HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN: I know it's What We're Writing Week, and I am writing like mad, and getting ready to launch MOTHER DAUGHTER SISTER STRANGER --lookit that cover! (And we are still tweaking the final.) And you know you will hear all about that when the time comes.
But today I am turning over my day to our dear backblogger Diana. Because her post is--as we say--time-sensitive, because today is the only day this could be posted!
If you remember, she had mentioned in the comments one day recently that Deaf Awareness Week was coming up starting May 4 (although we celebrate that every day at JRW) and that April is Deaf History Month, and she asked whether we'd be doing a blog about it. Such a good idea! And I asked her to email me. Which she did, and turns out, her post was perfectly perfect, and especially perfect for today.
As a result, I am delighted to turn the floor over to the amazing Diana. (Here's her photo, too! Such fun to see!)
DIANA: Tuesday 21 April marks the centenary of Queen Elizabeth II’s birth. Queen Elizabeth II was born on 21 April 1926 to the Duchess of York and the Duke of York in London, England. The late Queen has several connections to Deaf history.
If you remember, she had mentioned in the comments one day recently that Deaf Awareness Week was coming up starting May 4 (although we celebrate that every day at JRW) and that April is Deaf History Month, and she asked whether we'd be doing a blog about it. Such a good idea! And I asked her to email me. Which she did, and turns out, her post was perfectly perfect, and especially perfect for today.
As a result, I am delighted to turn the floor over to the amazing Diana. (Here's her photo, too! Such fun to see!)
DIANA: Tuesday 21 April marks the centenary of Queen Elizabeth II’s birth. Queen Elizabeth II was born on 21 April 1926 to the Duchess of York and the Duke of York in London, England. The late Queen has several connections to Deaf history.
Her father, Bertie’s grandmother Queen Alexandra was congenitally deaf. Another connection is Her Majesty’s mother in law.
Princess Alice of Battenberg was born in February 1885 at Windsor Castle in England. No one noticed that Alice was deaf at first.
Princess Alice of Battenberg was born in February 1885 at Windsor Castle in England. No one noticed that Alice was deaf at first.
Once her family learned that she was deaf, to quote a relative who was interviewed in a documentary, they decided that they would not treat her any differently, meaning they expected her to follow the royal protocol.
Her family worried more about Alice’s deafness than Alice herself. Her siblings would converse with her without concessions. Princess Alice learned how to dance and play the piano. Despite her deafness, Princess Alice learned to lipread in several languages, including English and German. She also learned how to read and write. Her mother worked with her to develop her lipreading skills.
A relative remarked that “you had to be very careful what you said” because her lipreading skills were very good.
Princess Alice met Prince Andrew of Greece at the coronation of King Edward VII. They fell in love and got married in 1903. Their only son, Prince Philip, was born in 1921. Many years before Prince Philip met Princess Elizabeth, the heiress to the British throne, his parents Princess Alice of Battenberg and Prince Andrew of Greece visited the Duchess and the Duke of York and the new baby, Elizabeth. Princess Alice was also known as Princess Andrew of Greece.
Princess Alice met Prince Andrew of Greece at the coronation of King Edward VII. They fell in love and got married in 1903. Their only son, Prince Philip, was born in 1921. Many years before Prince Philip met Princess Elizabeth, the heiress to the British throne, his parents Princess Alice of Battenberg and Prince Andrew of Greece visited the Duchess and the Duke of York and the new baby, Elizabeth. Princess Alice was also known as Princess Andrew of Greece.
During the Second World War, she used her deafness to her advantage when she was sheltering a Jewish family from the Nazis. By the time her daughter in law became the Queen, she became a nun. At the 1953 coronation, she was wearing a grey nun’s habit. She spent the last few years of her life, living at Buckingham Palace. Princess Alice of Battenberg was a private person.
She is well known to the British Deaf community, who shared wonderful stories about her with me.
In addition to the late Queen’s birthday month, April is also Deaf History month. There is a book about the Princess written by Hugo Vickers, who also published a new book about the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Alice, Princess Andrew of Greece by Hugo Vickers can be ordered from bookshop.org, Apple Books online (ebooks) or your local booksellers.
In addition to the late Queen’s birthday month, April is also Deaf History month. There is a book about the Princess written by Hugo Vickers, who also published a new book about the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Alice, Princess Andrew of Greece by Hugo Vickers can be ordered from bookshop.org, Apple Books online (ebooks) or your local booksellers.
Hank: SO fascinating! And Diana has two questions for you, Reds and Readers. Answer as you will!
Question one: Reds and Readers, did you surprise yourself by doing something that you thought you were not able to do?
Or question two: Reds and Readers, do you enjoy reading about history? Fictional History, Romantic History or Scholarly History? Or do you have a favorite story about a favorite historical character?
More info:
Bookshop link:
Queen Elizabeth II. By Hugo Vickers can be ordered from Blackwell’s at this link:
https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/Queen-Elizabeth-II-by-Hugo-Vickers/9781529355178
This is so interesting, Diana . . . thank you for sharing it with all of us.
ReplyDeleteYes, I do enjoy reading about history . . . it's fascinating to learn about people and events from the past.
[And, Hank, I am looking forward to reading "Mother Daughter Sister Stranger" . . . love the cover!]
Thank you for this post, Diana. There are so many fascinating stories throughout history - I love the chance to hear them. I’ve always loved reading history and historical novels. Learning facts and a chance to walk a mile in someone else’s shoes.
ReplyDeleteGood-morning, Diana. How nice to see you on the top of the blog this morning. I love historical mysteries and historical romances, too, if the historical aspect is well-reseached. I just finished reading a book by Patrice McDonough, Murder by Moonlight, that featured some of the members of the royal family whom you mention in your essay. It is the third book in her series of historical mysteries.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the front of the blog, Diana! And thanks for sharing those fascinating historical bits. I always love learning about the past, especially the parts that were hidden or not widely taught.
ReplyDeleteFrom Celia: What a great choice Hank, you are always so thoughtful towards our community participation here.
ReplyDeleteHistory has always been my first love going back into full on fiction as a teen. One book that stands out - Josephine Teys -The Daughter of Time. And there Richard III was buried under the parking lot in Lincoln UK. For me, history is just part of my DNA. I am constantly reminded that not everyone is as interested as I am. Right now I'm exploring US history with the help of HCR and am so grateful. Lots here beyond the daily headlines.
The attitude of "brushing away the unwanted" was so popular and it's noticeable how strong in introspect we can see their personalities.
Thanks Diana for this.
Thank you for the post Diana, I didn't know and I do enjoy learning about little known historical facts.
ReplyDelete