Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark was a prominent member of European royalty in the early 20th century, closely tied to both the Greek and Danish royal houses. As the father of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and the father-in-law of Queen Elizabeth II, his life has drawn attention for its connection to major historical events and figures. Born into royalty, Prince Andrew’s life was marked by both privilege and turmoil, shaped by wars, political upheavals, and personal challenges. His journey reflects the complexities of European aristocracy in an era of dramatic change, making him an essential figure in royal history.
Early Life and Royal Heritage
Prince Andrew was born on February 2, 1882, in Athens, Greece. He was the seventh child and fourth son of King George I of Greece and Queen Olga Constantinovna of Russia. Through his father, he was a member of the House of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg, which linked him directly to the royal families of Denmark and several other European nations. His mother was a Russian grand duchess, giving him ties to the Romanov dynasty.
This dual heritage made Prince Andrew a symbol of the interconnected nature of European monarchies. He spent much of his early life between Greece and Denmark, receiving a royal education and military training suited for a young prince destined for service in the Greek armed forces.
Military Career in Greece
Prince Andrew began his military career in the Greek Army, where he served during a period of growing nationalism and regional conflict. He saw active duty in the Greco-Turkish War of 1897, where Greece suffered a defeat that had long-lasting consequences. Nevertheless, Andrew’s career continued, and he rose through the ranks as Greece entered the Balkan Wars in the early 20th century.
During the Balkan Wars (19121913), Prince Andrew served with distinction. He held a key role in the cavalry and participated in campaigns aimed at expanding Greece’s territory. His performance was respectable, though his relationship with military command was often strained. Despite his royal status, Prince Andrew was known for his critical views of military leadership and strategy, which sometimes put him at odds with the government and his superiors.
Exile and Political Turmoil
Greece underwent significant political changes in the early 20th century, especially during and after World War I. Prince Andrew, like many members of the Greek royal family, faced suspicion and political backlash during this volatile time. Greece was deeply divided between royalists and Venizelists, supporters of liberal Prime Minister Eleftherios Venizelos, who pushed for Greece’s alignment with the Allies.
During the Greco-Turkish War (19191922), Andrew returned to military service but became embroiled in controversy. As commander of the II Army Corps in Anatolia, he was blamed for disobedience and poor judgment during critical campaigns. After the catastrophic defeat of the Greek army in Asia Minor, a revolutionary court dismissed him from military service. In 1922, amid a national crisis, Prince Andrew was arrested and court-martialed. He narrowly escaped execution and was forced into exile.
Life in Exile and Personal Struggles
Following his expulsion from Greece, Prince Andrew and his family lived in exile across Europe. They first settled in France, where their lives were marked by financial instability and personal hardship. His wife, Princess Alice of Battenberg, suffered from mental illness and was institutionalized for several years, leaving Andrew to raise their children largely on his own.
Despite his royal lineage, Prince Andrew led a relatively modest life during exile. He was largely estranged from his wife and children during this time, particularly from his son, Prince Philip, who was sent to live with various relatives in Germany and the United Kingdom. Andrew lived a quiet life in the south of France, maintaining correspondence with his family but remaining distant from royal duties or political engagement.
Family and Descendants
Prince Andrew married Princess Alice of Battenberg in 1903. Their union produced five children:
- Princess Margarita
- Princess Theodora
- Princess Cecilie
- Princess Sophie
- Prince Philip (later Duke of Edinburgh)
Their most famous child, Prince Philip, went on to marry the future Queen Elizabeth II in 1947. This marriage linked Prince Andrew to the British royal family, and he became the grandfather of King Charles III. Although Andrew did not live to see his son’s rise in prominence, his legacy endures through the continued influence of his descendants in modern European monarchy.
Later Years and Death
In the final years of his life, Prince Andrew remained in France and led a relatively quiet existence. He published a memoir in 1930 titled Towards Disaster: The Greek Army in Asia Minor in 1921, in which he defended his actions during the ill-fated campaign. His writing reveals a man haunted by his past but also determined to present his side of a controversial history.
Prince Andrew died on December 3, 1944, in Monte Carlo, Monaco. His death occurred during World War II, a conflict that saw his son serving in the British Navy. He never returned to Greece and never reconciled fully with the Greek monarchy, which had been abolished and restored multiple times during his lifetime.
Legacy and Historical Importance
Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark remains a significant figure due to his unique position at the intersection of multiple royal houses. His military career, though marked by controversy, reflected the complex politics of early 20th-century Greece. His experiences in exile and family difficulties humanized a man often overshadowed by his descendants.
Perhaps his most enduring legacy is his connection to the modern British monarchy through Prince Philip and his grandchildren, including King Charles III. His life story offers insight into the personal costs of royal responsibility, the unpredictability of political fortune, and the resilience required to endure exile and loss.
Historical Reflection
When examining the life of Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark, it is clear that he was a royal caught between two worlds: the tradition-bound monarchies of the 19th century and the turbulent, democratic shifts of the 20th. His military service, political exile, and personal hardships show that even those born into privilege were not immune to the chaos of history.
His life, though less celebrated than that of his son or grandson, is a crucial chapter in the broader narrative of European royalty. The story of Prince Andrew reflects not only the decline of monarchies in the modern era but also the endurance of royal bloodlines and their transformation in a changing world.