Princess Irene of Greece, a lesser-known figure in the annals of European royal history, has a fascinating story that transcends her status as a princess. Born in 1942, Irene was the youngest child of King Paul and Queen Frederika of Greece, a family deeply entwined in the complexities of European royal politics during the tumultuous mid-20th century. Her life was marked by both privilege and tragedy, as she navigated the intricacies of royal life amidst the backdrop of war and social upheaval.
As the wife of Prince Aimone, Duke of Aosta, Irene's life took a dramatic turn, as she became embroiled in the tumultuous world of Italian royal politics. Her marriage to the Duke, a member of the House of Savoy, was marked by both love and duty, as she struggled to balance her own desires with the expectations of her royal role. This article delves into the life of Princess Irene, exploring her experiences as a princess, her marriage, and the challenges she faced in a world dominated by men and tradition.
what is the story of princess irene of greece, wife of king constantine ii
Princess Irene of Greece, born on May 11, 1942, in Cape Town, South Africa, is the youngest child and second daughter of King Paul of the Hellenes and his wife, Queen Frederica. Her life has been marked by both privilege and tragedy, as she navigated the complexities of royal life amidst the backdrop of war and social upheaval. Irene was a talented pianist, trained by the renowned Gina Bachauer, and briefly pursued a career as a professional concert pianist.
Irene's marriage to Prince Aimone, Duke of Aosta, was a significant event in her life. The couple had one child, Prince Amedeo, Duke of Aosta, born in 1943. Her husband, Prince Aimone, was also the King of Croatia from 1941 to 1943, a title he held during World War II. After the war, the family went into exile, and Prince Aimone died in 1948. Princess Irene continued her life in Italy, becoming a member of the Dominican Third Order and engaging in social work.
In recent years, Princess Irene has been involved in various charitable activities, including founding and leading the organization "World in Harmony" from 1986 to 2023. In 2018, she obtained Spanish nationality and renounced her Greek nationality. Her life has been marked by both personal and family struggles, including the health concerns of her brother, King Constantine II, whom she has supported alongside her sister, Queen Sofía of Spain.
what was princess irene of greece's relationship with king constantine ii
Princess Irene of Greece, the younger sister of King Constantine II of Greece, has a close relationship with her brother. She has been involved in various charitable activities and has supported her brother in his endeavors. Princess Irene has also been known to attend family gatherings and events, such as the funeral of King Constantine II, where her presence attracted media attention.
did princess irene of greece have any children with king constantine ii
No, Princess Irene of Greece did not have any children with King Constantine II of Greece. Princess Irene was the younger sister of King Constantine II, and she married Prince Aimone, Duke of Aosta, with whom she had one child, Prince Amedeo, Duke of Aosta.
Many royal romances are played up to be fairytale stories. A young woman meets Prince Charming. The couple falls in love. They then live happily ever after.
Peter and his mother Marie
This was not to be the case of Prince Peter of Greece and Denmark (1908-1980), son of Prince George of Greece and Denmark (1869-1957) and Princess Marie Bonaparte (1882-1962), and his wife Irène. Prince Peter first met Irène, Marquise de Monléon (1904-1990; née Irina Aleksandrovna Ovtchinnikova), in the summer of 1935. The couple did fall for one another, but many obstacles would await them.
Irène
Born in the St. Petersburg of Imperial Russia, Irène was the daughter of Aleksandr Ovtchinnikov and Lydia Zourio. With the fall of the empire, the Ovtchinnikov family fled Russia for Western Europe. In November 1919, at the age of fifteen, Irène married Marquis Jehan de Monléon (1885-1950), the son of Marquis Paul de Monléon and Marie Anne Louise Carré‐Kérisouët. The pair were divorced in 1930; they had no children.
Lewis Sloden in 1915.
Two years later, in November 1932, Irène married Lewis (Louis) Sloden (1892-1961). Mr Sloden worked as an art dealer. In the 1910s, Mr Sloden was hailed as "one of the most perfect ballroom dancers in the world." It was towards the end of this marriage that Irène met the man who was to be her third and final husband: Prince Peter of Greece and Denmark. Irène Ovtchinnikova and Lewis Sloden divorced in 1936.
Prince Peter
In September 1939, Irène Ovtchinnikova, erstwhile Marquise Jehan de Monléon and Mrs Lewis Sloden, wed Prince Peter in a civil ceremony at the Danish consulate at Madras, India. The couple had been in India since March 1939. Needless to say, Peter's parents were not thrilled with their only son's mésalliance with "the Russian woman," as Marie Bonaparte often referred to her daughter-in-law. Prince George ceased communications with his only son. However, Irène and Peter would not be deterred: in June 1941 they were married in a Greek Orthodox ceremony at Jerusalem.
Irène and Peter
Peter and Irène's marriage would stand the test of time in name only. Irène did eventually win over her mother-in-law Princess Marie. Prince Peter and his wife shared an enthusiasm for anthropology: the prince had studied anthropology between 1935-1936 at the London School of Economics under the Polish-born anthropologist Bronisław Malinowski and the New Zealander ethnologist Sir Raymond Firth. Irène assisted Peter with his academic endeavours in the Orient.
Following the fall of the Greek monarchy, Prince Peter and Princess Irène separated, but they never divorced. Making his base in Copenhagen, Peter formed a relationship with a young British woman. Irène went her own way and moved to Hong Kong, before returning to Paris in the twilight of life.
After forty-one years of marriage, Prince Peter of Greece and Denmark died on 15 October 1980 at the National Hospital for Nervous Diseases in London. Peter had been admitted to hospital on 5 October after suffering a brain haemorrhage. On 13 March 1990, Princess Peter of Greece and Denmark died at Paris. She was eighty-five years-old. Irène was buried next to Peter at the Bernstorff Palace Park at Hovedstaden, Denmark.
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More about Prince Peter and his wife Irène can be read in Marie Bonaparte: A Life by Ceclia Bertin.
As we conclude our exploration of Princess Irene of Greece, it is clear that her life has been marked by both privilege and tragedy. Born in 1942, she was the youngest child of King Paul and Queen Frederika of Greece, a family deeply entwined in the complexities of European royal politics during the tumultuous mid-20th century. Her life was marked by both love and duty, as she navigated the intricacies of royal life amidst the backdrop of war and social upheaval. Princess Irene's story serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by women in positions of power, particularly during times of great change and turmoil. Her experiences, though unique, offer valuable insights into the lives of those who have walked the fine line between personal desire and royal obligation.
Princess Irene's legacy extends beyond her own life, as she has left an indelible mark on the world through her charitable work and dedication to her family. Her commitment to World in Harmony, an organization she founded and led from 1986 to 2023, is a testament to her enduring passion for music and her desire to bring people together through the universal language of harmony. As we reflect on Princess Irene's remarkable life, we are reminded of the power of compassion, resilience, and the unwavering dedication to one's family and community. Her story serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration, encouraging us to continue striving for a world where all people can live in harmony, free from the constraints of tradition and expectation. As we bid farewell to Princess Irene, we honor her memory by embracing the values she embodied and continuing to work towards a brighter, more harmonious future for all.
what was princess irene of greece's role in the greek monarchy
Princess Irene of Greece, born on May 11, 1942, was the youngest child and second daughter of King Paul of the Hellenes and his wife, Queen Frederica. She was a member of the Greek royal family and the younger sister of Queen Sofía of Spain and King Constantine II of the Hellenes. Princess Irene did not play a direct role in the Greek monarchy as she was not married to the king or a prince of Greece. Her brother, King Constantine II, was the last king of Greece, ruling from 1964 to 1973. Princess Irene's life was marked by her own pursuits, including her work as a professional concert pianist and her involvement in charitable activities, particularly through the organization "World in Harmony" which she founded and led from 1986 to 2023.
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