Princess Marie of Hesse and by Rhine (1874–1878) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Princess Marie |
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Princess Marie in 1878
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| Born | 24 May 1874 New Palace, Darmstadt, Grand Duchy of Hesse, German Empire |
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| Died | 16 November 1878 (aged 4) New Palace, Darmstadt, Grand Duchy of Hesse, German Empire |
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| House | Hesse-Darmstadt | ||||
| Father | Louis IV, Grand Duke of Hesse and by Rhine | ||||
| Mother | Alice of the United Kingdom | ||||
Princess Marie of Hesse and by Rhine (born Marie Viktoria Feodore Leopoldine; May 24, 1874 – November 16, 1878) was a young princess from the House of Hesse-Darmstadt. She was the youngest child and fifth daughter of Louis IV, Grand Duke of Hesse and by Rhine, and Princess Alice of the United Kingdom. Her mother, Princess Alice, was the second daughter of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom. Marie had a very short life, passing away from diphtheria at just four years old. She was buried alongside her mother, who also died from the same illness a few weeks later.
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Early Life of Princess Marie
Princess Marie was born into a large family. She had six older brothers and sisters. These included Victoria, Elizabeth, Irene, Ernest Louis, Frederick, and Alix.
Marie was lovingly called "May" by her family. When she was a baby, her mother, Princess Alice, wrote that "little sister Maly" looked a lot like her older brother Frederick ("Frittie") when he was the same age. She had "quick eyes and two deep dimples in her cheeks."
Growing Up
A few weeks later, Princess Alice described baby "Maly" as having fair skin, light brown hair, and deep blue eyes. As Marie grew older, she smiled very often. Her mother thought Marie looked more like her older sister Victoria, with "fair hair, marked eyebrows, and speaking eyes."
Marie and her sister Alix, who was two years older, were very close. They "made a pretty contrast" together. Their mother found her youngest child "enchanting." As a toddler, Marie would sweetly call her mother "my 'weetheart." Alix was always by Marie's side. The two girls often dressed alike and shared a nursery.
In the summer of 1877, the family enjoyed a trip to the seaside. The two youngest girls, Marie and Alix, brought much joy to their mother. Princess Alice sent photos of them to her own mother, Queen Victoria. She wrote that "May has not such fat cheeks in reality; still it is very dear. The two little girlies are so sweet, so dear, merry, and nice. I don't know which is dearest, they are both so captivating."
The Diphtheria Outbreak
A terrible event struck the grand ducal family in 1878. Marie's sister Victoria later described what happened. On the evening of November 5, the family was together when Victoria felt her neck become stiff. She told her mother, Princess Alice, who thought it might be mumps. Alice even joked that it would be "comical" if everyone caught it.
Victoria felt well enough to read Alice in Wonderland to her younger siblings. Their mother sat nearby, chatting with a friend. Marie jumped up and asked her mother for more cake. Her siblings then asked their friend to play the piano so they could dance. They danced for half an hour and went to bed feeling happy.
Illness Spreads
The next morning, Victoria was diagnosed with diphtheria. This was a serious illness that caused a thick coating in the throat, making it hard to breathe. At three in the morning on November 12, six-year-old Alix also became sick with the disease. Princess Alice ordered a special steam machine to be brought to Alix's room. This was to help Alix breathe and prevent her from choking.
Hours later, Princess Marie ran into her mother's room. She crawled into bed with her mother and kissed her. By that afternoon, Marie also began showing signs of diphtheria. She had a high fever. White spots and a white membrane (a thin layer) covered the back of her throat.
The next day, her sister Irene became ill. On November 14, her brother Ernest and her father Louis also caught diphtheria. Princess Alice and the doctors worked tirelessly to care for the sick family members.
Marie's Passing
On the morning of November 16, Marie tragically choked to death from the membrane covering her throat. Her mother, awakened by the doctors, rushed to the nursery. She found her daughter had already passed away. Alice sat by Marie's body, kissing her face and hands. She tried to find the strength to tell her sick husband. She watched as Marie's small coffin was taken to the family mausoleum.
For weeks, Princess Alice kept Marie's death a secret from the other sick children. They often asked about Marie and tried to send her toys. Elizabeth, who had been sent to stay with her grandmother, was the only child who did not get sick.
The sick children were finally told in early December that Marie had died. Ten-year-old Ernest at first refused to believe the news. Then he broke down in tears. His mother hugged and kissed him, even though there was a risk of getting sick herself.
On December 7, Princess Alice recognized the symptoms of diphtheria in herself. She passed away on the morning of December 14. Her last words included "From Friday to Saturday -- four weeks -- May -- dear Papa." This date was also the anniversary of her own father's death. Alice was buried next to her daughter. A statue by Joseph Boehm was later placed on their tomb, showing Alice holding Marie in her arms.
It is thought that Marie's niece, Grand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna of Russia, was named after her. Maria Nikolaevna was the third daughter of Marie's sister Alix and her husband Nicholas II of Russia. She was also named after the Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna of Russia.
See also
- Maria Alexandrovna (Marie of Hesse)
Images for kids
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Princess Marie in 1878
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Marie with her elder siblings Irene, Alix, and Ernest around 1876.
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Marie in the summer of 1878 at Southampton.
