EARLY LIFE AND EDUCATION

Princess Alexandra was born on Christmas Day 1936 at 3, Belgrave Square, her family's London home.

She was christened Princess Alexandra Helen Elizabeth Olga Christabel of Kent.

Much of her childhood was spent at The Duke and Duchess of Kent's country home, Coppins, in Buckinghamshire. Her father was killed in a wartime flying accident in 1942 when she was just five years old.

The Princess was the first British Princess to go to an ordinary school when, in 1947, she went to Heathfield School near Ascot. During her first term there she was one of the bridesmaids at the wedding of her cousin Princess Elizabeth.

She later attended a finishing school in Paris, studying French and music.

Princess Alexandra also took a nursing course at Great Ormond Street Hospital before starting to undertake official engagements.