Aleksandra Romanova

June 6, 1872 (age 46)

Darmstadt, daughter of Grand-Duke Louis of Hesse and Princess Alice of England

From the age of 6 (after her mother’s early death) lived in England with her grandmother Queen Victoria and became her favourite grand-child (nicknamed ‘Sunshine’). Travelled to Russia in 1884, when her elder sister Elizabeth married Grand-Duke Sergei (brother of Aleksander III). Met the heir to the throne, Nicholas, who later fell in love with her and, despite the opposition of his parents, married her (26 November 1894, one week after the funeral of his father, Aleksander III). Originally protestant, she changed to Orthodoxy before the marriage and coronation. Later became a victim of extreme mysticism caused by isolation from the Romanov dynasty and personal difficulties (though enjoying throughout her life the complete trust and devotion of her husband). Longed for many years for a male heir, and after four girls at last had a boy, suffering from haemophilia, transmitted through her from Queen Victoria. Turned for solace to miracle healers, religion and holy men, including the Siberian peasant, Rasputin. Never able to acquire popularity in her adopted country, vilified as a German during World War I (despite active charity work) and disliked by society as an adviser to the Tsar and patron of Rasputin. Thus she unwittingly helped to create a vacuum around the monarch. After the February Revolution 1917, under guard at Tsarskoe Selo (with her family). Exile to England was prevented by Lloyd George’s intervention. On Kerenskii’s orders the family was sent to Tobolsk, and disappeared in July 1918 in Ekaterinburg, where they had been held under Bolshevik guard at the Ipat’ev house. Their fate aroused considerable controversy. Some charred remains and jewellery was found in summer 1918 in disused mines near Ekaterinburg by the White forces, and it was assumed that the bodies of Aleksandra, her husband, son, four daughters and a small group of staff had been burnt.

Aleksandra Fedorovna Romanova

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also known as Born Alix Victoria Helene Louise Beatrice, Princess of Hesse-Darmstadt

Last Empress of Russia

Background

Romanova, Aleksandra was born on June 6, 1872 in Darmstadt, daughter of Grand-Duke Louis of Hesse and Princess Alice of England.

Career

From the age of 6 (after her mother’s early death) lived in England with her grandmother Queen Victoria and became her favourite grand-child (nicknamed ‘Sunshine’). Travelled to Russia in 1884, when her elder sister Elizabeth married Grand-Duke Sergei (brother of Aleksander III). Met the heir to the throne, Nicholas, who later fell in love with her and, despite the opposition of his parents, married her (26 November 1894, one week after the funeral of his father, Aleksander III).

Originally protestant, she changed to Orthodoxy before the marriage and coronation. Later became a victim of extreme mysticism caused by isolation from the Romanov dynasty and personal difficulties (though enjoying throughout her life the complete trust and devotion of her husband). Longed for many years for a male heir, and after four girls at last had a boy, suffering from haemophilia, transmitted through her from Queen Victoria.

Turned for solace to miracle healers, religion and holy men, including the Siberian peasant, Rasputin. Never able to acquire popularity in her adopted country, vilified as a German during World War I (despite active charity work) and disliked by society as an adviser to the Tsar and patron of Rasputin. Thus she unwittingly helped to create a vacuum around the monarch.

After the February Revolution 1917, under guard at Tsarskoe Selo (with her family). Exile to England was prevented by Lloyd George’s intervention. On Kerenskii’s orders the family was sent to Tobolsk, and disappeared in July 1918 in Ekaterinburg, where they had been held under Bolshevik guard at the Ipat’ev house.

Their fate aroused considerable controversy. Some charred remains and jewellery was found in summer 1918 in disused mines near Ekaterinburg by the White forces, and it was assumed that the bodies of Aleksandra, her husband, son, four daughters and a small group of staff had been burnt.

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Aleksandra Fedorovna Romanova

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