Behind royal duty lie family grief, modest means, and letters a daughter writes to her mother.

Alice, Grand Duchess of Hesse joins a biographical sketch with Alice’s own letters, most addressed to Queen Victoria. The second daughter of Victoria and Prince Albert grows up at the British court, where her father takes a close interest in education. When Albert dies, eighteen-year-old Alice becomes a source of support for her grieving mother.

Marriage to Louis of Hesse brings a plainer life, modest means, and unfamiliar daily habits. Alice balances motherhood with public duties in a new country. Her warm, frank letters speak of money, illness, war, and loss. When war reaches German lands, she turns toward practical care for the wounded, supporting hospitals and nursing.

この本で学べること

• A daughter’s private voice Read letters to Queen Victoria that bring royal family life into close view.
• Childhood at the British court Meet Alice within a close family shaped by Prince Albert’s interest in his children’s education.
• Marriage beyond familiar surroundings Follow her adjustment to Hesse, where modest means sit alongside growing family and public duties.
• Care in times of war Discover how Alice turns concern for the wounded into practical support for hospitals and nursing.
• Love alongside grief Find frank reflections on motherhood, illness, and loss in a royal woman’s own words.

どのような方におすすめですか？

Readers who love royal history, family letters and nineteenth century Europe will find a lot here. So will anyone drawn to stories of nursing, women's work and charity.