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

[Eric_Lowe]

Well she was the most amicable of the bunch, but could sometimes be a busybody...

[edtash]

Really? A busy body? How would you know that?

Eddie

[Eddie_uk]

Eddie - Eric comes out with some story of how dear Irene pushed Grand Duchess Marie into her marriage to spare Ella any grief & how she left her estate to her granddaughter or something etc etc . I'm sure Eric can elaborate on this more...

[bell_the_cat]

Actually her brother Ernie in his memoirs describes her as a bit of a busybody. I was amazed when I read this, as Irene was still alive at the time. I expect he intended it as a light hearted criticism, however. So I agree with Eric on this.

[edtash]

I think Mr. Beeche can illustrate this much better, re: Hemmelmark, since he knows a lot about the situation.

Eddie

[Keith]

Actually her brother Ernie in his memoirs describes her as a bit of a busybody. I was amazed when I read this, as Irene was still alive at the time. I expect he intended it as a light hearted criticism, however. So I agree with Eric on this.

I believe his memoirs weren't published until the early 80's, so Irene may not have been aware that he had even written them.

[grandduchessella]

I think Mr. Beeche can illustrate this much better, re: Hemmelmark, since he knows a lot about the situation.

Eddie

I think Art did write some on the situation on either this thread or another (I hope it's not one of the long-gone ones) but didn't go into too much detail since (it seemed to me anyway) that much information was told to him in the capacity of his friendship with the family rather than in a journalistic capacity.

[Eric_Lowe]

Irene was indeed a busybody...She did not help the situation with Ella and her niece...in fact it made it worse. 

[LisaDavidson]

Well, I am awaiting Ilana Miller's "The 4 Graces" which will feature all 4 Hessian sisters in a group biography. I prefer Ilana's more scholarly analysis to any snap judgements by others, no disrespect intended.

[grandduchessella]

I"ve been waiting for that book since it was semi-announced on this Forum years ago!! I think Art said it would be ready for Christmas. *fingers crossed*

[bell_the_cat]

Actually her brother Ernie in his memoirs describes her as a bit of a busybody. I was amazed when I read this, as Irene was still alive at the time. I expect he intended it as a light hearted criticism, however. So I agree with Eric on this.

I believe his memoirs weren't published until the early 80's, so Irene may not have been aware that he had even written them.

They were püblished in german in the early 1930s - and were in fact originally written for his sons!

[Eric_Lowe]

Thanks for the new info...I think it would be nice to see the fruits of Ilana's work, but I think most will be info on VMH (Ilana favorite subject) ! I have talked to Ilana a few times about this. 

[HerrKaiser]

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

Respectfully disagree vehemently with this idea. There is no evidence and no political or social means that a different wife for NII would have quelled the Bolshevik agendas, altered the vastly overwhelming Russian system, or had any different impact on the outcome the Romanov's suffered. While Alexandra had Nicky under control personally and to some extent by thusting him forth to say/do ill-advised things, he was a victim not only of his incompetence but also of the huge tsunami of opposition both revolutionary and among his own circle of people with some power. Irene, I think, would have been no more different in net effects vs her sister than vanilla ice cream is to vanilla with almonds; same flavor just a relatively small difference ...nothing that would have changed the course of events during his reign.

[Eric_Lowe]

Yet...There would still be a difference. Maybe had Irene became Empress, the family might have survived ? 

[Keith]

Actually her brother Ernie in his memoirs describes her as a bit of a busybody. I was amazed when I read this, as Irene was still alive at the time. I expect he intended it as a light hearted criticism, however. So I agree with Eric on this.

I believe his memoirs weren't published until the early 80's, so Irene may not have been aware that he had even written them.

They were püblished in german in the early 1930s - and were in fact originally written for his sons!

Thanks for the info, I had only seen an 80's publication date. Must have been a reprint.