The Real Story Behind The Ice Princess On General Hospital

After legendary character Luke Spencer's off-screen death in January, there has been much speculation as to the reemergence of the Ice Princess — a massive and valuable uncut diamond that's become a renewed topic of conversation in Port Charles. However, newer viewers might not remember the origin story of this mysterious rock, which first appeared on the show 40 years ago, or the nefarious purposes it was used for.

The Ice Princess was first mentioned in 1981 when Alex Quartermaine (Renee Anderson) came to Port Charles and hired Luke Spencer (Anthony Geary) (via Soaps in Depth). It was after that, World Security Bureau agent Robert Scorpio (Tristan Rogers) soon showed up in town badgering Luke about the whereabouts of the Ice Princess — something Luke had never heard of.

Robert explained that the Ice Princess was a large uncut diamond that Alex had obtained and spray-painted black to make it appear as a statuette, and he wanted to hire Luke as well to help him find it. It was also revealed that Alex had tried to have the diamond shipped to her in Port Charles but it was lost in transit, leading all three on a frantic search to find it — along with Tony Cassadine (Andre Landzaat).

Soon after the search for the diamond started, Luke and Robert teamed up in their hunt (via Soap Central). However, Alex and Tony, who were working together, had a leg up on their search and were aware that the base of the Ice Princess held the formula to a massive weapon. Both groups followed the trail to Cassadine Island in Greece where it was revealed that Mikkos Cassadine (John Colicos) wanted to use the Ice Princess to freeze the world. In a bizarre "General Hospital" plot line, Mikkos revealed he planned to plunge Port Charles into an ice age as a warning to world leaders so he could garner power over them.

By this time Laura Webber (Genie Francis) had joined forces with Luke and Robert, who had discovered an ice chamber on the island where Mikkos was keeping frozen bodies. After a physical struggle between Luke and Mikkos, Luke was able to throw Mikkos into the ice chamber, killing him. Luke then guessed the password to the weather machine — "iceprincess" — and was able to shut it down, effectively saving the world (via Soaps In Depth).

After Luke's passing earlier this year, his widow, Tracy Quartermaine (Jane Elliot), tried to give the Ice Princess (which had been in Luke's possession since the '80s) to Laura (Soaps in Depth). While Laura rejected the offer, Spencer Cassadine (Nicholas Chavez) was interested. Tracy then decided to use a piece of the Ice Princess to finance her new life overseas but was soon found the diamond she had to be a fake.

Realizing the authentic Ice Princess had been stolen and replaced, the WSB, including agent Anna Devane (Finola Hughes), went in search for the prized diamond. They followed the clues to an auction for the diamond, and Jennifer Smith (Holly Gagnier), an old love of Luke's, was there waiting to bid on it. However, Valentin Cassadine (James Patrick Stuart) had already charmed his way into Jennifer's hotel under an alias, planting the Ice Princess in her safe, and led the WBS to believe she was the thief (via Soaps).

As of this writing, it hasn't yet been explained how Valentin came into possession of the Ice Princess or why he chose to frame Jennifer, but Anna believes somehow the whole situation ties back to Victor Cassadine. Is it possible Valentin has gone to the dark side and is working with his long lost father?