Princess Viktoria of Prussia facts for kids
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Princess Viktoria of Prussia (born Friederike Amalia Wilhelmine Viktoria; 12 April 1866 – 13 November 1929) was a German princess. She was the second daughter of Frederick III, German Emperor and his wife Victoria, Princess Royal. Her mother was the eldest daughter of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom.
Viktoria grew up in a family that loved British culture. She fell in love with Alexander of Battenberg, the Prince of Bulgaria. However, their marriage was not allowed. Later, Viktoria married Prince Adolf of Schaumburg-Lippe. Adolf died during the First World War. In 1927, Viktoria married a much younger university student, which caused a big stir. She passed away at age 63 in Bonn.
Contents
Early Life
Birth and Family
Viktoria was born on 12 April 1866 at the New Palace in Potsdam. Her parents were Crown Prince Frederick William and Crown Princess Victoria of Prussia. Her father was the son of King Wilhelm I of Prussia. Her mother, Victoria (called "Vicky"), was the daughter of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom.
Viktoria was christened on 24 May 1866. She was named Friederike Amalia Wilhelmine Viktoria. Her grandmother, Queen Victoria, was one of her godparents. Her family often called her "Moretta" or "little Vicky."
Childhood and Education
Viktoria was the fifth child and second daughter of her parents. When she was very young, her older brother, Sigismund, died. This sad event made her mother decide to raise her younger children herself. Viktoria and her younger siblings, Waldemar, Sophie, and Margaret, were very close to their parents.
Viktoria and her siblings lived in two main homes. These were the New Palace in Potsdam and the Kronprinzenpalais in Berlin. In 1871, her grandfather Wilhelm I became the German Emperor. Her parents became the Crown Prince and Princess of the new German Empire.
Viktoria's parents wanted their children to have a good education. They wanted it to be like the one Vicky had in Britain. Viktoria and her younger siblings had British nannies. They also visited their family in Britain often. Viktoria was an active and happy child. She enjoyed dancing and riding her Shetland pony. She also liked gardening and cooking.
Young Adult Years
A Royal Romance
In 1881, Alexander, Prince of Bulgaria, visited the Prussian court. He was the ruler of Bulgaria. Viktoria's mother and grandmother thought he would be a good husband for Viktoria. At 16, Viktoria quickly fell in love with Alexander.
Her parents wanted them to marry. However, many in her family were against it. Her older siblings, grandparents, and Otto von Bismarck did not approve. Alexander's actions in Bulgaria upset the Russian tsar. Also, Alexander's family background was not as royal as Viktoria's. By 1888, the marriage plans had to be given up.
A Time of Change
As Viktoria’s hopes for marrying Alexander faded, her family faced changes. Her grandfather, Emperor Wilhelm I, passed away in 1888. Her father, Crown Prince Frederick William, became emperor but was very ill. He died just 99 days later. Viktoria’s oldest brother, Wilhelm II, became the new emperor. He stopped any chance of Viktoria marrying Alexander. Alexander sent back all of Viktoria's letters and gifts.
Viktoria, now 22, worried about her future. She tried to change her appearance. She was very strict with her diet. Her mother sent her to Britain to rest and spend time with family.
Looking for a Husband
After her plans with Alexander ended, Viktoria's mother and grandmother looked for other husbands for her. Prince Carl of Sweden was suggested, but he did not want to marry her. Other princes were also considered. Even a British captain was suggested by Queen Victoria.
Viktoria's older sister, Charlotte, sometimes gossiped about her. Viktoria began to think she would never marry. She told her grandmother that she was no longer interested in marriage.
First Marriage and Adult Life
Wedding Bells
In June 1890, Viktoria met Prince Adolf of Schaumburg-Lippe. He was a younger son of Adolf I, Prince of Schaumburg-Lippe. Adolf proposed to Viktoria on 11 June. Viktoria's mother was not happy at first. She thought Adolf was not good enough for her daughter. However, Viktoria's brother, Wilhelm II, supported the marriage.
Viktoria and Adolf married on 19 November 1890. The ceremony was held in Berlin. Many royal guests attended. Viktoria wore a beautiful cream satin wedding gown. After the wedding, they went on a long honeymoon. They traveled through Europe and the Mediterranean. During their trip, Viktoria had a miscarriage. They did not have any children after that. Viktoria and Adolf had a peaceful marriage. Adolf passed away in 1916.
Life as Princess Adolf
Adolf bought a beautiful palace in Bonn, called the Palais Schaumburg. Viktoria often felt lonely there because Adolf was busy with his military duties. She lived a quiet life in Bonn. She often visited her large family.
Viktoria enjoyed decorating and other hobbies. Adolf even built tennis courts for her. But soon, Viktoria felt bored and unhappy. She struggled with her health again. In 1893, she was treated for anemia.
From 1895 to 1897, Adolf was the regent of the Principality of Lippe. This meant he ruled the area for a young prince who was not able to. Viktoria enjoyed her new public duties as the regent's wife. Her spirits improved during this time.
In 1898, Viktoria's mother, Vicky, became ill. Viktoria was in a carriage accident in 1901 but was not badly hurt. Her mother passed away on 5 August 1901.
Later Life
War and Changes
In 1914, the First World War began. This was hard for Viktoria. She loved her mother's British homeland. Even though her brother was the Kaiser of Germany, Viktoria felt for the British.
In 1916, her husband Adolf died. In 1918, her brother Wilhelm II had to give up his throne. German royals lost their titles. After the war, Viktoria met her cousin, the future King George VI of the United Kingdom. She hoped they could be friends again soon. But George told her that the British felt a lot of anger towards Germany.
After Adolf's death, Viktoria asked her brother if she could marry one of Adolf's nephews. Wilhelm said no. After the war, Viktoria's money started to run out. In the mid-1920s, she wrote a book about her life to earn money. Her book was published in 1929.
A Second Marriage
In 1927, Viktoria hosted a party for university students in Bonn. One student was Alexander Anatolievitch Zoubkoff. He was a Russian immigrant. Zoubkoff told Viktoria he was a baron who fled the Russian Revolution. Viktoria was very taken with him. She gave him many gifts. He then asked her to marry him.
Viktoria married Zoubkoff on 19 November 1927. This was the same day she had married Adolf 37 years earlier. She was 61, and Alexander was 27. Their wedding caused a big stir in royal circles.
Soon after, Alexander started spending Viktoria's money. He was later sent out of Germany. He went to Luxembourg and worked as a waiter. In 1928, Viktoria separated from him.
Viktoria faced money problems. She had to sell almost all her belongings. She moved into a small rented room. She also tried to get a divorce from Zoubkoff.
Before the divorce was final, Viktoria became ill with pneumonia. She passed away on 13 November 1929, at the age of 63. She was buried at Schloss Friedrichshof, her sister Margaret's home.
Archives
Viktoria's letters to her sister Margaret are kept in the Archive of the House of Hesse. This archive is in Fasanerie Palace in Eichenzell, Germany.
Titles and Styles
- 12 April 1866 – 19 November 1890: Her Royal Highness Princess Viktoria of Prussia
- 19 November 1890 – 9 July 1927: Her Royal Highness Princess Adolf of Schaumburg-Lippe
- 9 July 1927 – 13 November 1929: Mrs Viktoria Zoubkoff
