# Mary, Princess Royal and Countess of Harewood

> Member of the House of Windsor

**Wikidata**: [Q233913](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q233913)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary,_Princess_Royal_and_Countess_of_Harewood)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/mary-princess-royal-and-countess-of-harewood

## Summary
Mary, Princess Royal and Countess of Harewood, was a prominent member of the British royal family and the House of Windsor, born in 1897 and passing in 1965. As the only daughter of King George V and Queen Mary, she held the titles of Princess Royal and Countess of Harewood, serving as a key figure in the British monarchy during the early 20th century. Her life was marked by her royal lineage, her marriage into the Lascelles family, and her receipt of numerous honors including the Order of the Crown of India and the Decoration of the Royal Red Cross.

## Biography
- **Born**: 25 April 1897 (also recorded as 1 January 1897 in some structured data)
- **Nationality**: United Kingdom (British)
- **Education**: Not specified in the provided material
- **Known for**: Being a member of the House of Windsor, holding the title of Princess Royal, and serving as Countess of Harewood
- **Employer(s)**: British Royal Family (House of Windsor)
- **Field(s)**: Royalty, Aristocracy, Public Service

## Contributions
Based strictly on the provided source material, specific concrete contributions such as founded companies, published papers, or discovered products are not detailed. The source material highlights her role as a member of the aristocracy and the royal family, which inherently involves public service and dynastic representation. Her contributions are reflected in her receipt of high honors, including:
- **Decoration of the Royal Red Cross**: Awarded for contributions in health services (inception: 27 April 1883).
- **Order of the Crown of India**: A dormant British order of chivalry established in 1878, of which she was a recipient.
- **Honorary Doctorates**: She was awarded an honorary doctorate at Laval University in Quebec, Canada, and an honorary doctorate from the University of Lille in France.

## FAQs
**What was Mary, Princess Royal and Countess of Harewood's primary role in society?**
She served as a senior member of the British royal family and the House of Windsor, holding the prestigious title of Princess Royal. Her role involved representing the monarchy and fulfilling aristocratic duties as the Countess of Harewood.

**Which honors and awards did Mary receive during her lifetime?**
She was awarded the Decoration of the Royal Red Cross for her work in health services and was a recipient of the Order of the Crown of India. Additionally, she received honorary doctorates from Laval University in Canada and the University of Lille in France.

**What were the dates of Mary's birth and death?**
Mary was born on 25 April 1897, though some structured data also lists 1 January 1897. She passed away on 28 March 1965, with alternative structured data listing 1 January 1965.

**How is Mary connected to the House of Windsor?**
She was a direct member of the House of Windsor, born as Princess Victoria Alexandra Alice Mary of the United Kingdom. Her life and titles were integral to the lineage and history of the British royal family during the 20th century.

## Why They Matter
Mary, Princess Royal and Countess of Harewood, represents a significant link in the continuity of the British monarchy during a period of immense global change. As the only daughter of King George V, her position as Princess Royal highlighted the role of women in the royal family, bridging the gap between the Victorian era and the modern constitutional monarchy. Her receipt of the Decoration of the Royal Red Cross underscores the royal family's engagement with health and humanitarian services, while her honorary doctorates reflect her international recognition and diplomatic presence. Without her, the historical record of the House of Windsor would lack the specific dynastic continuity she provided between the reigns of her father and her brother, Edward VIII, and her nephew, George VI. Her life exemplifies the intersection of aristocratic duty, public recognition, and the preservation of royal traditions in the 20th century.

## Notable For
- **Member of the House of Windsor**: A central figure in the British royal lineage.
- **Princess Royal**: The highest-ranking female title in the British royal family, held by Mary.
- **Countess of Harewood**: Her title following her marriage to Henry Lascelles.
- **Decoration of the Royal Red Cross**: Recognized for contributions to health services.
- **Order of the Crown of India**: Recipient of this dormant British order of chivalry.
- **Honorary Doctorates**: Awarded by Laval University (Canada) and the University of Lille (France).
- **Longevity**: Lived from 1897 to 1965, witnessing major historical shifts.
- **Royal Lineage**: Daughter of King George V and Queen Mary.

## Body

### Early Life and Identity
Mary was born Victoria Alexandra Alice Mary on 25 April 1897. Some structured records also cite 1 January 1897 as a birth date. She was a member of the House of Windsor and held British citizenship. Her full name and titles included Princess Victoria Alexandra Alice Mary of the United Kingdom, Princess Mary of York, and later Princess Mary of Wales. She was the daughter of King George V and Queen Mary, placing her at the heart of the British monarchy. Her life spanned from the late Victorian era through the reigns of Edward VIII and George VI, ending in 1965.

### Titles and Royal Status
Mary held the title of Princess Royal, a distinction granted to the eldest daughter of the British monarch. She was also known as the Countess of Harewood, a title she acquired through her marriage. Her aliases and formal names included Princess Mary of the United Kingdom, Princess Victoria Alexandra Alice Mary of York, and Princess Mary, Viscountess Lascelles. These titles reflect her movement through the royal hierarchy and her integration into the aristocratic network of the time. She was an instance of a human and a member of the House of Windsor, with her identity deeply tied to the British royal family.

### Honors and Awards
Mary received several significant honors throughout her life. She was awarded the Decoration of the Royal Red Cross, a decoration established in 1883 for contributions in health services. She was also a recipient of the Order of the Crown of India, an order of chivalry established in 1878. Her international recognition included an honorary doctorate from Laval University in Quebec, Canada, and an honorary doctorate from the University of Lille in France. These awards highlight her engagement with health services and her diplomatic connections.

### Personal Life and Marriage
Mary married Henry Lascelles, becoming the Countess of Harewood. This marriage connected her to the Lascelles family and the title of Viscountess Lascelles prior to her elevation to Countess. Her life as a royal consort involved public duties and the maintenance of aristocratic traditions. The source material notes her connection to the conflict of World War II, indicating her presence during a time of global upheaval, though specific wartime activities are not detailed in the provided text.

### Legacy and Documentation
Mary's life is well-documented through various identifiers and media. She is associated with the Wikipedia title "Mary, Princess Royal and Countess of Harewood" and has a significant number of sitelinks (39). Her legacy is preserved in media files such as "Princess Mary, Countess of Harewood.jpg" and "Coat of Arms of Mary, the Princess Royal and Countess of Harewood.svg." She also has a signature file, "PrincessMaryPRSignature.svg," and a book titled "Princess Marys Gift Book." Her death occurred on 28 March 1965, with some records noting 1 January 1965. She was buried, and images of her burial are available in the source material.

### Structured Identifiers and Data
Mary's identity is confirmed by numerous structured identifiers. These include the VIAF ID 55119057, Library of Congress Control Number n2007009549, and Freebase ID /m/018rzs. She is also associated with the Wikidata ID Q234354. Other identifiers include ISNI 0000000391562983, GND 1038726417, and IMDb nm4827206. Her name appears in various forms in databases, including "mary-princess-royal-and-countess-of-harewood-1897-1965" and "victoria-alexandra-alice-mary-princess-1897-1965." These identifiers ensure her accurate representation in digital archives and historical records.

### Dynastic Connections
Mary was part of the extensive network of European royalty. Her father was King George V, and her mother was Queen Mary. She was named after Queen Victoria, her great-grandmother, and other royal figures. Her marriage into the Lascelles family expanded her connections within the British aristocracy. The source material also links her to the House of Battenberg and other royal families through various relations, though specific details of these connections are not fully elaborated in the provided text. Her life reflects the interconnected nature of European royalty in the 20th century.

### Cultural and Historical Context
Mary lived during a time of significant historical change, including World War II. Her presence in the royal family during this period contributed to the stability and continuity of the British monarchy. The source material mentions her connection to the conflict of World War II, indicating her role in a time of global crisis. Her life and titles serve as a testament to the enduring nature of the British royal family and its adaptation to modern times. The various honors she received reflect the recognition of her service and status within the royal and aristocratic spheres.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. The Peerage
3. [Source](https://www.ulaval.ca/notre-universite/prix-et-distinctions/doctorats-honoris-causa-de-luniversite-laval/liste-complete-des-recipiendaires-de-1864-a-aujourdhui.html#c154959)
4. Déplacements. Le Monde. 1956
5. Virtual International Authority File
6. Genealogics
7. Munzinger Personen
8. Dictionary of Women Worldwide
9. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013