Princess Marie Bonaparte, prior to her arranged marriage to Prince George of Greece, had been naïve about intimate matters. Her grandfather, who amassed a tremendous fortune through the establishment of the Monte Carlo Casino, left her a very wealthy woman. This wealth not only her lifestyle but also her later responsibilities.

Arranged Marriage for Procreation

Their families orchestrated the marriage between Princess Marie and Prince George with the primary goal of continuing the royal lineage. On their wedding night, Prince George, believing his actions were necessary for procreation, engaged in a sexual act that distressed Marie. He later apologized for causing her distress but justified his actions as essential for family continuation.

Despite this rocky start, Princess Marie personally funded Prince Philip of Greece's private schooling and provided financial support during his early years. After the Greek government exiled Prince Philip and his family in 1922, he lived on Marie's estate in Saint-Cloud, Paris, where she assisted him.

Prince George's Hidden Relationships

Prince George was openly homosexual within his closest circles and had been involved in a romantic affair with his uncle, Prince Valdemar of Denmark, from the age of 14. This relationship endured over the years, deeply influencing the dynamics within his marriage. George once confided his undying love for Valdemar to Marie, acknowledging Valdemar as his greatest and only friend.

Marie, though trapped in an unfulfilling marriage, embarked on numerous external relationships to find sexual satisfaction. Her affairs, however, were typically unfruitful, leading to more emotional frustrations. Celia Bertin, a biographer, commented on these affairs as being "decidedly unsuccessful".

Complex Love Triangles and Support Systems

The relationship dynamics in Marie's marriage allowed for sexual encounters that included Marie, George, and Valdemar. Marie herself described these interactions in her diary as the "deep sweet joy of a tête-à-tête à trois," indicating a complex interplay of relationships within the royal family.

Despite the personal challenges and unusual family dynamics, the marriage between Marie and George lasted for fifty years. It was a union marked by various complexities, including shared and individual sexual encounters which, according to biographer Celia Bertin, necessitated women to learn "the patience not to intrude upon their husbands' private moments."

Lasting Legacy and The End of an Era

Marie Bonaparte passed away in 1962 at the age of 80, and officials buried her next to Prince George in the royal burial ground at Tatoi Palace. Her support for Prince Philip not only aided in his education but also helped him ascend into the significant royal figure he later became.

The life of Princess Marie Bonaparte and her relations with the royal families of Europe reflect a narrative filled with both pecuniary and emotional intricacies. These personal accounts provide a deeper insight into the sacrifices and the unconventional paths tread by those bound by royal duties and expectations.