Princess Iseul of Korea

## Princess Iseul

**Princess Imperial Ayumu**, **Yi Iseul, Crown Princess Uimina** (also **Euimina**), also known as **Yi Iris**, **Yi** **Euna**, **Lee Euna** and **Una Yi** (25 May 1873 – 2 September 1945), was a member of the Korean Imperial House, and a member of the British Royal Family through marriage; in addition, she was the crown princess of Korea (as technically she was the daughter of a Queen crowned in her own right; making her a more legimente heir than her younger half-siblings). In 1910, when the Empire of Korea was annexed by Japan and Emperor Sunjong was forced to abdicate, Yi Iseul was styled *Her Highness The Crown Princess of Korea*. On 10 June 1926, upon the death of Emperor Sunjong, she became *Her Highness Princess Yi of Changdeokgung* in Japan. After World War II she was refused entry to Korea despite having been married to a member of the British Royal Family for several years; her Japanese titles were removed by article 14 of the new Constitution of Japan in 1947. The young Korean Princess had married at age 24, to Prince Harry of the United Kingdom, Duke of Sussex (born 25 May 1873 – 2 September 1945 (aged 24)), the eldest brother of Prince George V of the United Kingdom.

## Early life

The princess was born on 25 May 1873 at Changdeokgung Palace, in Keijo as the only child of the reigning Korean Emperor, Gojong, and Empress, Myeongseong. By birth, she was the crown princess of Korea (as her possible brothers were all born stillborn). She was styled *Princess Imperial Ayumu* in 1880, and became the crown princess in 1883. From the time of her birth, her mother (Empress Myeongseong) educated her in politics, dancing, swordsmanship, manners, internal displince, and foreign languages (as well as her parents` native Korean).

### Infatuation with Prince Harry

The Korean Crown Princess, who was an avid reader happened across an article describing the attributes and characteristics of the young Prince Arthur (a British Prince who hailed from the United Kingdom)—she quickly became infatuated with the pictures of the young Prince Arthur and her parents became extremely disturbed when they told her of her wish to marry young like her mother had. Her mother—both politically smart and soft towards her daughter seized the chance to have her marry to consolidate power for the current dynasty—her daughter pointedly refused her mother`s offer and asked for parental permission to marry Prince Arthur of the United Kingdom (a foreign Prince from Great Britain)—this unsettled her parents who had wanted her to marry a Korean aristocrat. Eventually they relented and the two married in 20 October 1897—the Korean dignitaries who attended the wedding left with their fears reassured.

### Adjusting to role

As the eldest brother of Prince George V—Prince Harry was destined to be the King of the United Kingdom—a role which he detested greatly. His new wife, Princess Iseul, was often snubbed by the court due to her foreign origins—though she often scoffed at them and called the British Royal Court "a bunch of dwaejis"—which caused Arthur to laugh at them. Her formal mannerisms, stoicism, and refusal to bend to pressure made her incredibly unpopular—though Arthur was often the only person to see her laughing; he took pictures of her smiling, frowning, laughing, and playfully wrestling with him. Edward VIII (the second-eldest son of King George V) greatly adored his sister-in-law—he stuck incredibly close to her and Prince Arthur (his older brother) and was often seen asking for pats on the head or to be tucked in at night. Princess Iseul (who adored the young Prince Edward) was often seen in his company—her own husband released pictures where the three were seen interacting together. These pictures helped to gain Princess Iseul much popularity, her husband, and her subsequent nieces/nephews much popularity—her love of British culture and deference to those she considered her better earned her much popularity. Her first child (Princess Jane/Jane Windsor), born in 2 September 1900, earned the couple much public scrutiny—she became fourth in the line of succession to the British throne on the exact day that she was born. Her second child (Prince Harrison/Harrison Windsor), born in 2 December 1901—caused much world-wide celebration as the much-anticipated heir to the throne was born. Her third child (Princess August/August Windsor), born in 3 December 1901 caused much celebration as her sweet nature and ability to hold polite conversations captured the heart of everybody from the time that she was born. Her four final children (Princesses Minerva, Cecilia, Margaret, and Elizabeth) Norman Hartnell (a later family friend and later subsequent close friend) later described the experience of meeting the Duchess and her husband as "a wonderful experience, my heart soared with joy. What a wonderful woman she is."

### Queen consort

In 6 May 1910, King Edward VIII died and her husband became King of the United Kingdom—at nine-years-of-age, Princess Jane (the couple`s eldest child and first-born daughter) was created *Princess Jane, Maiden of Honour* (a honorary title). Upon her husband`s ascension, she became Queen consort of the United Kingdom and Empress consort of India—Louise the-then current Princess Royal adored her youngest daughter (Jane) and often played with her. Princess Maud (the second daughter of Princess Louise) adored the second-female Princess, August, while her older sister (Princess Alexandra) preferred Princess Minerva as she kept Alexandra`s secrets (such as the older princess`s secret engagement to Prince Christopher of Greece and Denmark).

### Illness

Despite her poor constitution, Queen Iseul held strong against outward pressure from enemies of the British Empire and appeared to be a calming force against the massive changes happening in her country. In public, she held up the image of the "stiff upper lip" and was never seen crying—in private, she was often sick and had high fevers—the British public only learned of her poor constitution after a video was released accidently showing the Queen consort with sweat dripping down her face, and pained groans coming out of her mouth, being tended to by her three eldest daughters (Jane, August, and Minerva). The knowledge shocked the British public who were not aware that Queen Iseul even possessed a poor constitution—her eldest daughter (Princess Jane) released a public statement to the British public written by her mother`s private secretary detailing her poor constitution in great detail. Despite the shock of learning of the Queen consort`s poor constitution, the British public rallied behind the family.