An Unconventional Princess: 13 Facts About Princess Marie Louise of Schleswig-Holstein

Princess Marie Louise of Schleswig-Holstein. Image from Wikimedia Commons

Franziska Josepha Louise Augusta Marie Christina Helena was born on August 12, 1872 at the Cumberland Lodge, Windsor Great Park, the second daughter and fourth child of Prince Christian of Schleswig-Holstein and his wife, Princess Helena of the United Kingdom, daughter of Queen Victoria. Affectionately known as Louie within the family circle, Marie Louise grew up to become an attractive lady. She gained attention later in life with the dissolution of her marriage with Prince Aribert of Anhalt. She returned home to England and lived with her family where actively engaged in numerous charitable activities while performing her duties as one of the most active members of the British Royal Family. Her zest for excitement and unconventional lifestyle endeared her to the public, making her a popular royal figure both in the country and abroad. Here are some facts about Princess Marie Louise.

1. She was particularly close to her cousin, the future last Czarina of Russia.

Marie Louise and Alix of Hesse, who would later become Empress of Russia, were playmates when they were young and they developed close relationship later on. Marie Louise considers themselves as “more like sisters than cousins”.

2. They grew up in a plain household

 Marie Louise and her siblings were brought out in a simple household, and would often wear hand-me-down clothes.

3. She met her future husband at a cousin's wedding

 She first met Prince Aribert of Anhalt while attending the wedding of her cousin, Viktoria of Prussia, and Adolph of Schaumberg-Lippe in the fall of 1890. She later described him as "very tall and good-looking and a very striking personality," "the beau ideal of a cavalry officer." At the age of 18, Marie Louise "fell completely under his charm" and "fell in love" with him. Their engagement was announced in December that year during a family luncheon at the Neues Palais in Potsdam, then the residence of Marie Louise’s cousin, German Emperor Kaiser Wilhelm II, who also happened to be a close friend of Aribert’s. Kaiser is said to have played matchmaker for the two.

4. They were married in a grand ceremony

 Marie Louise and Aribert married on July 6, 1891 at the St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle, with Queen Victoria in attendance.

5. Her married life wasn't a happy one

Although it started out as promising, the marriage suffered eventually as Aribert prioritized his military service and had little to no interest in building a family. Days would pass with Marie Louise and her husband not seeing each other despite living in the same roof.

6. Her marriage was dissolved, unknown to her

Whilst in Canada on December 13, 1900, her marriage was dissolved, without her knowledge, by her father in law, Friedrich I, Duke of Anhalt, due to her own husband’s insistence. Though the cause of dissolution was never revealed, it is believed that Aribert's alleged homosexuality or bisexuality—specifically an act of indiscretion with a male attendant—played a part.

7. She never married again

Marie Louise, as indicated in her memoirs, remained true to her wedding vows even after the annulment, so she never remarried. She also continued wearing her wedding ring.

8. She spent the rest of her life in charitable endeavours

Following the dissolution of her marriage, Marie Louise devoted much of her time on arts patronage and charitable organizations. She put up the Girl’s Club in Bermondsey that was utilized as a hospital during the First World War.

9. Remember Queen Mary's Dolls?

She was instrumental in the establishment of Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House, a scaled replica of the royal palace showcasing the works of Britain’s most notable craftsmen, artists, and authors.  A graceful dancer and clever musician, Marie Louise was also an able linguist and water color artist.

10. She lived through the reign of five monarchs!

Marie Louise has seen five monarchs ascend the throne of the United Kingdom, with her life spanning the reign of six sovereigns: Queen Victoria (her grandmother), King Edward VII (her uncle), King George V (her first cousin), King Edward VIII and King George VI (her first cousins-once-removed) and Queen Elizabeth II (her first cousin-twice-cousin-twice-removed). She also attended the coronations of King Edward VII, King George V, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II.

11. She traveled extensively

Princess Marie Louise travelled extensively without demanding pomp or attention from the places she visited. She toured Canada, the United States, South America, South Africa, Australia and many more. At the age of 80, she took her first flight when she flew from London for a three-week holiday on Lake Geneva.

12. She was extraordinary royal

Hailed as Britain's most unconventional princess during her lifetime, she reportedly "danced in a street with a Pearly King - one of London's renowned Cockney street traders." She was also reputed
to have been the first princess of the Royal Family to be seen smoking in public, riding in buses, and
using slang.

13. She was a published author.

The princess has published her recollections of her trip to Africa. Her  collection of memoirs, My Memories of Six Reigns, was published in 1956, shortly before her death.

Princess Marie Louise died at her home in Fitzmaurice Place, Berkeley Square. She was buried at the Royal Burial Ground in Windsor Great Park. At that tine, she was the longest-lived member of the British Royal Family, dying at the age of 84. Queen Elizabeth II and other members of the royal family attended her funeral.