Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, was the husband of Queen Elizabeth II and the longest-serving royal consort in history.
He passed away on April 9, 2021, at the age of 99, leaving behind a legacy of service, dedication, and loyalty.
But what many people may not know is that he also had four older sisters, who had fascinating and tragic lives of their own.
In this article, we will explore the stories of Prince Philip’s siblings, who were born into the Greek and Danish royal families, but exiled from their homeland, married into the German nobility, and faced the horrors of the Second World War.
Princess Margarita
Princess Margarita was the eldest sister and the first to marry. In 1931, she wed Gottfried, Prince of Hohenlohe-Langenburg, a grandson of Queen Victoria’s half-sister Princess Feodora of Leiningen.
They had six children, including Prince Kraft, who became the head of the House of Hohenlohe-Langenburg.
Princess Theodora
Princess Theodora was the second sister and married Berthold, Margrave of Baden, in 1931.
He was the son of Prince Maximilian of Baden, who briefly served as the Chancellor of Germany in 1918.
They had three children, including Maximilian, who became the current head of the House of Baden.
Princess Cecilie
Princess Cecilie was the third sister and the most tragic.
She married Georg Donatus, Hereditary Grand Duke of Hesse and by Rhine, in 1931.
He was the grandson of Princess Alice, the daughter of Queen Victoria and the mother of Princess Alice of Battenberg, Philip’s mother.
Princess Sophie
Princess Sophie was the youngest sister and the closest to Philip.
She married Prince Christoph of Hesse, a son of Prince Frederick Charles of Hesse, who was briefly elected as the King of Finland in 1918.
They had five children, including Prince Christoph, who married Princess Michael of Kent, a cousin of Queen Elizabeth II.
FAQs
Who did Prince Philip’s siblings marry?
Prince Philip’s siblings all married German princes, some of whom had Nazi connections or sympathies.
Margarita married Gottfried, Prince of Hohenlohe-Langenburg; Theodora married Berthold, Margrave of Baden; Cecilie married Georg Donatus, Hereditary Grand Duke of Hesse and by Rhine; and Sophie married Prince Christoph of Hesse, and later Prince George William of Hanover.
What happened to Prince Philip’s siblings during the Second World War?
Prince Philip’s siblings faced the horrors of the Second World War, as they were on the opposite side of their brother, who fought for the British Royal Navy.
Some of their husbands served in the German Army or the Nazi party, and were killed or arrested.
Cecilie and her family died in a plane crash in 1937, while on their way to attend a Nazi wedding.
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CONCLUSION
Prince Philip siblings may have existed in the fringes of royal history, but their lives painted a vibrant and diverse portrait.
From artistic passions to unexpected twists, their stories remind us that even royals have families, with complex dynamics, hidden talents, and unbreakable bonds.
More than just shadows behind the throne, they were individuals who carved their own paths, enriching the tapestry of Philip’s life and offering a fascinating glimpse into a world beyond tiaras and protocol.
