The Story Of Princess Alice: The Royal Family's Best Kept Secret | Before They Were Royal | Journal

A truly remarkable, rarely-told story of the Queen's mother-in-law and Prince Philip's mother, Princess Alice of Battenburg. A woman born into a life of privilege in Windsor Castle, in the presence of her great-grandmother Queen Victoria, her extraordinary life would be defined by struggle, tenacity and an indomitable generosity of spirit. She was born deaf and diagnosed with schizophrenia, yet she would learn to read lips in four languages and dedicate her life to helping others. Serving as a nurse on the frontline during World War II, sheltering Jewish refugees during the Holocaust and founding an order of nursing nuns in Greece, before finally coming to live at Buckingham Palace with Queen Elizabeth II.

This definitive documentary sheds new light on the stranger-than-fiction story of Princess Alice, through rarely seen archive, and interviews with those who know her remarkable story best. It will also explore how her parenting and experiences shaped the modern British monarchy through her son Philip, and her own relationship with her daughter-in-law, Queen Elizabeth II.

[lisaharrod]

A deaf polyglot?!

The woman was a genius! What an extraordinary individual, and what an extraordinary life she lived. She lived through such sweeping, historical change and upheaval.

The loss and sacrifice would break an ordinary person.

And a true beauty...

[robnyer]

She was and still is the Royal Family’s greatest asset. Her outstanding fearless work should be talked about more. She was a remarkable and gracious person.

[DonnaStevens-uovp]

I never realized how much Anne the Princess Royal looks like her grandmother, Princess Alice

[kathleendavis]

More people need to know this incredible woman's full story. Far too often one only hears about the mad princess Alice, which is so unfair!

[sharionsadler]

What an amazing woman ❤ The royal family are lucky to count her as their own.

[skontheroad]

"Alice rose to the challenge!" THAT was the key! Had it been anyone else, the story may have had a very different ending!

[maryg]

This is a much better telling of the story of Princess Alice. The first one I saw a few years ago was brief and showed only pictures of her in her habit at Windsor Castle. Her life story according to them was that she was mainly a recluse walking around in a habit smoking and not at all interested in family. There was nothing about her birth or how she helped people, including the Cohen family, but that she was considered mentally insane. It was terrible account of her. I am glad to know the rest of her story and how she overcame so many obstacles in her personal life and went on to be a hero for those who had absolutely nothing. I am sure she was spicy at times but she was deserving of respect and honor. Thank you for telling her story in a much better, more informative way.

[harriettedley]

This woman was a bright intelligent star in the royal family and was kept in the shadows. She was deaf and learned four languages and to read lips in all. She went through tremendous hardships and had basically a nervous break down and was treated like a pariah by her own family. I would truely love to see a movie based on her life as she was amazing and should go down in history as a true heroine.

[joshuatrees]

What a LIFE! Princess Alice's story is fascinating on its own, and also gives explanation to so much more.

[DMCM]

Princess Alice was a TRUE ROYAL. She acknowledged her privilege and used that privilege to help people in need. She sold her royal jewels to help the poor. May her soul rest in peace

[nancyhammons]

The mental power needed to master a total of 4 languages by just reading lips is astonishing. This woman was a marvel.

[francespulman]

What a wonderful story of this amazing encouraging women
God Bless her.
Rest in Peace
Princess Alice🙏🙏

[strattonskier]

This documentary makes me feel so very sad for Prince Philip. All these years we heard nothing of Prince Philip’s mother, swept under the rug, not a glamorous enough person to be show cased as an incredible human being. My sincere regrets to Prince Philip, may he rest in peace with my total respect to him and his mother.

[junesmallwood]

Imagine being born death and yet learned to read lips in two languages ... a nurse, a caregiver, a mother, and rescued a Jewish family. An angel in heaven

[fatgrl]

She was absolutely stunning as a young princess!

[HopeS]

I would LOVE to see a movie of her real life, indeed I would.

[carolynfletcher]

Princess Alice’s Legacy should be known to the world.
After hearing this, I admire the Royal Family even more for their sincere humanitarian works.
I hope they make Alice’s story known throughout their travels!

[janicebrowningaquino]

How lovely to hear all these details about her life. It touched my heart.

[nicoleb]

Strange to say “before she was royal” when she was born at Windsor Castle in the presence of Queen Victoria and a Princess from birth.

[sth.]

One part of her mental breakdown while in Paris was not mentioned: Her husband abandoned her with the children while he was out hobnobbing and philandering; the one person that should have been an emotional support to her was off doing his own thing.