[1] She belonged to the Russian branch of the Mecklenburg-Strelitz family,[1] and as such, had many ties to her mother's native country.

The Princess of Battenberg was eager for Helene to marry her son Alexander, the reigning Prince of Bulgaria, but he was uninterested in her.

After their wedding, Helene and Albert spent half of the year in Russia, where he was much missed in Berlin society.

[1] In 1896, Albert and several other prominent social leaders left Berlin as a result of differences they held with Emperor Wilhelm II.

Helene remained in Russia until the Bolsheviks' success in the Russian Civil War forced her and her family to flee abroad in 1919.