Princess Helena of Waldeck-Pyrmont, Duchess of Albany (1861-1922)

[PssMarie-Elisabeth]

Helena Frederica Augusta was the daughter of George Victor ofWaldeck-Pyrmont and his wife Helene Wilhelmine of Nassau-Weilburg.

She was born in Arolsen, capital of Waldeck principality, in Germany. She was the sister of Queen Emma of the Netherlands (mother of Queen Wilhelmina and great-grandmother of Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands).

She later met Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany, youngest son of Queen Victoria and upon her suggestion the two became engaged in November of 1881. Helena and Leopold were married on 27 April 1882 in St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle.

The couple had a brief, but happy marriage, ending in Leopold's death from a fall in Cannes, France, in March of 1884. At the time of Leopold's death, Helena was pregnant with their second child. ** Truly sad ** But, Helena would later live to see her many grand-children.

Courtesy of Wikipedia

[Roderick]

Thank you for these wonderful photographs. The Duchess of Albany was a strong minded woman and a very good single parent to her two fatherless children.

[sinulord]

Thanks so much PssMarie-Elizabeth for the great photos.

[PssMarie-Elisabeth]

Originally Posted by sinulord

Thanks so much PssMarie-Elizabeth for the great photos.

You're Welcome ! :)

[Warren]

Here's a wedding pic...

Princess Helene, aged 21, 27 April 1882
.

[PssMarie-Elisabeth]

Originally Posted by Warren

Here's a wedding pic...

Princess Helene, aged 21, 27 April 1882
.

Thanks for sharing ! Warren - a few more images of Princess Helene
(the 3rd photo shows the Duchess of Albany and daughter, Alice of Athlone)

[Warren]

Thanks for more pics Pss Marie-Elisabeth.
In the last pic of the set above, note the snake or serpent 'bracelet' the Duchess is wearing. These seemed to have been quite popular at the time.

[PssMarie-Elisabeth]

You're Welcome, Warren :) - those bracelets are still very popular among some of us young ladies (even today)

[eejm]

I believe the photo above listed as Helena with her children is actually her sister, Marie. She was the Crown Princess of Wurttemburg, first wife of William II. She died a few days after Helena's wedding, giving birth to her third child, a stillborn daughter. Her second child, Ulrich (pictured above) died as an infant. Pauline, Marie's eldest child, is also pictured; she survived to adulthood, married, and had children.

The photo of Helena and her siblings may include sister Pauline instead of Marie. I'm not certain, but I believe this photo was taken after Leopold's death (Helena is in mourning). Marie had died by this point, and Pauline was Helena's only other surviving sister besides Elisabeth and Emma, who are also pictured.