The life of Isabella of Greece, born a princess of Romania, was challenging from the very beginning. Born in the lavish Peleș Castle in 1894, she found herself at the center of dynastic intrigue and family discord. Her parents, the future monarchs of Romania, were young and independent-minded, something the older generation disapproved of. Her upbringing was entrusted to strict relatives, while rumors about Isabella’s mother’s affairs only heightened the atmosphere of distrust and alienation.
From an early age, Isabella felt the weight of tradition and expectation. She was baptized in the Orthodox rite despite her father’s Catholic heritage, which led to his break with the church. The family called her Lizzy, and despite her reserved exterior, she always longed for vivid emotions and true passion. British upbringing, English governesses, and strict tutors shaped her character but could not quell her longing for freedom.
The road to the throne
World War I became a time of trials and maturity for Isabella. Together with her family, she cared for the wounded, and in her free time, she painted to support charitable projects. After the war, she went to Paris to study art and music, but family circumstances forced her to revisit the issue of marriage. In 1921, Isabella married her cousin, Prince George of Greece, despite doubts and the absence of romantic feelings.
Moving to Greece turned out to be a real challenge for her. The new country greeted her with political instability, war with Turkey, and constant anxiety. Her husband spent most of his time at the front, while Isabella suffered from loneliness, homesickness, and health issues. A miscarriage and severe depression further worsened her condition. According to one version, the pregnancy resulted from an affair with a British diplomat, and Isabella herself decided to terminate it.
The Fall of the Monarchy
In 1922, George became king after a series of tragic events in the family. However, their reign was short-lived: the country was devastated, and the monarchy was on the brink of collapse. Isabella tried to help the poor and organized fundraisers, but this did not improve the situation. In 1924, after a referendum, the monarchy was abolished, and the couple was forced to leave Greece, going into exile in Romania.
In exile, relations between Isabella and George quickly deteriorated. They lived in a luxurious palace, but their family life was falling apart. In 1935, the couple officially divorced, and Isabella regained her Romanian citizenship. From that moment on, she began building her own life, independent of royal titles and protocol.
A New Role and Exile
With the help of an influential banker who became her lover, Isabella managed to increase her wealth. She acquired real estate, funded the construction of a hospital and a children’s shelter, gradually becoming a prominent figure in Romanian society. After her mother’s death and her brother’s abdication, she assumed the role of the country’s first lady, grew closer to the communists, and even took part in plots against her own nephew, King Mihai I. For this, she was nicknamed the “Red Aunt.”
In 1947, when Romania was declared a republic, Isabella was expelled from the country. She first settled in Switzerland and later in France, where her life took a new and unexpected turn. In Cannes, she met Marc Favre, developed a close relationship with him, and even officially adopted him shortly before her death in 1956. Isabella was buried in Germany, in the family crypt.
Isabella of Greece is a figure whose fate reflects the turbulent changes of the 20th century. Her life was not only marked by personal tragedies and triumphs, but also stands as an example of how historical upheavals can reshape even the most powerful individuals. She journeyed from princess to exile, from queen to a woman who managed to build her own independence in a world governed by men and politics.
Isabella of Greece, aunt of Spanish Queen Sofia, left a significant mark on European history. Her biography is not only a chronicle of personal trials, but also a reflection of an era when the fates of monarchs depended on political upheavals and family conflicts. Raised in the traditions of British discipline, she demonstrated strength of character and adaptability despite the pressures of circumstance. Her name continues to attract the interest of historians and royal enthusiasts, and her life serves as a reminder of how quickly the fortunes of even the most powerful can change.
