January 20, 1951
The Duchess of Aosta died today at her villa at Castellamara di Stabia near Naples. She was 84 years old. The Duchess was the widow of the Duke of Aosta, first cousin of the late King Victor Emanuele, who commanded the Italian 3rd Army during the first world war, reports the Associated Press.
The former Princess Helene of Orleans was the third of eight children of Prince Philippe, Count of Paris, and Infanta Maria Isabel of Spain. She was born on June 13, 1871, at York House in Twickenham, where the French royal family lived in exile.
In spite of her family's exile, Helene's parents had great hopes she would make a great marital alliance. Her sister, Amelie, was married to the King of Portugal.
Princess Helene was known for her great beauty. One journalist noted that she was "the personification of womanly health and beauty, distinguished as a graceful athlete and charming linguist."
Helene's great love was Queen Victoria's grandson, Prince Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence. Both families were opposed to the marriage as Helene was Roman Catholic, but neither the Duke of Clarence nor Helene was willing to give up their love.
Helene, who said she would join the Church of England, went with Albert Victor to meet with his grandmother. They confessed that they were in love. With the news that Helene would convert, the Queen gave her support. Albert Victor's mother, the Princess of Wales, also supported the marriage, despite the obstacles.
Unfortunately, for the young couple, Helene's father was against the marriage. He would not permit his daughter to convert to the Anglican Church. Helene remained determined to marry Albert Victor. She visited the Vatican to ask for Pope Leo XIII's intercession, but he agreed with her father.
Helene was forced to end her relationship with Prince Albert Victor.
Religion was also an obstacle to marriage with Tsarevich Nicholas, heir to the Russian throne. Emperor Alexander III and Empress Marie considered Helene as their first choice for Nicholas' bride. The future Russian empress was required to be Orthodox.
Other possible suitors included Afonso, the Duke of Porto, younger brother of King Carlos of Portugal, who was married to Helene's sister, and the Crown Prince of Italy.
It would be another Italian prince who won Helene's hand, if not her affection. On June 25, 1895, Helene married Prince Emanuele Filiberto of Savoy, 2nd Duke of Aosta. The wedding took place at St. Raphael's Catholic Church at Kingston-on-Thames.
The couple had two sons, Prince Amedeo, 3rd Duke of Aosta (1898-1942), and Prince Aimone, 4th Duke of Aosta (1900-1948.)
Helene's husband died in 1931. She is survived by her grandson, Amedeo, 5th Duke of Aosta, and two granddaughters, Princess Margherita and Maria Cristina, the daughters of the third Duke.
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