The Forgotten Princess: Irene of Greece, the Wife of Prince Aimone of Savoy
In the midst of the tumultuous history of the Greek royal family, there exists a lesser-known figure who played a significant role in the lives of those around her. Princess Irene of Greece, the daughter of King Constantine I of Greece and Queen Sophia of Prussia, was a woman whose life was marked by both tragedy and resilience. Born in 1904, Irene was destined for a life of royal duty, marrying Prince Aimone of Savoy in 1939, a union that would have far-reaching consequences for both families involved. This article delves into the life of Princess Irene, exploring her experiences and the impact she had on those around her.
Princess Irene's story is one of quiet strength and determination, as she navigated the complexities of royal life amidst the backdrop of war and personal loss. Her marriage to Prince Aimone, a union that was initially met with optimism, would ultimately be marked by hardship and heartache. Through her journey, Princess Irene serves as a testament to the enduring power of love and resilience in the face of adversity, a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope for a brighter future.
Many royal romances are played up to be fairytale stories. A young woman meets Prince Charming. The couple falls in love. They then live happily ever after.
Peter and his mother Marie
This was not to be the case of Prince Peter of Greece and Denmark (1908-1980), son of Prince George of Greece and Denmark (1869-1957) and Princess Marie Bonaparte (1882-1962), and his wife Irène. Prince Peter first met Irène, Marquise de Monléon (1904-1990; née Irina Aleksandrovna Ovtchinnikova), in the summer of 1935. The couple did fall for one another, but many obstacles would await them.
Irène
Born in the St. Petersburg of Imperial Russia, Irène was the daughter of Aleksandr Ovtchinnikov and Lydia Zourio. With the fall of the empire, the Ovtchinnikov family fled Russia for Western Europe. In November 1919, at the age of fifteen, Irène married Marquis Jehan de Monléon (1885-1950), the son of Marquis Paul de Monléon and Marie Anne Louise Carré‐Kérisouët. The pair were divorced in 1930; they had no children.
Lewis Sloden in 1915.
Two years later, in November 1932, Irène married Lewis (Louis) Sloden (1892-1961). Mr Sloden worked as an art dealer. In the 1910s, Mr Sloden was hailed as "one of the most perfect ballroom dancers in the world." It was towards the end of this marriage that Irène met the man who was to be her third and final husband: Prince Peter of Greece and Denmark. Irène Ovtchinnikova and Lewis Sloden divorced in 1936.
Prince Peter
In September 1939, Irène Ovtchinnikova, erstwhile Marquise Jehan de Monléon and Mrs Lewis Sloden, wed Prince Peter in a civil ceremony at the Danish consulate at Madras, India. The couple had been in India since March 1939. Needless to say, Peter's parents were not thrilled with their only son's mésalliance with "the Russian woman," as Marie Bonaparte often referred to her daughter-in-law. Prince George ceased communications with his only son. However, Irène and Peter would not be deterred: in June 1941 they were married in a Greek Orthodox ceremony at Jerusalem.
Irène and Peter
Peter and Irène's marriage would stand the test of time in name only. Irène did eventually win over her mother-in-law Princess Marie. Prince Peter and his wife shared an enthusiasm for anthropology: the prince had studied anthropology between 1935-1936 at the London School of Economics under the Polish-born anthropologist Bronisław Malinowski and the New Zealander ethnologist Sir Raymond Firth. Irène assisted Peter with his academic endeavours in the Orient.
Following the fall of the Greek monarchy, Prince Peter and Princess Irène separated, but they never divorced. Making his base in Copenhagen, Peter formed a relationship with a young British woman. Irène went her own way and moved to Hong Kong, before returning to Paris in the twilight of life.
After forty-one years of marriage, Prince Peter of Greece and Denmark died on 15 October 1980 at the National Hospital for Nervous Diseases in London. Peter had been admitted to hospital on 5 October after suffering a brain haemorrhage. On 13 March 1990, Princess Peter of Greece and Denmark died at Paris. She was eighty-five years-old. Irène was buried next to Peter at the Bernstorff Palace Park at Hovedstaden, Denmark.
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More about Prince Peter and his wife Irène can be read in Marie Bonaparte: A Life by Ceclia Bertin.
As we conclude our exploration of Princess Irene of Greece, wife of Prince Aimone of Savoy, we are reminded of the profound impact that her life had on those around her. Her story, though often overshadowed by the more prominent figures of her family, serves as a testament to the strength and resilience that can be found in even the most challenging of circumstances. Through her experiences, Princess Irene demonstrates that even in the face of adversity, there is always hope for a brighter future, and that the power of love and determination can overcome even the most daunting obstacles. As we reflect on her life, we are left with a deeper appreciation for the complexities and nuances of royal life, and a renewed sense of respect for the individuals who lived through such tumultuous times.
Princess Irene's story is a powerful reminder that even the most seemingly ordinary individuals can have extraordinary lives. Her journey, marked by both tragedy and triumph, serves as a beacon of hope for those who may be facing their own challenges. As we move forward, it is essential that we continue to learn from and honor the lives of those who have come before us, including Princess Irene. Her legacy serves as a testament to the enduring power of love, resilience, and determination, and it is our hope that her story will continue to inspire and educate future generations. By exploring the lives of individuals like Princess Irene, we can gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of history and the people who shaped it, and we can be reminded of the importance of preserving and celebrating the stories of those who have made a lasting impact on our world.
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