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Nicholas chatting with a lady.

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Alexei and his dog Joy watering the plants.

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Alix and officers.

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Alix in Livadia chatting to a soldier.

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Alexei walking by Livadia palace.

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Olga, Tatiana, Maria and Anastasia if they had lived the 1920's.

(made by A.I)

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200th anniversary of St. Petersburg. Grand opening of the Trinity Bridge

May 16, 1903

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Interiors of the Terem Palace in the Kremlin, Moscow

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Portrait of Empress Catherine the Great

By Etienne Maurice Falconet

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Louis IV Grand Duke of Hesse and by Rhine with his two eldest daughters Princess Victoria and Princess Elizabeth, 1883.

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Tsarevich Alexei of Russia’s baptismal gown and pillow.

Russia, Moscow. A. and V. Sapozhnikovs Trade House.

Gown (1895?). Silver edge fabric, lace on silk, hand and machine stitching.

Pillow (1895). Golden edge fabric, gold fringe, gold tassels, satin bands, down feathers, hand and machine stitching.

On 24 August, 1904, the Romanov Dynasty Heir Alexei Romanov, who was born earlier that summer, was christened in the Russian Orthodox tradition in the church of the Grand Peterhof Palace. Tsarevich Alexei had a number of godparents, including Kaiser Wilhelm.  His principal godmother was his grandmother Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna and principal godfather was Grand Duke Alexei Alexandrovich.

As per tradition, the eldest lady-in-waiting of the imperial court, Maria Golitsyna, carried the child in her arms. Maria was already an elderly woman by that time and Empress Alexandra Fedorovna is said to have been fearful that she would drop the long-awaited child.

To avoid this, gold ribbons were sewn to the gold pillow on which the baby was lying. At the same time, the maid-in-waiting's shoes were fitted with rubber non-slip soles.

This occasion was the first time the young Grand Duchesses Olga and Tatiana and their cousin Princess Irina Alexandrovna, were present at an official ceremony.

All the little grand duchesses also had the opportunity to pose for photographs in small Court dresses and kokoshniks (traditional Russian head dresses).

"During the baptism of the baby, there was a wonderful incident that attracted the attention of all those present," wrote one of the prints present. "When the newborn Tsarevich was anointed with holy peace, he raised his hand and stretched out his fingers, as if blessing those present."

From the diary of Tsar Nicholas II: “11 (24 N.S) August, 1904. A remarkable day of the christening of our dear son. The morning was clear and warm. Until 9 1/2 golden carriages and Platoon Convoy, Hussars and Hetmans stood in front of the house on the road to the sea. At five [minutes] to 10 the procession started. Half an hour later [we] went to the cottage. Saw Mama at Christian’s who just arrived on behalf of Apapa. Went to the Grand Palace with Misha. The christening began at 11 o’cl. Later learned that little Alexei was very calm. Olga, Tatiana, Irina and the other children came out for the first time and excellently withstood the entire length of service. The main recipients were Mama and Uncle Alexei. After obednya [I] received the diplomats, and then had a big breakfast. Returned home only at 3 1/4 and congratulated darling Alix with the christening. The weather turned bad, and it started pouring. Alix saw many people lying down on the sofa. I spent the rest of the day at home. In the evening Militza and Stana sat with us.”

You can learn more about the traditions surrounding the christening of imperial heirs here and read the manifesto of the event here.

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