#dowager empress marie

[dangerousconnoisseurdonut]

It is my sad duty to tell those who haven't heard yet, that on this day, October 11, 2022, Angela Lansbury, has passed on. 😢😢😢

So, goodbye Mrs. Potts:

Dowager Empress Marie

Miss. Price

And, maybe my favourite for you, Jessica Fletcher.

And, for those who want to see a young Angela Lansbury, look up The Picture of Dorian Gray where she sings a bittersweet song, Goodbye Little Yellow Bird.

Wishing you all the best.

[empirearchives]

In Tsarist Russia, you can keep your job after killing the head of state, but then lose your job for moving a Christian icon.

*Palen was one of the conspirators of the assassination of Tsar Paul I, which Tsar Alexander was aware of.

[cinematicct]

Anastasia (1997)

From 20th Century Fox, this animated musical film is loosely based on the legend of the Grand Duchess Anastasia.

A wonderful cast of well-known actors lend their voices to each character: Meg Ryan as Anastasia “Anya” Romanov, John Cusack as former servant/con man Dimitri, Kelsey Grammer as Vladimir, Christopher Lloyd as sorcerer/former advisor Grigori Rasputin, Hank Azaria as Rasputin’s bat sidekick Bartok, Kirsten Dunst as eight-year-old Anastasia, Bernadette Peters as lady-in-waiting Sophie and Angela Lansbury as Anastasia’s grandmother, the Dowager Empress Marie.

The plot is mainly focused on the orphaned Anya teaming up with Dimitri and Vladimir to find out the truth about her past, while the two men plan to pose Anya as the long-lost Grand Duchess to present to the Dowager Empress, unaware she actually is Anastasia. Meanwhile, a revenge-driven Rasputin (the film’s antagonist) plots to destroy Anastasia upon learning she somehow escaped from his curse.

Meg Ryan is perfect as the voice of a headstrong girl willing to overcome any obstacle to find a home. John Cusack is exceptionally great at portraying someone who starts out curt, only to have a change of heart along the way. Kelsey Grammer is remarkably brilliant as a character of nobility who, in a way, helps Anya to see she’s more than just a normal person. Christopher Lloyd is wildly amusing as he lends his gravelly voice to an undead but powerful Rasputin. Hank Azaria (who alters his voice in a quirky tone to match a mild-mannered Bartok) is the comic relief of the film. Bernadette Peters’ vocal performance is just as marvelous as her onscreen/onstage performances. As for Angela Lansbury (who speaks in a Russian accent), the warmth of her distinctive voice clearly reflects a loving yet heart-stricken woman who’s the only surviving relative of Anastasia.

The animation is breathtaking since it is done in the style of a traditionally animated Disney film. In fact, the movie takes place in both St. Petersburg and Paris. The former is a bustling city of local gossip, whereas the latter is a city of luxury and shimmering lights. Elsewhere, Rasputin is in limbo (an intermediate afterlife) with an army of ghostly minions. There’s even a magical dream sequence where Anya wanders around the abandoned Winter Palace and imagines the ballroom coming back to life while dancing with spirits of the guests and the Romanovs. Not only do you see a work of innovative art, but the trip from Russia to France basically depicts Anya’s transition from ordinary to extraordinary.

The film itself takes an urban legend and turns it into a fantastical fairy tale. First of all, the Romanovs were the last among a 300-year family dynasty that ruled Russia until their execution in the midst of the Russian Revolution as a result of political incompetence by Czar Nicholas II (Anastasia’s father), thus ending the Russian monarchy (which also marked the beginning of communism). Second, Rasputin was a real-life mystical figure who’d been publicly accused of yielding too much influence over the Romanovs (whereas in the movie, he was exiled for treason), striking further hatred towards the Russian Empire. However, word soon spread of the alleged survival of Anastasia. This was because there were no proper burials for prisoners of war back then nor was there any scientific evidence to officially confirm whether or not she lived. It was during that time when a number of impostors came forward claiming to be Anastasia herself. On the other hand, the film shows Anastasia having survived the revolution, albeit with amnesia, in which she’s lost nearly all memory of herself (going by the name Anya) and her past. That’s where Dimitri comes in to take advantage of her likeness in order claim the reward money from her grandmother, only for his intentions to change entirely as he begins to develop true feelings for her, hence the growing romance between them.

The soundtrack includes spellbinding music and songs. The track list include: “A Rumor in St. Petersburg”, “Journey to the Past”, “Once Upon a December” (its sweet, mesmerizing melody serving as the only connection to Anya’s long-forgotten past), “In the Dark of the Night”, “Learn to Do It”, “Learn to Do It (Waltz Reprise)” and “Paris Holds the Key (To Your Heart)”. A pop/R&B version of “Journey to the Past” by Aaliyah is heard, along with an original pop song: “At the Beginning” (which describes the relationship between Anya and Dimitri) performed by Donna Lewis and Richard Marx.

Finally, the movie demonstrates how a journey of self-discovery can sometimes be life-changing. In other words, Anya’s search for her true identity led her to eventually recognize the best version of herself.

Though an alternate history retelling, to me, this particular film is a gorgeous take on one of the greatest mysteries of the 20th century. All in all, I recommend this timeless, enchanting movie to every fan of both animation and Russian history.

[myopic-chihuahua]

I’m just going to sit here and watch Anastasia in honor of Angela Lansbury, who was in it. 

[thecreativemillennial]

R.I.P to Dame Angela Lansbury, who recently passed away at the age of 96

[shrutithemisfit]

Just came up with another fancast...

[anastasiamusicalupdates]

Mary Beth Peil as the Dowager Empress and Max von Essen as Gleb on Broadway.

[mightbeagod]

HAS ANYONE WRITTEN AN ANASTASIA AU OF TGCF BCS CONSIDER:

Xie Lian as Anastasia

Hua Cheng as Dmitri

He Xuan as Vlad

Feng Xin and Mu Qing as Dowager Empress Marie

Shi Qingxuan as Sophie

Jun Wu as Rasputin

Qi Rong as Bartok

SOMEONE PLS WRITE THIS BCS IF NOT I WILL BE FORCED TO WRITE IT MYSELF AND I WILL BUTCHER IT CAUSE I AM FAILING ENGLISH

[thelittletsarina]

Massive Audio Gifting!

Anastasia:

Second National Tour

May 14, 2022 - Operachristinedaae

Matinée

Kyla Stone (Anya), Sam McLellan (Dmitry), Bryan Seastrom (Vlad), Brandon Delgado (Gleb), Madeline Raube (Countess Lily), Gerri Weagraff (Dowager Empress), Taya Diggs (Little Anastasia/Alexei), Mikayla Agrella (Tsarina Alexandra), Christian McQueen (Tsar Nicholas ii/Count Ipolitov/Count Gregory), Taylor Stanger (Prince Siegfried), Veronica Rae Jiao (u/s Odette), Dakota Hoar (Von Rothbart), Lauren Teyke (Olga Romanov), Lizzy Marie Legregin (s/w Tatiana Romanov/Dunya), Victoria Madden (Maria Romanov/Marfa), Veronica Rae Jiao (Young Anastasia/Paulina), Harrison Drake (Grolinsky/Count Leopold), Sarah Statler (Countess Gregory), Louis Brogna (Sergei), William Aaron Bishop, Evin Johnson

Link

Second US National Tour

November 4, 2022 - Operachristinedaae

Veronica Stern (Anya), Willem Butler (Dmitry), Bryan Seastrom (Vlad), Ben Edquist (Gleb), Gerri Weagraff (Dowager Empress), Madeline Raube (Countess Lily), Alexandrya Salazar (Little Anastasia/Alexei Romanov), Kaitlyn Jackson (Tsarina Alexandra), Amin Fuson (Tsar Nicholas ii), Brooklyn Liabo (Young Anastasia), Victoria Madden (Maria Romanov), Gabriella Burke (Olga Romanov/Odette), Thalia Atallah (Tatiana Romanov), Zachary Bigelow, Willam Aaron Bishop, Louis Brogna, Billy McGavin, Luke Rands, Lathan Roberts, Sarah Statler

Link

Second National Tour

November 5, 2022 - Operachristinedaae

Matinée

Veronica Stern (Anya), Willem Butler (Dmitry), Bryan Seastrom (Vlad), Ben Edquist (Gleb), Gerri Weagraff (Dowager Empress), Alexandrya Salazar (Little Anastasia/Alexei Romanov), Rebecca Hartman (u/s Tsarina Alexandra), Amin Fuson (Tsar Nicholas ii), Brooklyn Liabo (Young Anastasia/Paulina), Victoria Madden (Maria Romanov/Marfa), Gabriella Burke (Olga Romanov/Odette), Thalia Atallah (Tatiana Romanov/Dunya), Kaitlyn Jackson (u/s Countess Lily), Alec Llyod (u/s Prince Siegfried), Zachary Bigelow, Willam Aaron Bishop, Louis Brogna, Billy McGavin, Luke Rands, Sarah Statler

Link

Second National Tour

November 5, 2022 - Operachristinedaae

Rebecca Hartman (u/s Anya), Willem Butler (Dmitry), Bryan Seastrom (Vlad), Ben Edquist (Gleb), Gerri Weagraff (Dowager Empress), Kaitlyn Jackson (u/s Countess Lily), Leela Chopra (Little Anastasia/Alexei Romanov), Amy Smith (u/s Tsarina Alexandra), Amin Fuson (Tsar Nicholas ii), Brooklyn Liabo (Young Anastasia), Victoria Madden (Maria Romanov), Gabriella Burke (Olga Romanov/Odette), Thalia Atallah (Tatiana Romanov), Alec Lloyd (u/s Prince Siegfried), Zachary Bigelow, Louis Brogna, Billy McGavin, Luke Rands, Sarah Statler, Dominic Pagliaro (s/w)

(Rebecca’s Anya Debut & Dominic’s swing Debut)

Link

Second National Tour

December 10, 2022 - Operachristinedaae

Veronica Stern (Anya), Willem Butler (Dmitry), Bryan Seastrom (Vlad), Ben Edquist (Gleb), Gerri Weagraff (Dowager Empress), Madeline Raube (Countess Lily), Leela Chopra (Little Anastasia/Alexei Romanov), Kaitlyn Jackson (Tsarina Alexandra), Dominic Pagliaro (u/s Tsar Nicholas II/Count Ipolitov/Count Gregory), Brooklyn Liabo (Young Anastasia/Paulina), Victoria Madden (Maria Romanov/Marfa), Gabriella Burke (Olga Romanov/Odette), Thalia Atallah (Tatiana Romanov/Dunya), Zachary Bigelow (Suitor/Soldier), Willam Aaron Bishop (Romanov Servant/Train Smoker), Louis Brogna (Suitor/Sergei), Billy McGavin (Count Leopold), Luke Rands (Suitor/Von Rothbart), Lathan Roberts (Suitor/Prince Siegfried), Sarah Statler (Romanov Servant/Countess Gregory)

Link

Second National Tour

December 11, 2022 - Operachristinedaae

Veronica Stern (Anya), Willem Butler (Dmitry), Bryan Seastrom (Vlad), Ben Edquist (Gleb), Gerri Weargaff (Dowager Empress), Madeline Raube (Countess Lily), Leela Chopra (Little Anastasia/Alexei Romanov), Kaitlyn Jackson (Tsarina Alexandra), Dominic Pagliro (u/s Tsar Nicholas ii/Count Ipolitov/Count Gregory), Brooklyn Liabo (Young Anastasia/Paulina), Victoria Madden (Maria Romanov/Marfa), Gabriella Burke (Olga Romanov/Odette), Thalia Atallah (Tatiana Romanov/Dunya), Zachary Bigelow (Suitor/Soldier), Willam Aaron Bishop (Romanov Servant/train smoker), Louis Brogna (Suitor/Sergei), Billy McGavin (Count Leopold), Alec Lloyd (u/s Suitor/Von Rothbart), Lathan Roberts (Suitor/Prince Siegfried), Sarah Statler (Romanov Servant/Countess Gregory)

(Ben’s last show - Released by Operachristinedaae)

Link

Annie:

Third National Tour

January 28, 2023 - Operachristinedaae

Ellie Pulsifer (Annie), Christopher Swan (Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks), Stefanie Londino (Miss Hannigan), Julia Nicole Hunter (Grace Farrell), Andrew Scoggin (u/s Rooster Hannigan), Krista Curry (Lily St. Regis), Mark Woodard (F.D.R), Addison (Sandy), Riglee Ruth Bryson (Pepper), Bronte Harrison (Molly), Vivanne Neely (July), Izzy Pike (Kate), Kenzie Rees (Duffy), Valeria Velasco (Tessie), Bradley Ford Betos (Lt. Ward/Fred McCracken/Ickes/Brandeis), Harrison Drake (Drake), Laura Elizabeth Flanagan (Annette/Bonnie Boylan), Jataria Heyward (Mrs. Greer/Star To Be/Ronnie Boylan), Kevin Ivey Morrison (Apple Seller/Jimmy Johnson/Hull), Leanna Rubin (Sophie the Kettle/Mrs. Pugh/Perkins), Kaley Were (Cecile/Connie Boylan), Andrew Scoggin (Bundles McCloskey/Bert Healy/Howe), Mark Woodard (Dog Catcher), Aidan Ziegler-Hansen (s/w Asst. Dog Catcher/Sound Effects Man/Morganthau)

Link

Third National Tour

January 29, 2023 - Operachristinedaae

Matinée

Ellie Pulsifer (Annie), Christopher Swan (Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks), Stefanie Londino (Miss Hannigan), Julia Nicole Hunter (Grace Farrell), Andrew Scoggin (u/s Rooster Hannigan), Krista Curry (Lily St. Regis), Mark Woodard (F.D.R), Addison (Sandy), Riglee Ruth Bryson (Pepper), Bronte Harrison (Molly), Vivanne Neely (July), Izzy Pike (Kate), Kenzie Rees (Duffy), Valeria Velasco (Tessie), Bradley Ford Betos (Lt. Ward/Fred McCracken/Ickes/Brandeis), Harrison Drake (Drake), Laura Elizabeth Flanagan (Annette/Bonnie Boylan), Jataria Heyward (Mrs. Greer/Star To Be/Ronnie Boylan), Kevin Ivey Morrison (Apple Seller/Jimmy Johnson/Hull), Leanna Rubin (Sophie the Kettle/Mrs. Pugh/Perkins), Kaley Were (Cecile/Connie Boylan), Andrew Scoggin (Bundles McCloskey/Bert Healy/Howe), Mark Woodard (Dog Catcher), Aidan Ziegler-Hansen (s/w Asst. Dog Catcher/Sound Effects Man/Morganthau)

Link

My Fair Lady:

Sixth National Tour

May 6, 2023 - Operachristinedaae

Matinée

Madeline Powell (Eliza Doolittle), Jonathan Grunert (Henry Higgins), John Adkison (Colonel Pickering), Michael Hegarty (Alfred P. Doolittle), Nathan Haltiwanger (Freddy Eynsford-Hill), Becky Saunders (Mrs. Higgins), Madeline Brennan (Mrs. Pearce), Daniel James Canaday (Professor Zoltan Karpathy), Diana Craig (Queen of Transylvania), Torinae (Mrs. Eynsford-Hill), Blair Beasley (Clara Eynsford-Hill), Maeghin Mueller (Mrs. Hopkins), Kelly Gleason (Higgins’ maid/Flower Girl/Ensemble), Anna Backer (Higgins’ maid/Ensemble), Nick Berke (s/w Frank/Ensemble), Timothy Scott Brausch (Mrs. Higgins’ servant/ensemble), William Warren Carver (Loverly Quartet/Constable/Prince of Transylvania), Richard Coleman (Loverly Quartet/Jamie/Ensemble), Allyson Gishi (Higgins’ maid/ensemble), Sam Griffin (Charles/swing Loverly quartet/Lord Boxington), Sami Murphy (Lady Boxington/Ensemble), Kevin D. O’Neil (Harry/Ensemble), Kal Kail (Constable/Ensemble), Jackson Hurt (Loverly Quartet/Ensemble)

Link

Six:

Second National Tour (Boleyn)

July 11, 2023 - Operachristinedaae

Gerianne Pérez (Catherine of Aragon), Aryn Bohannon (s/b Anne Boleyn), Amina Faye (Jane Seymour), Cecilia Snow (s/b Anna of Cleves), Aline Mayagoitia (Katherine Howard), Sydney Parra (Catherine Parr)

Link

Wicked:

Broadway

January 7, 2023 - Operachristinedaae

Alyssa Fox (s/b Elphaba), Brittney Johnson (Glinda), James D. Gish (Fiyero), Clevant Derricks (The Wizard), Michele Pawk (Madame Morrible), Mikayla Renfrow (Nessarose), Yando Lopez (u/s Boq), Clifton Davis (Doctor Dillamond), Dashi Mitchell (u/s Chistery), Kristina Doucette (Witch's Mother), Kevin Massey (u/s Witch's Father / Ozian Official), Alicia Albright (s/w Ensemble), Micaela Martinez (s/w Ensemble), Hunter Mikles (s/w Ensemble), Allsun O'Malley (s/w Ensemble), Jesse JP Johnson (s/w Ensemble)

(Released by Operachristinedaae)

Link

Second National Tour (Munchkinland)

September 11, 2021 - Operachristinedaae

Matinée

Talia Suskauer (Elphaba), Allison Bailey (Glinda), Jordan Litz (t/r Fiyero), Cleavant Derricks (The Wizard), Sharon Sachs (Madame Morrible), Amanda Fallon Smith (Nessarose), DJ Plunkett (Boq), Clifton Davis (Doctor Dillamond), Travante S Baker (Chistery), Megan Loomis (Midwife), Marina Lazzaretto (Witch's Mother), Wayne Schroder (Witch's Father / Ozian Official), Nick Burrage (Ensemble), Jordan Casanova (Ensemble), Matt Densky (Ensemble), Marie Eife (Ensemble), Ryan Patrick Farrell (Ensemble), Sara Gonzales (Ensemble), Hunter Mikles (Ensemble), Hayden Milanes (Ensemble), Jennafer Newberry (Ensemble), Alicia Newcom (Ensemble), Jackie Raye (Ensemble), Rebecca Gans Reavis (Ensemble), Andy Richardson (Ensemble), Anthony Sagaria (Ensemble), Justin Wirick (Ensemble)

Link

Second National Tour (Munchkinland)

October 14, 2021 - Operachristinedaae

Talia Suskauer (Elphaba), Allison Bailey (Glinda), Curt Hansen (Fiyero), Cleavant Derricks (The Wizard), Sharon Sachs (Madame Morrible), Jackie Raye (u/s Nessarose), DJ Plunkett (Boq), Clifton Davis (Doctor Dillamond), Megan Loomis (Midwife), Marina Lazzaretto (Witch's Mother), Nick Burrage (Ensemble), Jordan Casanova (Ensemble), Matt Densky (Ensemble), Marie Eife (Ensemble), Ryan Patrick Farrell (Ensemble), Jenny Florkowski (s/w Ensemble), Sara Gonzales (Ensemble), Jordan Litz (Ensemble), Hunter Mikles (Ensemble), Hayden Milanes (Ensemble), Jennafer Newberry (Ensemble), Alicia Newcom (Ensemble), Rebecca Gans Reavis (Ensemble), Andy Richardson (Ensemble), Anthony Sagaria (Ensemble), Justin Wirick (Ensemble)

(Jackie Raye's Post Pandemic Nessarose Debut!)

Link

Second National Tour (Munchkinland)

March 20, 2022 - Operachristinedaae

Talia Suskauer (Elphaba), Allison Bailey (Glinda), Jordan Litz (Fiyero), Cleavant Derricks (The Wizard), Lisa Howard (Madame Morrible), Amanda Fallon Smith (Nessarose), DJ Plunkett (Boq), David Scott Purdy (u/s Doctor Dillamond), Travante S Baker (Chistery), Megan Loomis (Midwife), Alexia Acebo (Witch's Mother), Wayne Schroder (Witch's Father / Ozian Official), Nick Burrage (Ensemble), Jordan Casanova (Ensemble), Matt Densky (Ensemble), Marie Eife (Ensemble), Ryan Patrick Farrell (Ensemble), Sara Gonzales (Ensemble), Chelsea Cree Groen (Ensemble), Ryan Mac (Ensemble), Alicia Newcom (Ensemble), Jackie Raye (Ensemble), Rebecca Gans Reavis (Ensemble), Andy Richardson (Ensemble), Paul Schwensen (Ensemble), Justin Wirick (Ensemble), Anthony Lee Bryant (s/w Ensemble), Ben Susak (s/w Ensemble)

(Final performance for Talia, Allison, Amanda, DJ, and Cleavant - Released by Operachristinedaae)

Link

[reylokisses]

“You have the beauty of your mother, Alexandra. Empress of all Russia.”

I thought that line was really sweet - especially when you consider that in real life, the Dowager Empress Marie Feodorovna and the Tsaritsa Alexandra allegedly didn’t get along.

It’s admirable that the filmmakers included a line that involved women supporting each other!

On a more shallow note, I’ve always coveted Anya’s pyjamas in this scene. One day, I’m determined to recreate them!

[duchesssoflennox]

118 years ago on this day, Prince John of the United Kingdom, the youngest child of King George V and Queen Mary was born! He was named after his paternal uncle, Prince Alexander John, who died in infancy. John was said to be a bright, vibrant, healthy child in the first four years of his life. He was very cheeky and loved practical jokes, such as reportedly putting glue on door handles, and once famously referred to his father as the “ugly old man.” Above all, Prince John was part of an incredible royal dynasty. He was related to 20 reigning monarchs in Europe; his grandfather was King Edward VII, who reigned over an empire that was at its most powerful. But life wasn’t exactly easy for John and his siblings as they grew up under the incredibly strict guidance of their father, the future King George V, who was said to have put enormous pressure on his children to behave more like adults than children. “Lord Darby had a famous anecdote, that George V said to him ‘I was frightened of my father and I’m doing to make damn sure my children are frightened of me.’” Prince John's grandaunt the Dowager Empress of Russia wrote to her son Tsar Nicholas II that "George's children are very nice ... The little ones, George and Johnny are both charming and very amusing ..." In 1909, John began having seizures and was discovered to have epilepsy. When his condition deteriorated, he was kept away from the public eye and sent to live at Sandringham House, under the care of his nanny and governess, Charlotte Bill, known by the children as “Lala.” Apparently, all the children adored Lala, who had nursed them all as babies. In 1916, as his seizures became more frequent and severe, John was sent to live at Wood Farm, with "Lala" Bill having charge of his care. Though he maintained an interest in the world around him and was capable of coherent thought and expression, with his lack of educational progress, the last of his tutors was dismissed and his formal education ended. Physicians warned that he would likely not reach adulthood. His grandmother Queen Alexandra maintained a garden at Sandringham House especially for him and this became "one of the great pleasures of Prince John's life." After the summer of 1916, John was rarely seen outside the Sandringham Estate and passed solely into Lala Bill's care. After Queen Alexandra wrote that "Prince John is very proud of his house but is longing for a companion" Queen Mary broke from royal practice by having local children brought in to be playmates for Prince John. One of these was Winifred Thomas, a young girl from Halifax who had been sent to live with her aunt and uncle (who had charge of the royal stables at Sandringham) in hopes her asthma would improve. John's seizures intensified, and Bill later wrote "we dared not let him be with his brothers and sister, because it upsets them so much, with the attacks getting so bad and coming so often." He spent Christmas Day 1918 with his family at Sandringham House but was driven back to Wood Farm at night. On 18 January 1919, after a severe seizure, John died in his sleep at Wood Farm at 5:30 pm. Queen Mary wrote to Emily Alcock, an old friend that "for John it is a great relief, as his malady was becoming worse as he grew older, & he has thus been spared much suffering. I cannot say how grateful we feel to God for having taken him in such a peaceful way, he just slept quietly into his heavenly home, no pain no struggle, just peace for the poor little troubled spirit which had been a great anxiety to us for many years, ever since he was four years old"

She went on to add that "the first break in the family circle is hard to bear, but people have been so kind & sympathetic & this has helped us much." King George described his son's death simply as "the greatest mercy possible" On 20 January, the Daily Mirror said that "when the Prince John passed away his face bore an angelic smile"

John's funeral was at St Mary Magdalene parish church the funeral was attended by Sandringham House staff; "every single person on the estate went and stood around the gates and his grave was absolutely covered in flowers." Queen Alexandra wrote to Queen Mary that "now two darling Johnnies lie side by side" In her final mention of Prince John in her diary, Queen Mary wrote simply "miss the dear child very much indeed." Lala Bill always kept a portrait of Prince John above her mantelpiece, together with a letter from him that read "nanny, I love you."

[loiladadiani]

Irina Alexandrovna Romanova (1895 -1970)

When Grand Duke Alexander Mikhailovich married Grand Duchess Xenia Alexandrovna (sister of the then Tsarevich Nicholas Alexandrovich), he was marrying one of the best matches in Europe: Xenia was the daughter of the Tzar Alexander III and the sister of the future Tzar Nicholas II. She had been in love with "Sandro," her second cousin, since childhood (and he saw no reason to discourage her affections, of course)

Sandro and Xenia had seven children. Irina was their first child and only daughter. This beautiful, quiet, delicate child was the first grandchild of Alexander III (who died the year before she was born) and would be the only biological niece of Tzar Nicholas II.

During the first few years of their respective marriages, the Tzar and Empress Alexandra and Grand Duke Alexander and Grand Duchess Xenia spent a lot of time together, and their daughters Olga and Tatiana, and Irina being very close in age, spent a lot of time together and developed a relationship. Distance would later grow between the couples and the children.

By the time Xenia was pregnant with her seventh child, her marriage to Sandro had gone sour. Sandro had fallen in love with a French/Spanish woman and was having an affair with her. Subsequently, Xenia started an affair of her own. Some sources say that they managed to keep their marital problems from their children; others that their quarrels might have had something to do with Irina's decision to marry Prince Felix Yusupov when he asked.

Felix was handsome, extremely smart, and one of the richest men in Russia, but he had a reputation. Irina accepted him as a bridegroom regardless of her parents' misgivings. Felix had a wild youth which seemed to include affairs with men and women. He enjoyed dressing as a woman and wearing his mother's jewels; apparently, he even caught Edward VII's eye at some point. When the Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna talked with him about this behavior before his marriage to Irina, he did not deny it. Still, he said that his wild days were over, and he was very much in love with Irina.

Irina had no qualms about signing away succession rights for their future progeny when she married Felix, who was not royal (their marriage was morganatic.) She married him wearing a veil that had belonged to Marie Antoinette. Both looked beautiful. Their wedding was the last grand happening (1000 guests) before the Great War.

Felix and Irina were out of Russia when WWI started and had difficulty passing through Germany to return to Russia.

The Yusupovs settled in a section of Felix's parents' Moika Palace. Felix and Irina had one daughter (whom they named Irina but called "Bebe") and helped the war effort in Russia by opening two hospitals and a sanatorium in their Crimean state of Koreiz.

Felix would go on to kill Rasputin (he was banished to Koreiz by the Tzar) in a misguided effort to help the dynasty survive. As things in Russia became worse. A group of members of the Imperial Family, including the Dowager Empress, Irina's parents and brothers, and several Grand Dukes and their families, avoided being imprisoned and murdered by seeking shelter in Crimea. The Russians held them, prisoner until the Treaty of Brest-Livtosk was signed. Interestingly enough, the Germans liberated them. They left Russia in a warship sent by England to rescue the Dowager Empress.

They lived in an apartment Felix had in London; they had also smuggled out paintings and jewelry. There was a car they had not used in years waiting in a garage in Paris. The couple was extremely generous to the Russian Community and gave a lot to the exiles in need. They eventually bought a mansion in Paris and opened a couture house in Paris, which was very successful for a few years.

Felix and Irina lead an expensive lifestyle, and their couture business went bankrupt (after significant success.) By 1934, as luck would have it, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer released a film named "Rasputin and the Empress." Felix sued the company for slandering Irina and won the lawsuit. He also released two books which did very well.

After this, the coupled lived a quiet life (for them), supporting young artists and attending various functions of the Russian emigre community.

Irina remained close to all her relatives and helped them whenever she could. Her father, Grand Duke Alexander Mikhailovich, died in her arms.

Felix's and Irina's marriage turned out to be a great success. They were married and lived together, supporting and caring for each other for over fifty years. When Felix died in 1967, Irina was grief-stricken. She died three years later.

[homomenhommes]

Red Cross Portraits Egg (1915)

Description: Opalescent white guilloché enamel covers a chased silver ground on this egg. Two opposing red enamel crosses bear the dates 1914 and 1915. A Russian inscription, in stylized gold enamel script in a band around the egg reads: “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his comrades.” On the top of the egg is the crown and monogram of the Dowager Empress Marie in silver, while at the bottom is a six-petal rosette. The egg contains a hinged, folding screen of five oval miniature portraits, each set in an opalescent white enameled panel mounted in gold. The portraits, by Vasilii Zuiev, are of:

Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna, the tsar’s sister Grand Duchess Olga Nicolaievna, his eldest daughter Tsarina Alexandra Feodorovna Grand Duchess Tatiana Nicolaievna, the tsar’s second daughter Grand Duchess Marie Pavlovna, the tsar’s first cousin

Each wears the uniform of the Red Cross, whose symbol surmounts the individual panels. Each miniature is backed with mother of pearl and has the monogram of the person whose painting appears on the front (Snowman, 1962; Lesley, 1976).

Background Notes: This egg pays tribute to the service rendered to the Red Cross by Marie Feodorovna, first as tsarevna (crown princess) during the Russo-Turkish War of 1877, and then as president of the organization from the beginning of her reign until the fall of the Romanov dynasty. On March 25 (OS), 1915, Marie wrote to her daughter Olga:

My dear Nicky sent me a charming egg that I did not expect at all this year. It is covered in white enamel and has a red cross on both sides with the words of the Apostle John: Greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends. There are five miniature portraits in frames inside the egg: yours, Olga, Alix, Tatiana and Marie, all en soeurs to charité (Ed. note: as sisters of charity)! Simply captivating. Fabergé is simply a genius and the greatest artist of our century. I am delighted. (Korneva & Cheboksarova, Empress Maria Feodorovna’s Favorite Residences in Russia and in Denmark, St. Petersburg, 2006).

Marie Feodorovna and other Romanov women did not shirk their wartime duty. The dowager empress opened a hospital in the Anichkov Palace and she made bandages. As well, she made gifts and sorted sheets for sickbeds in a palace dining room; she paid for two military trains and visited hospitals in Petrograd and Kiev. In a letter dated December 15 (OS) 1914 to Grand Duchess Nicholas Michaelovich, Marie wrote:

I go to hospitals as often as I am able. This is the only consolation for me. All of the wounded are dear to us and ennoble one’s soul … I admire them sincerely and I am ready to go on my knees before every one of them (Korneva & Cheboksarova, Empress Maria Feodorovna’s Favorite Residences in Russia and in Denmark, St. Petersburg, 2006).

The invoice for the 1915 Tsar Imperial Easter eggs appears lost. But an article published by Tatiana Muntian in December, 2013, to mark the 400th anniversary of the Romanov dynasty, included material from newly-discovered documents about the individual Imperial Easter Eggs for 1912, 1914, and 1915. The Red Cross Portraits Egg had cost just 3,875 rubles.

The 1917 inventory of confiscated Imperial treasure records, “Gold [sic] egg, covered with white enamel and a red cross, on small stand, containing a small, mother-of-pearl white enamel screen and with portraits of Imperial personages in a gold setting.” (Fabergé, Proler, & Skurlov, Fabergé Imperial Easter Eggs, London, 1997)

An expert valuation was made of this egg in 1927. Found by Fabergé, Proler, & Skurlov, the valuation estimated the egg’s worth at just 1,632 rubles-less than a tenth of the average value of the other fifteen eggs on the list. This was the first of five Imperial Easter eggs to be purchased by Lillian Thomas Pratt, wife of a General Motors executive, of Fredericksburg, Virginia.

[foreverinthepagesofhistory]

“Minnie” and “Greek Minnie”

Grand Duchess Maria Georgievna (née Princess of Greece and Denmark) with her aunt, Empress Maria Feodorovna (née Princess Dagmar of Denmark), early 1900s

[graceofromanovs]

GODPARENTS OF PRINCE GAVRIIL KONSTANTINOVICH

Prince Gavriil Konstantinovich was born on 15 July 1887 in the Grand Bedroom of Empress Maria Feodorovna at Pavlovsk Palace, Saint Petersburg. The second son of Grand Duke Konstantin Konstantinovich of Russia and his German-born wife Grand Duchess Elizabeth Mavrikievna, he was christened on 8 August at 1:30 pm at a private church of Pavlovsk. His godparents were:

ALEXANDER III, EMPEROR OF RUSSIA - his father’s first cousin was named as one of his many godparents. He was highly reactionary in domestic affairs and reversed some of the liberal reforms of his father, Alexander II. He was most likely present at his young cousin’s christening.

GEORGE I, KING OF GREECE - his uncle, the husband of Queen Olga Konstantinovna, was one of his godparents. Born a Danish prince, he was elected king by the Greek National Assembly, when he was only 17. His reign of almost 50 years (the longest in modern Greek history) was characterized by territorial gains as Greece established its place in pre–World War I Europe.

GRAND DUCHESS ALEXANDRA IOSIFOVNA OF RUSSIA - his paternal grandmother, born a German princess, was listed as one of his godparents. Married to Grand Duke Konstantin Nikolaevich of Russia in 1848, she was considered a beautiful woman, but plagued by insecurity. Within the family, she was later known to be a formidable character.

GEORGE II, DUKE OF SAXE-MEININGEN - his maternal great-uncle, was the penultimate Duke of Saxe-Meiningen, reigning from 1866 to 1914. He was likely present, having been named as one of his young nephew's godparents.

ERNST I, DUKE OF SAXE-ALTENBURG - a paternal great-uncle named as a godparent of the young prince, was the reigning Duke of Saxe-Altenburg from 1853 until 1908. He was of a retiring disposition and he took little active part in running the country, of which he ruled for fifty-five years.

GRAND DUCHESS VERA KONSTANTINOVNA OF RUSSIA - one of his paternal aunt, Vera was known in royal circles as an eccentric both in appearance and behaviour. She was named as one of Gabriel's godparents, and was present at the christening. Although she kept in touch with her Romanov relatives, visiting Russia many times, she identified more closely with her adopted country, Württemberg.

GRAND DUKE DMITRI KONSTANTINOVICH OF RUSSIA - his paternal uncle, and his favourite, was also one of his godparents. He followed a military career, and was religious. He never married, and was one of several Romanov relatives executed by a firing squad at the walls of Peter and Paul Fortress during the Russian Civil War.

MARIE FRIEDRIKE, DOWAGER DUCHESS OF SAXE-MEININGEN -  his maternal great-grandmother was one of his godparents. Born a Princess of Hesse-Kassel, she married the Duke of Saxe-Meiningen, with whom two children (seventeen years apart) were born.

PRINCESS AUGUSTA OF SAXE-MEININGEN - his maternal grandmother was absent at her grandson's christening, of whom she was named as one of his godparents. In 1862, she married Prince Moritz of Saxe-Altenburg, and bore him five children.

GEORG, PRINCE OF SCHAUMBURG-LIPPE - the husband of his maternal aunt, was also absent at the young prince's christening but was named as one of his numerous godparents. He ruled the small Principality of Schaumburg-Lippe within the German Empire from 1893 to 1911.

Source

[adini-nikolaevna]

What were the appearances of Nicholas I's daughters? What were the physical characteristics of Maria, Olga and Alexandra? And who was the sister who was considered the most beautiful, majestic, and admired in Europe? And of course, which daughter of Nicholas and his wife Alexandra did he find most beautiful?

Hi! Here are a few firsthand accounts for you:

“The three princesses, Olga, Marie, and Alexandrine enchanted me more than any beauties have for a long time.  They are surely the most beautiful creatures I've ever seen.  Olga is really imperially proud--a great beauty; Alexandrine is the highest loveliness, delicacy, and grace.  Marie is the least beautiful, but interesting and the most lively of the three.” —Robert Schumann

“Grand Duchesses Olga and Alexandra Nikolaevna were of such amazing beauty that, in my opinion, they had no rivals in the aristocratic world at that time.” — Count Mikhail Buturlin

“The Grand Duchess Olga Nikolaevna, beloved of all the Russians; it is indeed impossible to imagine a more lovely face, which would express such a degree of gentleness, kindness, and tolerance. She is very slim, her face translucent, and her eyes have that unusual sparkle which poets and lovers describe as heavenly […] The very youngest grand duchess, Alexandra […] still has something of the child in her; she is very lively and mischievous, and is promising to be the most beautiful of all the sisters.” — Dutch General Friedrich Gagern

“Little Marie is grace personified.” — Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna of Russia

“She [Maria]was prettier, the butterfly had fluttered out of the cocoon. Her resemblance to Papa was now particularly pronounced, and in profile she seemed his miniature… She combined a strict classical face with lively facial expressions.  Her forehead, nose, and mouth were completely regularly, her shoulders and chest were perfectly developed, and her waist was so slender that the band from her Greek coiffure would fit around it.— Queen Olga of Württemberg

“She [Maria] is a bit taller than me, a miniature as to features of her father... she is very lively, and has much frankness and abandon in her manner, & certainly is attractive.” — Queen Victoria

“My little Oline [Olga] is without question the most beautiful child you could hope to see.” — Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna of Russia

“The Grand Duchess Olga, the second of the Emperor's daughters, has no rival in beauty amongst the princesses of Europe; and in this instance, flattery, in asserting her to be the loveliest girl in her father's dominions, scarcely outstrips the truth.” — Charles Frederick Hennigsen

“… a tall and slender blonde, a perfect beauty, with the profile of a cameo and big blue eyes. It was the middle daughter of the empress, Grand Duchess Olga Nikolaevna, subsequently the Queen of Wuerttemberg, one of the most beautiful women in Europe.” — A.I. Sokolova

“The answer to the ordinary vulgar question of which of the three grand duchesses (Maria, Olga, and Alexandra Nikolaevna) was most beautiful is very difficult to say, but in my opinion, the Grand Duchess Alexandra Nikolaevna stood above her sisters in this respect because her beauty was unearthly, like a creature doomed by Providence to leave this world in her youngest years.” — Prince Alexander Vasilyevich Meshchersky

“Alexia [Alexandra] is certainly a remarkable child, as beautiful as the day and so good.” — Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna of Russia

“The three young Princesses were the most beautiful of all the family: Marie, her father's favorite, blonde with blue eyes and a delicate complexion, small, rather thin, recalling to mind the Great Catherine, not only by her fine profile, but also by certain traits in her spontaneous, impulsive, and sensual nature; Olga--a beautiful, noble, pale figure, slender and elegant, with a spiritual expression, and superb black hair framing the absolutely pure oval of her face; finally Alexandrine, the youngest, with a long neck and narrow chest, lively, teasing, a frail and fragile figure full of grace and childish gaiety, generally considered to be the living portrait of her mother.” — Constantine de Grunwald

“Mary is in the giraffe stage, is pale and thin, but has charming characteristics and will be a delightful individual; Olly has kept her kind of face but is getting thin and growing a lot; Adini is very small and very mischievous, but I do not think she is pretty in spite of others' opinions.” — Emperor Nicholas I of Russia (16 February 1828)