Princess Helena Victoria Of Schleswig-Holstein

Princess Helena Victoria of Schleswig-Holstein, also known as Victoria Louise Sophia Augusta Amelia Helena, was born on 3 May 1870 at Frogmore House near Windsor Castle. She was a granddaughter of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom. Her parents were Prince Christian of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Augustenburg and Princess Helena of the United Kingdom. Her father was the third son of Christian, Duke of Augustenburg, and Countess Louise Sophie of Danneskiold-Samsøe. Her mother was the fifth child of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.

Princess Helena Victoria was baptized on 20 June 1870 in the private chapel at Windsor Castle. Her godparents included Queen Victoria, the Duchess of Cambridge, Princess Louise, Prince Arthur, Prince Leopold, Prince Valdemar of Denmark, Prince Edward of Saxe-Weimar, Princess Louise Auguste of Schleswig-Holstein, and Princess Caroline Amelie of Schleswig-Holstein.

Her childhood was spent primarily at Cumberland Lodge, her father's residence situated within Windsor Great Park. Known within her family as "Thora," she also received the nickname "the Snipe," a reference to her facial features. Formal names she used included Helena Victoria, one of her six given names.

Princess Helena Victoria participated as a bridesmaid in several notable royal weddings, including the marriage of her maternal aunt Princess Beatrice to Prince Henry of Battenberg in 1885, and the wedding of the future King George V and Queen Mary in 1893.

During the First World War, significant changes took place in her titles and family designation. In July 1917, King George V officially changed his family’s name from the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha to the House of Windsor. Simultaneously, he relinquished the use of German titles and surnames on behalf of himself and his relatives. Following this, Helena Victoria and her sister Princess Marie Louise ceased to use their territorial designation "of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Augustenburg" and were known as "Her Highness Princess Helena Victoria" and "Her Highness Princess Marie Louise." Despite their German titles, they were raised and resided entirely within England.

Throughout her life, Helena Victoria remained unmarried. She dedicated herself to charitable work, most notably with the YMCA, Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA), and Princess Christian's Nursing Home at Windsor. During the First World War, she founded the YWCA Women's Auxiliary Force, serving as its president. Her activities included visiting British troops in France and organizing entertainment for them, with approval from the Secretary of State for War, Lord Kitchener.

Between the wars, she and her sister were patrons of music at their London residence, Schomberg House. In 1940, after the house was damaged during a German air raid, they relocated to Fitzmaurice Place, Berkeley Square.

In later years, she experienced ill health and was a wheelchair user after World War II. She made a notable appearance at the wedding of her first cousin twice removed, Princess Elizabeth (later Queen Elizabeth II), to Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark in November 1947.

Princess Helena Victoria died on 13 March 1948 at Fitzmaurice Place, Berkeley Square, at the age of 77. Her funeral took place on 17 March 1948 at St. George's Chapel, Windsor. Her coffin was draped with the Union Jack, and flowers included wreaths from her sister Princess Marie Louise, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, and other members of the royal family. She was buried at the Royal Burial Ground, Frogmore, Windsor Great Park. Her estate was valued at £52,435 at probate, equivalent to approximately £1.3 million in 2022 currency.

Her titles changed over her lifetime, initially styled as Her Highness Princess Victoria of Schleswig-Holstein from her birth until 14 July 1917, after which she was known as Her Highness Princess Helena Victoria until her death. Although she was granted the style of Highness at birth, she was not formally granted the titles of Princess of Great Britain and Ireland nor of the United Kingdom.

Her honours included the Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire (1918), Dame Grand Cross of the Order of St John (1928), and various others, along with foreign honours such as the Dame of the Royal Order of Queen Maria Luisa.