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The only daughter of German emperor Wilhelm II, Princess Viktoria Luise of Prussia became II Guard Hussar Regiment’s colonel-in-chief. She later became the Duchess consort of Brunswick by her marriage to Ernest Augustus, Duke of Brunswick. Her memoirs were collated and published as The Kaiser’s Daughter.
Caterina Sforza was an Italian noblewoman who served as a regent for her son Ottaviano, the Lord of Imola and Forlì. Caterina is among the few women who caught the attention of Italian Renaissance writer Niccolò Machiavelli who discussed her at length. In 2010, she became the subject of a historical novel titled Scarlet Contessa.
Saint Margaret of Scotland, the Queen consort of Scotland, was a devout Christian reputed for her compassion for the poor of Scotland, for her charitable works and for promoting the interests of the church. She died shortly after receiving news of her husband, King of Scotland Malcolm III’s death in a battle. She was later canonized by Pope Innocent IV.
Carlota of Mexico served as the Empress consort of Mexico from 10 April 1864 to 15 May 1867. Her husband Maximilian I of Mexico died at the age of 34 and their relationship has inspired many movies, plays, TV series, and novels.
Lady Pamela Hicks is a British aristocrat best known as the daughter of Edwina Mountbatten and Louis Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma. Lady Pamela Hicks' memoirs of her time in India during the Indian Independence revealed important details surrounding the event, including her mother's extra-marital relationship with the future Indian Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru.
Marie-Chantal Claire is the wife of Pavlos, Crown Prince of Greece. Her parents-in-law are Constantine II of Greece and Anne-Marie of Denmark. Her husband is the heir apparent to the now-defunct throne of Greece. The daughter of a prominent businessman, she married Pavlos in 1995. She is the founder of Marie-Chantal, an international childrenswear brand.
Maria Alexandrovna of Hesse was the daughter of Prince Hereditary Ludwig of Hesse and Princess Wilhelmine of Baden. She was the first wife of Russian Emperor Alexander II. She was a co-founder of the Russian Red Cross and established Russia's first all-female schools. She also helped her husband end serfdom in Russia. She suffered from tuberculosis and died in 1880.
Khutulun was a Mongol wrestler and noblewoman. The daughter of Kaidu, Khutulun is remembered for accompanying her father on his military campaigns. Khutulun finds mention in the writings of personalities like Rashid al-Din Hamadani and Marco Polo.
Deborah Cavendish, the duchess of Devonshire, was the youngest of the popular Mitford sisters. An aristocrat and a socialite, she was one of the rare people who had met both Adolf Hitler and John Kennedy. She played a key role in commercializing Chatsworth Estate and also wrote books on it.
Zahra Khanom Tadj es-Saltaneh was a princess, women's rights activist, feminist, and memoirist. A multi-talented personality, Taj al-Saltaneh acquired the status of a legendary figure among women while she was still active. The first woman to take off the hijab in court, Zahra organized underground women's rights meetings and led a women's rights march against the monarchy under her father.
Grand Duchess Xenia Alexandrovna of Russia had been raised as a refined young woman, well-versed in drawing, piano, and gymnastics. Daughter of Tsar Alexander III, Xenia was also fond of writing. Her diary mirrors her thoughts about various topical events. She also devoted herself to charity during World War I.
Elizabeth, the daughter of Hungarian king Andrew II, was married at 14 but lost her husband to a plague in Italy at 20. She then joined the Third Order of St. Francis and opened a hospital for the poor. She is revered as the patron saint of the homeless.
Aspasia was an Ancient Greek philosopher and rhetorician. One of the most influential women of her generation, Aspasia's salon was a famous intellectual center in Athens. Her salon was visited by prominent thinkers and writers, including Socrates. Her name finds mention in the works of important personalities like Xenophon, Aristophanes, and Plato.
