussion at least.
 
I think that the firmness and strong will was a trait that all members of the Hesse children shared.  But Irene does not seem to be as intractable as her younger sister.

[Eric_Lowe]

In her own way, Irene can be hard too. The way she blackmailed Marie Paulova (the younger) to marry against her will and the cutting off of her son and grandson from her will are example of her hardness. 

[lori_c]

Yes, Irene could be as firm an unyielding as Alix.  But IMO not as intractable.  Alix seemed to have an iron will on EVERY issue and wanted to be in control of every situation.  Luckily the man she loved was not the same.

But as far as being obstinate at the risk of the lives of her family (and an Empire), Irene at least was not in that position.

Quite possible she could have as hard as Alix had she been Empress of Russia instead.  But, IMO, Irene always seems in what little I have read of her to fall somewhere in the middle with traits of all of her sisters (both good and bad). 

[dmitri]

Yes I agree. Irene was far more sensible in most things. Sadly for Alexandra she had a weak husband who would not stand up to her and put her politely in her place. He just caved in and let her rule him. That is hardly a sign of a man worthy of being Tsar of the great Russian Empire. Alexander III would have known how to deal with Alexandra. He would have sent her away somewhere out of harm's way.

[Eric_Lowe]

Indeed...If Irene had been Empress...I don't think there would be such a disaster. 

[lori_c]

Yes, IMO, NII knew he wasn't worthy of Ruling Russia and he knew certainly wasn't ready. AIII knew he wasn't ready, describing him as "an absolute child" But that's another story.

Irene and Nicky certainly wouldn't have been a match so her prospects of being a Russian Empress were slim and none.

 However, haven't read very much on her, I would like to know more of how she is remembered?.  All of her siblings seem to remembered for something.  Which characteristic and traits desribe Irene? The siblings stayed close, often visiting at Irene's at least before the War.