In July
1917, when King
George V changed the name of the British Royal House from the
House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha to the
House of Windsor. He also relinquished, on behalf of himself and his numerous cousins and brothers-in-law who were British subjects, the use of their German titles, styles, and surnames. Princess Helena Victoria and Princess Marie Louise ceased to use the territorial designation "of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Augustenberg." Instead, they became known simply as "Her Highness Princess Helena Victoria" and "Her Highness Princess Marie Louise," giving them the odd distinction of being Princesses but not Princesses of any family or monarchy. Although the two Princesses had borne German titles, they were both quintessentially
English.
In ill health and wheelchair-bound after
World War II, one of Princess Helena Victoria's last major appearances was at the
20 November 1947 wedding of her first cousin twice removed, the then-
Princess Elizabeth, to the then-
Lt. Philip Mountbatten, RN. Princess Helena Victoria died at Fitzmaurice Place, Berkeley Square. Her funeral took place at
St. George's Chapel, Windsor and she was buried at
Frogmore Royal Burial Ground, Windsor Great Park.