Princess Marie de Cro每 and the Resistance
Princess Marie was born in London on 26 November 1875
as the daughter of Prince Alfred Emmanuel de Cro每 and his
wife Elizabeth Mary Parnell.
She was thus a member of the House of Cro每.
Duty
When the First World War broke out in 1914, the princess was visiting
a friend, Violet Cavendish-Bentinck, at the home of her mother,
Mrs Louisa Scott; she immediately set out for France.
a friend, Violet Cavendish-Bentinck, at the home of her mother,
Mrs Louisa Scott; she immediately set out for France.
She worked as a nurse, at the family home of Chateau de Bellignies,
which was in use as a hospital and assisted Edith Cavell in helping
allied servicemen to escape to Britain via the Netherlands.
which was in use as a hospital and assisted Edith Cavell in helping
allied servicemen to escape to Britain via the Netherlands.
For this she was arrested in 1915 along with Nurse Cavell and a number
of others, but escaped the death penalty. At their trial in October, she
asked for clemency for her fellow prisoners, claiming that she and her
brother were solely responsible. She was condemned to ten years' hard
labour, and sent to a prison at Siegburg in Germany.
of others, but escaped the death penalty. At their trial in October, she
asked for clemency for her fellow prisoners, claiming that she and her
brother were solely responsible. She was condemned to ten years' hard
labour, and sent to a prison at Siegburg in Germany.
The Kaiser, Wilhelm II, offered to free her, but she declined because she
did not want to be given preferential treatment.
did not want to be given preferential treatment.
In 1917 the princess was admitted to hospital in Bonn, her health
seriously affected by prison conditions.
She was finally released on 13 November 1918.
seriously affected by prison conditions.
She was finally released on 13 November 1918.
The Canadian journalist Elizabeth Montizambert, who had been in the
occupied territory during the war, became a close friend of Marie
and her brother.
occupied territory during the war, became a close friend of Marie
and her brother.
World War II - Resistance
During the Second World War, the princess was again involved in
Resistance activities. Henri Giraud, who had been assisted by
Nurse Cavell's team when he was a junior officer, once again
received Princess Marie's help when he escaped from K枚nigstein Castle
in 1942. She was arrested at Lille.
Resistance activities. Henri Giraud, who had been assisted by
Nurse Cavell's team when he was a junior officer, once again
received Princess Marie's help when he escaped from K枚nigstein Castle
in 1942. She was arrested at Lille.
In recognition of her war service, she was awarded the honours of
Chevalier of the Order of Leopold and of the L茅gion d'honneur.
Chevalier of the Order of Leopold and of the L茅gion d'honneur.
King Leopold I wearing the Order the Leopold
which he founded.
which he founded.
She wrote a memoir of her war experiences, titled War Memories,
which was published by Macmillan in 1932.
which was published by Macmillan in 1932.
Royal connections
Death
She did not marry, and died at Saint-Benin-d'Azy, aged
92 on 20 June 1968.
92 on 20 June 1968.
Books
There are 2 books about Princess Marie de Cro每:
War Memories of Princess Marie de Croy
and in French:
Princesse et Combattante
Source pictures: Wikipedia + bookcovers
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