Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh and husband of Queen Elizabeth II, had a complex relationship with his mother, Princess Alice of Battenberg. While it is difficult to pinpoint a single reason why Prince Philip did not have a close bond with his mother, several factors may have contributed to their strained relationship.
One significant factor was the tumultuous nature of Princess Alice's life. Born in Windsor Castle in 1885, Princess Alice was the daughter of Prince Louis of Battenberg and Princess Victoria of Hesse and by Rhine. Her early years were marked by tragedy, as her mother passed away when she was just a child. Princess Alice's father remarried, and she was sent to live with her grandmother, Queen Victoria, which further distanced her from her immediate family.
Another element that affected Prince Philip's relationship with his mother was her struggle with mental health issues. Princess Alice experienced periods of emotional instability and was diagnosed with schizophrenia later in her life. In 1930, she was committed to a psychiatric clinic in Switzerland, and her absence had a profound impact on Prince Philip, who was only nine years old at the time. This separation and the subsequent stigma associated with mental illness may have contributed to a sense of detachment between them.
Princess Alice's unconventional life choices and spiritual beliefs also created a wedge between her and her son. Following her recovery from mental illness, she devoted herself to religious pursuits and developed a deep interest in spirituality. Princess Alice became a member of the Greek Orthodox Church and established her own religious order, the Christian Sisterhood of Martha and Mary. Her commitment to her faith and her unorthodox practices, such as wearing nun-like garments and living a modest life, may have clashed with Prince Philip's more traditional upbringing and conservative values.
Princess Alice's absence from Prince Philip's life during his formative years left a void that was challenging to bridge. After her release from the clinic, Princess Alice relocated to Greece, where she led a relatively reclusive life. Prince Philip was sent to live with his British relatives and attended various schools in the United Kingdom, which limited the time they spent together. The physical distance and lack of regular contact likely contributed to their emotional disconnect.
It is also important to acknowledge the cultural and societal context of the time in which Prince Philip and Princess Alice lived. The British royal family placed great emphasis on maintaining a stoic and composed public image, which could have influenced Prince Philip's ability to openly express his emotions or establish a close relationship with his mother. Traditional British stiff upper lip mentality and the demands of royal duties may have reinforced this emotional distance.
Despite their strained relationship, it is worth noting that Prince Philip and Princess Alice did reconnect later in life. In 1967, Princess Alice moved to the United Kingdom to be closer to her son and his family. She resided in Buckingham Palace until her death in 1969. During this time, Prince Philip made efforts to support his mother and ensure her well-being, even arranging for her to attend family events and functions.
Prince Philip's complex relationship with his mother, Princess Alice, was influenced by a combination of factors. These included Princess Alice's challenging personal history, her mental health struggles, her unconventional lifestyle and beliefs, their physical separation during Prince Philip's childhood, societal expectations within the British royal family, and their eventual reunion in later years. While it is difficult to pinpoint a single reason why Prince Philip did not have a close bond with his mother, it is clear that their relationship was marked by emotional distance and challenges that impacted their connection.
