Nancy Stewart Worthington Leeds
Encyclopedia
Princess Anastasia of Greece (January 20, 1873 – August 26 29 1923) was a wealthy American heiress and a member of the Greek Royal Family through marriage with Prince Christopher of Greece and Denmark
, the youngest child of King George I of Greece
and Olga, Queen of Greece.
in 1873, to William C. Stewart, a rich industrialist, and his wife, Mary Holden Stewart. The Stewart family moved later to Cleveland, Ohio
. Nancy May was educated at her parents' home before she turned seventeen and was sent to the Porter School for young ladies in Farmington, Connecticut
. She was then soon introduced to the high society and met a banker, George H. Worthington, who he married in 1894. The marriage ended in divorce in 1898 and Worthington died shortly after that. She married secondly in 1900 William Bateman Leeds, who made his fortune in the tin-plating business. William B. and Nancy May Leeds had one son, William B. Leeds Jr., who was born on September 19, 1902. Mr. Leeds died in 1908 in Paris, France and his wealth passed to his widowed wife and their only child. The wealthy and still-young widow decided to stay in Europe, where she became a part of the privileged class. She was noted as one of the best clients to the Cartier, having her own hall in this famous jewellery shop, and started collecting the art and furniture of great value.
The newly-wed couple settled in Palermo, where they commissioned the building of Villa Anastasia. Princess Anastasia's money helped to improve the exiled Greek Royal Family's poor material situation and there were also many rumours that the Princess' donations contributed to Constantine I's came back to the throne in the late 1920. It was reported that after the restoration of the monarchy, the new Princess was liked and accepted by the Greek people and there were some rumours spread, concerning the potential brides for Princess Anastasia's only son, William B. Leeds, Jr. It was expected to be a member of the European high nobility or even of a royal house, since his mother entered one herself. However, the Princess wanted to her son a more simple life and she stated that she would like William to ""remain in America"" and bee a "good citizen". Finally, when William B. Leeds, Jr. proposed to his step-father's niece, Princess Xenia Georgievna of Russia and she agreed, it was not accepted by Princess Anastasia. She opposed the marriage because of the couple's young age. She also denied rumours that her son would be given a title by the King and converted to the Orthodox faith, prior to the marriage. William B. Leeds, Jr. and Xenia Georgievna of Russia were married in Paris on October 9, 1921 and lived in the United States.
Shortly after the marriage with Prince Christopher, the Princess was diagnosed with cancer and died three years after that in 1923 at Spencer House
, London. According to her will, she was buried with her parents in the family mausoleum at Woodlawn Cemetery in Bronx, New York City.
Prince Christopher of Greece and Denmark
Prince Christopher of Greece and Denmark was a member of the Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg Royal House.-Family background:...
, the youngest child of King George I of Greece
George I of Greece
George I was King of Greece from 1863 to 1913. Originally a Danish prince, George was only 17 years old when he was elected king by the Greek National Assembly, which had deposed the former king Otto. His nomination was both suggested and supported by the Great Powers...
and Olga, Queen of Greece.
Family and life before the third marriage
She was born as Nonnie May Stewart in Zanesville, OhioOhio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
in 1873, to William C. Stewart, a rich industrialist, and his wife, Mary Holden Stewart. The Stewart family moved later to Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state. The city is located in northeastern Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, approximately west of the Pennsylvania border...
. Nancy May was educated at her parents' home before she turned seventeen and was sent to the Porter School for young ladies in Farmington, Connecticut
Farmington, Connecticut
Farmington is a town located in Hartford County in the Farmington Valley area of central Connecticut in the United States. The population was 25,340 at the 2010 census. It is home to the world headquarters of several large corporations including Carrier Corporation, Otis Elevator Company, and Carvel...
. She was then soon introduced to the high society and met a banker, George H. Worthington, who he married in 1894. The marriage ended in divorce in 1898 and Worthington died shortly after that. She married secondly in 1900 William Bateman Leeds, who made his fortune in the tin-plating business. William B. and Nancy May Leeds had one son, William B. Leeds Jr., who was born on September 19, 1902. Mr. Leeds died in 1908 in Paris, France and his wealth passed to his widowed wife and their only child. The wealthy and still-young widow decided to stay in Europe, where she became a part of the privileged class. She was noted as one of the best clients to the Cartier, having her own hall in this famous jewellery shop, and started collecting the art and furniture of great value.
Marriage with Prince Christopher and death
Nancy Stewart Worthington Leeds met Prince Christopher of Greece and Denmark in Biarritz, France and they quickly fell in love with each other. Their engagement was anounced to the public in 1914 on the island of Capri, but the marriage was delayed due to an opposition within the Royal Family to the Prince's marriage with an American twice-previously married commoner. The prince's family's attitude to his bride-to be dramatically changed after the 1st World War, when it was exiled and financially devastated. Suddenly, Nancy Leeds, who was a very wealthy person, became an attractive and suitable canddidate for the bride and the marriage finally took place on February 1, 1920 in Vevey, Switzerland, six years after the engagement. During the Orthodox Christian wedding ceremony former Mrs. Leeds took the name Anastasia. She was granted afterwards the title of Princess of Greece with the style Royal Highness in her own right by her new brother-in law King Constantine I of Greece. She was since then officially styled HRH Princess Anastasia of Greece but was also known as Princess Christopher. However, the American press continued to call her by her popular nicknames, the "Tin Plate Heiress", the "Dollar Princess" or the "Million Dollar Princess".The newly-wed couple settled in Palermo, where they commissioned the building of Villa Anastasia. Princess Anastasia's money helped to improve the exiled Greek Royal Family's poor material situation and there were also many rumours that the Princess' donations contributed to Constantine I's came back to the throne in the late 1920. It was reported that after the restoration of the monarchy, the new Princess was liked and accepted by the Greek people and there were some rumours spread, concerning the potential brides for Princess Anastasia's only son, William B. Leeds, Jr. It was expected to be a member of the European high nobility or even of a royal house, since his mother entered one herself. However, the Princess wanted to her son a more simple life and she stated that she would like William to ""remain in America"" and bee a "good citizen". Finally, when William B. Leeds, Jr. proposed to his step-father's niece, Princess Xenia Georgievna of Russia and she agreed, it was not accepted by Princess Anastasia. She opposed the marriage because of the couple's young age. She also denied rumours that her son would be given a title by the King and converted to the Orthodox faith, prior to the marriage. William B. Leeds, Jr. and Xenia Georgievna of Russia were married in Paris on October 9, 1921 and lived in the United States.
Spencer House
Spencer House is a mansion in St. James's, London.The house was commissioned by John, 1st Earl Spencer in 1756, the Earl requiring a large London house to cement his position and status. The architect he chose was John Vardy who had studied under William Kent...
, London. According to her will, she was buried with her parents in the family mausoleum at Woodlawn Cemetery in Bronx, New York City.