Greece's uncrowned English 'queen': How forgotten Joyce Brittain-Jones was the great secret love of King George II and helped him cope with Nazi onslaught in WWII - but pair's romance ended in tragedy By Christopher Wilson Published: 13:42 BST, 25 May 2024 | Updated: 13:45 BST, 25 May 2024 e-mail View comments She was a startlingly striking English beauty who was the uncrowned 'queen' of Greece for almost 12 years – yet nobody now knows her name. She does not appear in official documents, has no place in the history books or in authorised biographies. She has been airbrushed from history.
But Joyce Brittain-Jones was the great love of King George II of Greece. She was the secret mistress whose support was vital when his country came up against Nazi Germany in the Second World War . Known variously as 'J', Miss Brown, and Mrs Jones, she kept in the shadows.
Without her, George - a first-cousin of Prince Philip - wouldn't have been able to cope with the pressures of war. Joyce was his rock. Joyce Brittain-Jones was the great love of King George II of Greece, but has been airbrushed from history.
Above: The English beauty on her wedding day in 1924. She married Jack Brittain-Jones, a soldier in the 1st Battalion, Black Watch Without Joyce, George - a first-cousin of Prince Philip - wouldn't have been able to cope with the pressures of war. She was his rock.
Above: King George II of Greece In London , our own King George's wartime reign in exile could never have succeeded as it.