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Queen Victoria's Favourite Granddaughter: Princess Victoria of Hesse and by Rhine, the Most Consequential Royal You Never Knew
In the Fall of 1947, an eighty-four-year-old woman receives an extraordinary invitation. Though much that happened was a lifetime ago and in a different world, Princess Victoria of Hesse and by Rhine, now the Dowager Marchioness of Milford Haven, holds the heavy vellum envelop for a moment in her hands. Within is the end of a long journey seeking vindication for a husband who gave his life to the service of the Royal Navy and received, in return, ingratitude. Within is the reminder of a life lived with her family that is mostly gone. However, for one exquisite moment, it returns as she opens the
The Lord Chamberlain is commanded by Their Majesties to invite The Dowager Marchioness of Milford Haven to the Ceremony of the Marriage of Her Royal Highness The Princess Elizabeth, with Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten, Royal Navy in Westminster Abbey, on Thursday, 20th November 1947, at 11.30 o’clock, a.m.
Thus begins the story of Princess Victoria of Hesse and by Rhine. Victoria, the eldest daughter of Princess Alice and Prince Ludwig of Hesse, was born in April 1863. One of the envied grandchildren of Queen Victoria, she was related to most of the Royal Families of Europe – a member of the fabled “Royal Mob”.
The obstacles that characterized Victoria’s life began with her mother’s untimely death. Queen Victoria helped her granddaughter shoulder the responsibilities of caring for the motherless family, writing letters of advice and guidance, a correspondence lasting some thirty years.
In April 1884, Victoria married the dashing Prince Louis of Battenberg, an officer in the Royal Navy, who eventually became Britain’s First Sea Lord. Their daughter, Alice, was the future mother of Prince Philip and their youngest child, another Louis, was Viceroy of India.
On the eve of World War I, Prince Louis of Battenberg, was forced to resign because of his German surname, which he later changed to Mountbatten. Victoria’s sister, Alix, who had taken the name Alexandra when she married Tsar Nicholas II of Russia, and her entire family was murdered in 1918.
Progressive and intelligent, Victoria was the lynchpin of her family. Through cataclysms, both familial and historical, travelling from pre-revolutionary Russia to the British Mandate of Palestine, Victoria’s life was as exciting as it was triumphant.
The Lord Chamberlain is commanded by Their Majesties to invite The Dowager Marchioness of Milford Haven to the Ceremony of the Marriage of Her Royal Highness The Princess Elizabeth, with Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten, Royal Navy in Westminster Abbey, on Thursday, 20th November 1947, at 11.30 o’clock, a.m.
Thus begins the story of Princess Victoria of Hesse and by Rhine. Victoria, the eldest daughter of Princess Alice and Prince Ludwig of Hesse, was born in April 1863. One of the envied grandchildren of Queen Victoria, she was related to most of the Royal Families of Europe – a member of the fabled “Royal Mob”.
The obstacles that characterized Victoria’s life began with her mother’s untimely death. Queen Victoria helped her granddaughter shoulder the responsibilities of caring for the motherless family, writing letters of advice and guidance, a correspondence lasting some thirty years.
In April 1884, Victoria married the dashing Prince Louis of Battenberg, an officer in the Royal Navy, who eventually became Britain’s First Sea Lord. Their daughter, Alice, was the future mother of Prince Philip and their youngest child, another Louis, was Viceroy of India.
On the eve of World War I, Prince Louis of Battenberg, was forced to resign because of his German surname, which he later changed to Mountbatten. Victoria’s sister, Alix, who had taken the name Alexandra when she married Tsar Nicholas II of Russia, and her entire family was murdered in 1918.
Progressive and intelligent, Victoria was the lynchpin of her family. Through cataclysms, both familial and historical, travelling from pre-revolutionary Russia to the British Mandate of Palestine, Victoria’s life was as exciting as it was triumphant.
- GenresHistoryNonfiction
419 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 30, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
2024
October 7, 2025Non-fiction November TBR
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Pen & Sword History
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Pen & Sword History
November 1, 2025
Very interesting if a bit dry. Keeping track of the family tree was a bit like watching a sporting match!
June 23, 2025
Queen Victoria's Favorite Granddaughter
I thoroughly enjoyed this book about Princess Victoria of Battenberg. It is refreshing to read a biography that covers not just the immediate family but extended family without making it confusing. Miss Miller, thank you for a wonderful book.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book about Princess Victoria of Battenberg. It is refreshing to read a biography that covers not just the immediate family but extended family without making it confusing. Miss Miller, thank you for a wonderful book.
January 12, 2025
I rate this 4.5 out of 5.
I received a free copy of this book from Pen & Sword History via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I wanted to read this book for two reasons. First, I love learning about the British Monarchy, which is pretty evident from my reading history. Second, I know almost nothing about Queen Victoria's family outside the British line, which descended from Edward VII and I love learning about new historical figures.
In terms of a biographies of Princess Victoria of Hesse and by Rhine I would rate this as a 4 out of 5. There is a plentiful amount of letters and primary sources used to describe her life and personality. However, she does sometimes fall into the background as other members of her family take precedence. That being said if this was a book on the children of Princess Alice of Great Britain, later Grand Duchess of Hesse and by Rhine I would give this a 6 out of 5. I loved learning about the relationships between the five siblings, Victoria, Elizabeth (Ella), Irene, Ernest, and Alix (Alexandra) [two children Marie and Frederick died in childhood].
Overall, Miller was able to vividly describe the life and times of Princess Victoria. Although she does not outright psychoanalyze Princess Victoria, Miller does examine how the tragic events of Princess Victoria's childhood and later of the First World War shaped and impacted her personality and relationships. In many ways, Miller proves the title correct. Princess Victoria was the favourite granddaughter of Queen Victoria which is demonstrated by how close the two women were throughout their lives and their letters. Given the untimely death of Grand Duchess Alice, it makes sense that Queen Victoria would step in as a substitute mother and that Princess Victoria would take on many of her attributes. Nevertheless, Miller also makes it clear that Grand Duchess Alice's intellectual talents were greatly influential in shaping Princess Victoria's early years.
My favourite parts of the book were the way that the relationships between Princess Victoria and her sisters (to a lesser extent also with Ernest) were depicted. Two of her sisters became Grand Duchesses of Russia through their marriages, Elizabeth (Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna) and Alix (who later became Empress Alexandra Feodorovna of Russia). While Irene became Princess Henry of Prussia. As a result of their marriages when armed conflict broke out during the First World War and later the Second the sisters often found themselves on opposing sides. The way that they maintained their familial connections through these trials was often heartwrenching to read. I also felt this book has given me new insights into Alix's character and how that later shaped her time as Empress.
This is an incredibly well-researched and well-written biography and I would recommend it to anyone interested in women's history or learning more about the extended Windsor Family. Princess Victoria was the favourite granddaughter of Queen Victoria and Grandmother to Prince Consort Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh. Thus making her an important figure in the dynasty.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Bullying, Cancer, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Infidelity, Misogyny, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Antisemitism
Minor: Infertility, Racism, Sexual violence, and Religious Bigotry
Content Warning Notes: Still-births are briefly mentioned.
Although flagged with some of the other content warnings listed above toward the end of this book there is a very detailed description from letters within the family of how Elizabeth was murdered by the Bolsheviks. Alix's murder is also briefly discussed.
I received a free copy of this book from Pen & Sword History via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I wanted to read this book for two reasons. First, I love learning about the British Monarchy, which is pretty evident from my reading history. Second, I know almost nothing about Queen Victoria's family outside the British line, which descended from Edward VII and I love learning about new historical figures.
In terms of a biographies of Princess Victoria of Hesse and by Rhine I would rate this as a 4 out of 5. There is a plentiful amount of letters and primary sources used to describe her life and personality. However, she does sometimes fall into the background as other members of her family take precedence. That being said if this was a book on the children of Princess Alice of Great Britain, later Grand Duchess of Hesse and by Rhine I would give this a 6 out of 5. I loved learning about the relationships between the five siblings, Victoria, Elizabeth (Ella), Irene, Ernest, and Alix (Alexandra) [two children Marie and Frederick died in childhood].
Overall, Miller was able to vividly describe the life and times of Princess Victoria. Although she does not outright psychoanalyze Princess Victoria, Miller does examine how the tragic events of Princess Victoria's childhood and later of the First World War shaped and impacted her personality and relationships. In many ways, Miller proves the title correct. Princess Victoria was the favourite granddaughter of Queen Victoria which is demonstrated by how close the two women were throughout their lives and their letters. Given the untimely death of Grand Duchess Alice, it makes sense that Queen Victoria would step in as a substitute mother and that Princess Victoria would take on many of her attributes. Nevertheless, Miller also makes it clear that Grand Duchess Alice's intellectual talents were greatly influential in shaping Princess Victoria's early years.
My favourite parts of the book were the way that the relationships between Princess Victoria and her sisters (to a lesser extent also with Ernest) were depicted. Two of her sisters became Grand Duchesses of Russia through their marriages, Elizabeth (Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna) and Alix (who later became Empress Alexandra Feodorovna of Russia). While Irene became Princess Henry of Prussia. As a result of their marriages when armed conflict broke out during the First World War and later the Second the sisters often found themselves on opposing sides. The way that they maintained their familial connections through these trials was often heartwrenching to read. I also felt this book has given me new insights into Alix's character and how that later shaped her time as Empress.
This is an incredibly well-researched and well-written biography and I would recommend it to anyone interested in women's history or learning more about the extended Windsor Family. Princess Victoria was the favourite granddaughter of Queen Victoria and Grandmother to Prince Consort Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh. Thus making her an important figure in the dynasty.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Bullying, Cancer, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Infidelity, Misogyny, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Antisemitism
Minor: Infertility, Racism, Sexual violence, and Religious Bigotry
Content Warning Notes: Still-births are briefly mentioned.
Although flagged with some of the other content warnings listed above toward the end of this book there is a very detailed description from letters within the family of how Elizabeth was murdered by the Bolsheviks. Alix's murder is also briefly discussed.
August 19, 2024
I requested and received an eARC of Queen Victoria's Favourite Granddaughter: Princess Victoria of Hesse and by Rhine, the Most Consequential Royal You Never Knew by Ilana D. Miller. I was glad I was granted access to this title soon after finishing a wonderful volume about Queen Victoria and the Prime Ministers who served during her reign. When it comes to Victoria’s children and grandchildren, perhaps aside from Vicky and Edward VII, it becomes difficult to remember who is who! So, who is Victoria of Hesse and by Rhine? The daughter of Victoria’s third child, Princess Alice, who married Louis IV, Grand Duke of Hesse and by Rhine.
Victoria lived a long life that witnessed many tragedies which is something Miller highlights in the introduction to the text. Born in 1863 and dying in 1950, a month after the birth of Princess Anne, she lived through both world wars and the downfall of many of her family members (i.e the killing of the Romanovs.) She enjoyed a special relationship with her grandmother and they exchanged many letters during their lifetime (I’m not sure how Queen Victoria managed to do much more than write letters continuously for the entirety of her reign!) The introduction is accompanied by an overview of Princess Victoria’s immediate family with brief descriptions of who each individual is. I found this very helpful, because as I’ve mentioned it is difficult to distinguish one member of the family from another thanks to Queen Victoria and Albert’s bounty of children and their subsequent marriages.
I found this to be a fun and informative read that really complimented my previous reading of Queen Victoria’s family. This is much more than a look at Victoria’s life, but also an exploration of a very turbulent time in history, spanning from the late nineteenth century through two world wars. My favorite sections were those that delved into Victoria’s childhood, with her siblings, and the death of her mother, Princess Alice, but I also enjoyed the later bits that explored the death of Alix and Ella. Miller does a terrific job of relaying these events in a well-rounded way that prioritizes how deeply affected Victoria was by them (all while trying to spare Ernie from some of the more horrific details.) Phenomenal work with just the right blend of history and gossip that kept my attention the entire time (and often made me say to myself, “If only they had listened to Victoria!”)
Victoria lived a long life that witnessed many tragedies which is something Miller highlights in the introduction to the text. Born in 1863 and dying in 1950, a month after the birth of Princess Anne, she lived through both world wars and the downfall of many of her family members (i.e the killing of the Romanovs.) She enjoyed a special relationship with her grandmother and they exchanged many letters during their lifetime (I’m not sure how Queen Victoria managed to do much more than write letters continuously for the entirety of her reign!) The introduction is accompanied by an overview of Princess Victoria’s immediate family with brief descriptions of who each individual is. I found this very helpful, because as I’ve mentioned it is difficult to distinguish one member of the family from another thanks to Queen Victoria and Albert’s bounty of children and their subsequent marriages.
I found this to be a fun and informative read that really complimented my previous reading of Queen Victoria’s family. This is much more than a look at Victoria’s life, but also an exploration of a very turbulent time in history, spanning from the late nineteenth century through two world wars. My favorite sections were those that delved into Victoria’s childhood, with her siblings, and the death of her mother, Princess Alice, but I also enjoyed the later bits that explored the death of Alix and Ella. Miller does a terrific job of relaying these events in a well-rounded way that prioritizes how deeply affected Victoria was by them (all while trying to spare Ernie from some of the more horrific details.) Phenomenal work with just the right blend of history and gossip that kept my attention the entire time (and often made me say to myself, “If only they had listened to Victoria!”)
November 3, 2024
Some people live almost completely overshadowed by their families. Victoria of Hesse tends to be considered first a footnote in the stories of her sister's tragic ends and later in her grandson's ascent to prince consort. This biography is intended to give Victoria her due as matriarch of her branch of the British royal family.
Unfortunately, it does not suceed. Victoria lived for 87 years, a long well-travelled life that cannot be smushed into 179 pages. What we end up with is a very short, very dry listing of events interspersed with letter excerpts. Miller also cannot bring herself and her subject out of the weight of hindsight, constantly alluding to future events. Too much attention is given to certain tragic ends, so it never feels that we are following Victoria through her life - we are merely marking time until the first world war. Miller is yet another author that cannot act normal about Alix and Ella, an odd position for someone writing about the people closest to them.
Miller also cannot stick to her timeline. She constantly gives in to the urge to foreshadow people's deaths and other tragedies, often years before the event occurs. And then we have to read it again when we get to that year! She also breezes over much of the details - Victoria travelled all over Europe year after year, but all we mostly get is a quick note that it happened. Something must have occured on these trips but they're not in the book.
Perhaps my expectations were too high. I was very excited to see a biography dedicated to Victoria, who is usually only mentioned in passing in other books about her family. Perhaps it was the title. If you're just starting to look into the Hesse family, this is a good starting point. Miller does a good job of explaining family connections and nicknames. She covers the broad strokes, but we'll have to look elsewhere for more detail.
Also, the hardcover has some formatting problems. The chapter titles do not always match the content inside the chapter. For example, the chapter titled 'Malta' is the chapter after Victoria and Louis's time in Malta. No Maltas occur in the Malta chapter.
Unfortunately, it does not suceed. Victoria lived for 87 years, a long well-travelled life that cannot be smushed into 179 pages. What we end up with is a very short, very dry listing of events interspersed with letter excerpts. Miller also cannot bring herself and her subject out of the weight of hindsight, constantly alluding to future events. Too much attention is given to certain tragic ends, so it never feels that we are following Victoria through her life - we are merely marking time until the first world war. Miller is yet another author that cannot act normal about Alix and Ella, an odd position for someone writing about the people closest to them.
Miller also cannot stick to her timeline. She constantly gives in to the urge to foreshadow people's deaths and other tragedies, often years before the event occurs. And then we have to read it again when we get to that year! She also breezes over much of the details - Victoria travelled all over Europe year after year, but all we mostly get is a quick note that it happened. Something must have occured on these trips but they're not in the book.
Perhaps my expectations were too high. I was very excited to see a biography dedicated to Victoria, who is usually only mentioned in passing in other books about her family. Perhaps it was the title. If you're just starting to look into the Hesse family, this is a good starting point. Miller does a good job of explaining family connections and nicknames. She covers the broad strokes, but we'll have to look elsewhere for more detail.
Also, the hardcover has some formatting problems. The chapter titles do not always match the content inside the chapter. For example, the chapter titled 'Malta' is the chapter after Victoria and Louis's time in Malta. No Maltas occur in the Malta chapter.
November 5, 2024
Queen Victoria's Favourite Granddaughter by Ilana D Miller tells of the life of an extraordinary woman who lived a long life that spanned many historic events. Born to Alice, a daughter of Queen Victoria and her husband Albert, Victoria was brought into world that was changing, even from the first days of her birth.
Her royal grandmother doted on her as her favorite among her army of grandchildren, who spread across the world like a royal web. Victoria's sisters also lived incredible lives, her youngest sister becoming the Tsarina of Russia, who perished in the Russian Revolution. Victoria's mother died young, and the English Queen took Victoria under her wing. As she grew, she married a man of her choice, persuading the aging, dominant Grandmother to approve of her selection.
Victoria lived a long life, experiencing losing two of her sisters to the Russian Revolution and World War I. She experienced a wide collection of technological advances, and then survived through World War II. She died in her late eighties, but not before experiencing the birth of another ruler of England, the current Charles III.
I highly recommend this quick and detailed history of a royal women who was a front row viewer to so much history. If you do not have a background in Victorian history, or are interested in viewing it from a new angle, this book would be a great addition to your collection!
I would like to thank Pen & Sword and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.
Her royal grandmother doted on her as her favorite among her army of grandchildren, who spread across the world like a royal web. Victoria's sisters also lived incredible lives, her youngest sister becoming the Tsarina of Russia, who perished in the Russian Revolution. Victoria's mother died young, and the English Queen took Victoria under her wing. As she grew, she married a man of her choice, persuading the aging, dominant Grandmother to approve of her selection.
Victoria lived a long life, experiencing losing two of her sisters to the Russian Revolution and World War I. She experienced a wide collection of technological advances, and then survived through World War II. She died in her late eighties, but not before experiencing the birth of another ruler of England, the current Charles III.
I highly recommend this quick and detailed history of a royal women who was a front row viewer to so much history. If you do not have a background in Victorian history, or are interested in viewing it from a new angle, this book would be a great addition to your collection!
I would like to thank Pen & Sword and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.
September 24, 2025
Some books are not bad, but you do wonder what their point is. Victoria of Hesse definitely deserves a hefty biography. Her greatest legacy was being a witness to historical events she herself was not directly involved in, and being one of the people who held together the huge net of European royalty with her influence and advice. But that in itself is the chief problem. Instead of reading ABOUT Victoria, the book is really just a chronological narrative of the lives of her more famous relatives, interspersed with her musings and notes taken from her correspondence. Furthermore, Ilana D Miller has already written a book about all four Hesse sisters, and this slim volume does not offer much more. In the end, the question: Who is this book for? Those already familiar with Victoria will find little new information. Those wanting to be introduced to Victoria will probably go mad trying to keep up with the names and relationships. Finally, I felt more editing was needed, as the author kept giving out information that would, without fault, come back later in almost the same form and words. A disappointment.
September 11, 2024
I enjoyed this book, but there wasn’t a huge amount of information on Princess Victoria. There were a lot of details around what was happening in the wider family at the time, and sometimes her thoughts. With all the research that Miller had done and the sources, she’d used, I think it could have been more meaty and detailed.
A fascinating life though. For royal historians, she is a must-get-to-know character. Related to all of the royal houses of Europe through both sets of parents and then by marriage, she was at the forefront of all major royal events. Spanning both world wars and the upheaval of it, she would have had some fascinating stories.
A fascinating life though. For royal historians, she is a must-get-to-know character. Related to all of the royal houses of Europe through both sets of parents and then by marriage, she was at the forefront of all major royal events. Spanning both world wars and the upheaval of it, she would have had some fascinating stories.
December 5, 2024
I am so impressed! I know a lot about Victoria, born princess of Hesse later the Marchioness of Milford Haven, because I wrote a novel THE ROMANOV BRIDES, in which she is a major character. But there has never before been a proper biography of her—one encompassing the whole amazing 87-years of her life and drawing extensively on primary sources. Now Dr Ilana Miller has produced one, full of detail and insight. And one is gripped by the slings and arrows of fate that this intelligent, pragmatic, and opinionated princess must confront. The sections that deal with her baby sister Alix, later Alexandra last tsarina of Russia, are particularly poignant. Highly recommended!
October 19, 2024
I love books about history especially about Queen Victoria. So when Queen Victoria's Favourite Granddaughter
by Ilana D Miller came available I had to request and read it. WoW this book was brilliant and full an interesting fascinating facts throughout. I really enjoyed reading this book and I highly recommend it especially if you love history.
by Ilana D Miller came available I had to request and read it. WoW this book was brilliant and full an interesting fascinating facts throughout. I really enjoyed reading this book and I highly recommend it especially if you love history.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews