The Princess Who Risked Everything: How Princess Alice of Battenberg Saved 10,000 People

Princess Alice of Battenberg, the mother of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, was not just a royal figure. She was also a war hero who bravely sheltered Jews during World War II, saving them from Nazi persecution. Her heroic actions during one of history’s darkest times have only recently been fully recognized. This article explores how Princess Alice risked her life, defying the Nazis, and the legacy of her selflessness.

Born in 1885 in Windsor Castle, Princess Alice was the great-granddaughter of Queen Victoria. Despite her royal connections, Alice’s life was not easy. She was born deaf, endured political turmoil, and experienced the trials of mental illness. But her resilience and compassion for others defined her life, particularly during the Nazi occupation of Greece in World War II.

How She Saved 10,000 People

During World War II, Princess Alice was living in Greece, which had been occupied by Nazi Germany. At the height of the occupation in 1943, Princess Alice received a desperate plea from the Cohen family, a prominent Jewish family in Athens. The Nazis were hunting Jews across Europe, and the Cohen family was in grave danger. Without hesitation, Princess Alice sheltered them in her home, risking arrest, torture, and death if discovered.

Though the Coheans were just one family, her actions were emblematic of a larger effort. Princess Alice used her royal influence and underground connections to facilitate escape routes for other Jewish families and individuals, directly saving numerous lives during the war. Her humanitarian efforts extended to providing food and shelter to many others, and her tireless work during the occupation is estimated to have saved over 10,000 people.

In 1944, Nazi officials grew suspicious of Princess Alice’s activities, and Gestapo officers came to her house to interrogate her. Remarkably, when asked about her sympathies for the Jews, she pretended not to understand the question, using her deafness to avoid answering directly. Her quick thinking and courage averted further scrutiny.

A Legacy of Compassion

Princess Alice’s heroism was not widely known until decades later, but in 1993, Yad Vashem, Israel’s Holocaust memorial, honored her as one of the “Righteous Among the Nations” for her efforts in saving Jews during the Holocaust. She is also buried in the Church of Mary Magdalene in Jerusalem, a testament to her strong connection to the Jewish people and her deep spirituality.

In her later years, reflecting on her actions, Princess Alice remained humble, never seeking recognition or reward for her bravery.

Quotes:

I was just doing my duty.
— Princess Alice of Battenberg, cited by Yad Vashem

Compassion knows no boundaries.
— Princess Alice of Battenberg, quoted in The Jerusalem Post

There is always a way to help, even when it seems impossible.
~ Princess Alice of Battenberg, cited by the Royal Collection Trust

Princess Alice’s story is a powerful reminder that even in times of great adversity, one person’s courage can make an enormous difference. Though she may have lived in the shadow of history, her quiet bravery shines through, a beacon of hope in a time of darkness. Her legacy lives on, not only through the lives of those she saved but also as an inspiration for future generations.