Princess Victoria of Hesse and by Rhine
Princess Victoria of Hesse and by Rhine, also known as Viktoria Alberta Elisabeth Mathilde Marie, was born on April 5, 1863 in Darmstadt, Germany. She was the fourth child and second daughter of Grand Duke Louis IV of Hesse and Princess Alice of the United Kingdom.
Victoria grew up in a close-knit family, but tragedy struck when her mother died of diphtheria in 1878. Victoria became a confidante and caregiver to her younger siblings, including her brother Ernest Louis who would eventually become Grand Duke of Hesse.
In 1884, Victoria married Prince Louis of Battenberg, who was a naval officer and a member of the British royal family. They had four children together, including Louis Mountbatten, who would become the last Viceroy of India.
Victoria was passionate about nursing and served as president of the British Red Cross during World War I. She also worked to promote women's suffrage and education.
In 1917, amidst anti-German sentiment during World War I, Victoria and her family changed their name to Mountbatten. Victoria died on September 24, 1950 at the age of 87. Her legacy lives on through her descendants, including Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, who was her grandson.
