Tea Time at Winter Palace
"In my end is my beginning" Mary Stuart •
History ♥ Russia ♥ United Kingdom ♥ India ♥ Downton Abbey ♥
History ♥ Russia ♥ United Kingdom ♥ India ♥ Downton Abbey ♥
On may 18 1868 Tsesarevitch Alexander Alexandrovitch (Alexander III) wrote in his diary, underlining the heading for emphasis : “The birth of our son Nikolai”
“… The pangs were stronger and stronger, and Minnie suffered a lot. Papa… helped me to hold my darling all the time. At last, at half past two, came the last minute and all the suffering stopped at once. God sent us a son whom we gave the name of Nikolai. What a joy it was, it is not to be described. I rushed to embrace my darling wife who cheered up at once and was terrifically happy. I was crying like a baby… We embraced with Papa and Mama wholeheartedly… We drank tea and talked with Minnie till 11, and I went several times to admire our little angel, and they took him to Minnie, too.”
“The marriage that began that night remained unflawed for the rest of their lives. It was a Victorian marriage, outwardly serene and proper, but based on intensely passionate physical love. On her wedding night, before going to bed, Alexandra wrote in her husband’s…
Captain George K.H. Coussmaker, Captain and Lieutenant of the 1st Foot Guards. Sir Joshua Reynolds, 1782. Detail.
30 Day Romanov Challenge - Day 5 : Favourite Grand Duke or Prince.
Prince Vladimir Paley (It was a hard choice because I admire many Grand Dukes of the Romanov family but I wanted to enlightening a favourite of mine who is often forgotten.)
Prince Vladimir was the son of the Grand Duke Paul, youngest son of Emperor Alexander II, and of Olga Valerianovna Karnovich, the daughter of a chamberlain in the Imperial Court. The mornagatic marriage of his parents prevented him from being considered a member of the Romanov dynasty but when you learn about him and his life you understand he deserved more than certain other members of the family to bear the name of Romanov.
He was an amazing gifted man, among music, painting he was primarily a poet, he impressed those around him with his extraordinary talents. It was particularly astonishing to see the natural and abundant way in which harmonious, bright verses flew from him. He learned quickly to play the piano and other instruments, and revealed most remarkable skills for drawing and painting. He learned to read and write with similar ability in French, English and German, and later in Russian as well. At a very early age he astounded people by his extensive reading and his extraordinary memory.
The Grand Duke wanted his son to follow the dynastic tradition of an army career, and in 1908 Prince Vladimir became a student in the Corps-des-Pages, the Saint Petersburg military school for aristocratic youngsters. When World War I broke out, he enlisted in the army like many other young patriotic men. Despite his position as the son of a Grand Duke he risked his life on several occasions, fighting in dangerous places, he was promoted to lieutenant for his courage. Much loved by his comrades, some did not hesitate to protect him with their bodies. The October Revolution in Russia and the beginning of the Bolshevik regime marked the first steps of a lengthy calvary for all the relatives of the Tsar who had chosen to stay in Russia. On March 4th, Vladimir went to the Cheka office in Petrograd. He was received by Uritzky, who made the young poet an insulting offer: “You are going to sign a paper saying that you cease to regard Paul Alexandrovich as your father, and then you will be free at once; if not, you will sign this other paper and that will mean exile.”
That was his last ticket to life, but Vladimir was a man of principle. Despite the fact that he was boiling over with rage, he didn’t answer and just kept his gaze firmly fixed on the Bolshevik commissar. Uritzky must have seen such a look of reproach and contempt that he said brusquely: “Very well, then, if that’s how it is, sign your sheet of departure into exile.”
He was atrociously murdered on 18 july 1918 with other member of the Romanov Family Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna, Grand Duke Sergey Mikhaylovich, Prince Ioann Konstantinovich, Prince Igor Konstantinovich, Prince Konstantin Konstantinovich and Sister Varvara Yakovleva, Fiodor Semionovitch Remez. He was only 21 years. He seemed called to become one of the great characters of Russian literature. An incredible man. Incredible.
(X)
“Volodya was an extraordinary being, a living instrument of rare sensitiveness, which could of itself produce sounds of startling melody and purity, and create a world of bright images and harmonies. In years and experience he was still a child, but his spirit had penetrated into regions eached only by a few. He had genius…” Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna “The Younger” Vladimir step-sister
“Do you think it’s too much?”
“I think it’s what she wants.”
“I think so too.”
Empress Maria Feodorovna (1847-1928), born Princess Dagmar of Denmark, visiting her old home in 1900.
Tsarina Alexandra with her daughter, Grand Duchess Marie, 1907.
So I just saw “The Great Gatsby” and surprisingly I really liked it, it was pretty good, despite the costumes’s anachronisms. A visually stunning film, and with very intense moments.
But I just wanted to say that DiCaprio was PERFECT, is the best actor of his generation, this men is a genius in what he does. He was amazing in this role like in all his roles, but in Gatsby he fascinated me, he has this way to catch you and you can’t look at an another person, is all about him. When he is acting, is a flood of feelings, there is an amazing ambivalance. I still have his image in my head, it’s like if he haunts me, his presence was powerfull, he is powerfull. Well done Leo you are definitely the best !
30 Day Romanov Challenge - Day 3 : Favourite Tiara/Jewelry.
The Grand Duchess Vladimir Tiara and Alexandra’s Coronet (It was heartbreaking to choose because I love all the Jewels of the Romanovs. ALL. )
This tiara was purchased by Queen Mary in 1921 from the collection of the Grand Duchess Vladimir, aunt of Tsar Nicholas II, for whom it was made in the 1880s. It comprises 15 intertwined diamond-set ovals from which hang pendant pearls. The pendant pearls can be interchanged with emeralds and The Queen has worn the tiara with both arrangements during her reign. (x)
Nicholas II offered to Alix, this unique coronet made by the House of Boucheron on the day of their engagement in 1894 . Suffering from severe headaches, she claimed that only this coronet relieved her pain : it was her totem jewel. (x)
Beautiful Princess Marina
“Dear Mama,
If only you knew how painful and distressing it is for me to upset you, yet I know my letter will bring you great sorrow and I ask you in advance to hear me out and forgive me…I am obliged to inform you that on the 16/29 October, that is, two weeks ago, I…
