The First Modern Princess. Born in 1897, Princess Mary was the only daughter of King George V and Queen Mary. Despite her Victorian beginnings, she strove to make a princess' life meaningful, using her elevated position to help those less fortunate and defying gender-based conventions about a woman of her standing should be able to do. From her heavy involvement in the war effort, visiting wounded soldiers and training as a nurse, to her role in many of the 20th century's key events in royal history, Mary was one princess who paved the way for the modern age. Hardback edition, in English, 288 pages, 16 b/w illustrations.