Why is Princess Helena one of History’s Heroines?

Princess Helena of Schleswig-Holstein is perhaps the least known of Queen Victoria’s nine children. However, like Princess Anne is today, Helena was the hardest working royal of her day. Join me, Shannon McInulty, in today’s post as I explain why Princess Helena is one of History’s Heroines.

Growing up, Helena was the complete opposite of her four sisters and, instead of wearing pretty dresses, baking and hosting tea parties for her parents, she enjoyed analysing mechanics, running outside and getting into fights with her brothers, with her usually throwing the first punch! It was rare that the princess would return home without being covered in dirt. But despite her tomboyish nature, her kind heart made up for all her undignified antics.

Like all young princesses, Helena would regularly accompany her mother and siblings on visits to hospitals and charitable events, something she greatly enjoyed. As she entered adulthood life, Helena continued to take pride in helping those in need and would regularly host free dinners in Windsor Guildhall for children and anyone that was unemployed. She also helped train nurses and cared for wounded soldiers throughout numerous wars. On top of this, she helped establish countless nursing organisations and, in 1870, became one of the founding members of the British Red Cross. Unfortunately for Helena, all of this is commonly overshadowed by her sister, Princess Alice, who died in 1878 after nursing her family through an outbreak of diphtheria.

As with her charitable work, Helena’s artistic talent is often overlooked for Princess Louise’s career as a sculptress. But in 1872, Helena became the first President of the Royal School of Needlework. While she wanted to help “revive a beautiful art,” her main motive was to “provide employment for gentlewomen who were without means of a suitable livelihood”. Helena took an active role in the running of the school and used her status to encourage people to attend events, in turn raising more funds for the school.

Through all her work, Helena suffered greatly with her health but like all strong women, she never let it stop her from making a positive impact on the world.

©️Queen.Victoria.Roses 2024

This article is the intellectual property of Queen.Victoria.Roses and should not be COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances unless permission is given by the author