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Grand duchess Anastasia Romanov at Alexander palace circa-1916

Extract from letter written by Anastasia

June 14th 1915;

"...We've just had breakfast in the balcony. It was so pleasant. At the service the choir sang "Lord, have mercy upon us!" by Tchaikovsky and we were all thinking about you, Father dear. Yesterday evening we were at Anya's (Vyrubova). Demenkov, Shvedov and Zborovsky were there, too. We were to rehearse the comic item of the programme. We were dying of laughter looking at the actors... Uncle Pavel will, of course, have tea with us. So dull... When we are at home we sit in the balcony all the time and have dinner there, too... Ortino has rushed into the room and is running about looking for you. When she failed to find you she jumped up on Mother's lap... I am sitting now and grating carrots and radishes. Very tasty. At 11 a.m. I go to Aleksey's room and gobble Aleksey's food samples. Almost all teachers also take part in it. I miss dear Shvybzik (Anastasia's dog). I still have the cigarettes you gave me and I smoke them sometimes with pleasure and thank you very much. The lilacs are finishing blossoming already..."

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Grand duchess Tatiana and Maria playing with kittens circa-1908

Extract of letter from Tatiana to her father, tsar Nicholas ii

March 28 1916:

"... We were working on the ice today. It was fine. Mother spent some time near us sitting in her arm-chair. We saw and heard a hundred of Escort pass by. They were singing very well. As soon as they noticed us they stopped singing, but I ordered them to go on. I played you, wasn't that fun?! Ortino is lying on the floor now and gnawing his foot-ball. We have just finished dinner. Mother is reading, Olga and Maria are writing verses making fun of the nurses from the Grand Palace hospital, but they don't have any rhyme, of course, because they will be sung but not recited... We smoked one cigarette with Olga. Thanks a lot for it..."

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Letter from Maria

April 18 1915:

"...We have just finished dinner. Aleksey has come to Mother's to pray. Sisters are sorting out the flowers sent from Livadia by the Yanovs. Mother is trying to send Anastasia to bed but she is desperately trying to find Shvybzik which is missing. Everybody is calling him but he would not come, merzavets. He was found at last 10 minutes later. We all thought that he was under the sofa. Mother started to bark and Shvybzik answered. he appeared to be sitting under Mother's couch and we all put a great effort in pulling him out of there. I continue writing next morning at 8 a.m. I've just drawn back the curtain and was delighted to see that it was 19 degrees above zero in the sun. Alexey has come into our bedroom and is now lying in my bed and is playing with Anastasia and Shvybzik. Sisters are still sleeping. Shvybzik is squeaking. I think, he wants to see the "Governor". He has done it already and Anastasia has run in with a small shovel and took it away..."

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Grand duchess Olga Nikolaevna, Count Ilya Leonidovich Tatishchev, Pierre Gilard, Countess Anastasia Vasilyevna Gendrikova, Grand duchess Tatiana Nikolaevna and Countess Ekaterina Adolfovna Schneider in the Governors mansion in Tobolsk Siberia circa-1918

Tatiana’s letter from Tobolsk,May 1918, to Valentina Chebotarevna:

‘Dear Valentina Ivanovna,

It has been so long since we had any news from you. How are you? Have you received the parcel? How did you spend your holidays?

They went by peacefully for us, but it was sad as we were without Papa and Mama. You probably already heard that they were taken away from here. It was so hard to be separated from them. You are sure to understand us. Maria went with them and we stayed with our brother [Alexei] who is sick.

Of course, we were not told where or for what they were taken, nor did they know anything. Almost a week after their departure, we learned that they arrived in Ekaterinburg. We receive letters from them and it is such a joy for us. Mama’s heart is aching a lot from the awful road to Tyumen. They had to travel over 200 versts [over 210km] by horse along a horrible road. They spent nights in villages. Now they live in three rooms. In front of their windows is a huge fence, so one can only see the tops of Churches.

We are now expecting to leave shorty as soon as our brother fully recovers…

Well, goodbye, sweet Valentina Ivanovna. I often remember the infirmary and all of you. All the best may god keep you… Send regards to all who remember me.

Your Tatiana’

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Happy 122nd birthday to Grand duchess Maria Romanov pt.2

Photos from 1909-1917

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‘Maria was bold,unafraid of meeting new people and east to speak with. She would instinctively reach out and grab a baby out of a mother’s arms and smother the baby with kisses. As the third child she had a tough time as a toddler and ended up being the butt of her elder sisters jokes and abuse. After Anastasia arrived things became easier and her new sister became her best friend and confidant. Maria was left-handed when she painted and had a natural talent for the arts. A favourite pastime of Maria’s was imagining the day when she would be married and have her own family. She would have made an excellent mother and wife. She was affable of the girls and loved nothing better than talking to common people and handsome young officers.’

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‘In 1914, Maria faced a life-threatening ordeal. During an operation to remove her tonsils, she almost passed from blood loss. Allegedly, the doctor operating felt uneasy about the sheer amount of blood and stopped the operation partway through. Maria’s mother forced the doctor to continue on and finish the surgery. Unfortunately, this tragedy wasn’t an isolated incident.’

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‘Maria survived the first shooting but she was hit on the thigh. When the gunmen returned to the room, Anastasia ran to her, hugging each other. Maria witnessed the murders of her two elder sisters, Olga and Tatiana. Then the gunmen turned on her, stabbing and shooting at her, but nothing seemed to work. Maria was wearing a corset sewn with jewellery which acted like a bulletproof vest. Her killers though she was dead, so they carried her out to the truck, where she suddenly sat up, screaming and covering her face with her arms. The killers kept stabbing her until she was silenced. Maria was only 19 years old when she died.’

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Happy 122nd birthday Grand Duchess Maria Romanov pt.1

Photos from 1899-1908

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‘Born in 1899. Maria was the third child of Tsar Nicholas ii of Russia and his wife Tsarina Alexandra and thus apart of the Russian imperial family. After the Russian revolution, she was put under house arrest and later brutally murdered by the Bolsheviks. She was 19 years old when she died.’

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‘Maria had big blue eyes, light brown hair, rosy cheeks and a bright smile. When she was young she tended to be fat and somewhat stout in comparison to her older sisters. Ever thinking of her daughters future marriages, Alexandra despaired at Maria’s weight and watched her figure with with some concern. She shared her relief with her friends when it vanished at puberty. In her teens Maria became a great beauty, although she was not as elegant as her elder siblings.’

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‘Maria Romanov was a disappointment from the moment she was born. Her parents, Tsar Nicholas II and Tsarina Alexandra Feodorovna—not to mention all of Russia—had hoped for a male heir to the Russian throne. And they certainly weren’t thrilled with the announcement of another Grand Duchess. It wasn’t long, however, before her infectious personality won them over.’

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‘As she grew, Maria and her father Nicholas forged a very special bond with one another, with Maria often trying to visit her father and garner his attention. In lieu of his daughter’s sweetness and charm, Nicholas quickly changed his tune and even referred to her as a “treasure.” Regardless of the fact that Maria could never be heir, he was still happy she’d been born.’

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‘Maria’s sisters often used her to soften their mother up. Once, her sister Olga, convinced Maria to write a letter to their mother, asking her to allow Olga to move into her own room. But the requests didn’t stop there. Maria also asked if Olga’s skirts could be let down. Despite her willingness to help her siblings out, she never got a kind word in return. In fact, Olga nicknamed her “fat little bow-wow.”

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Olga Romanov in the mauve room at Alexander palace playing the piano circa-1915

‘As Olga entered what we would call her teenage years, Alexandra continued to write instructive notes. On the first day of 1909, Alix encouraged her thirteen-year-old daughter to "Try to be an example of what a good little obedient girlie ought to be. You are the eldest and must show the others how to behave. Learn to make others happy, think of yourself last of all. Be gentle and kind, never rough nor rude. In manners as well as in speech be a real lady. Be patient and polite, try to help sisters in every possible way. When you see somebody sad, try to cheer them up and show them a bright sunny smile. " Ten days later, Alexandra asked Olga not only to behave for her sake, but for the sake of a family counselor, Gregory Efimovich Rasputin: "Listen to those who are older than you. Remember above all to always be a good example to the little ones, only then our Friend will be contented with you." And still later that month, a reminder that "You are growing very big-don't be so wild and kick about and show your legs, it is not pretty. I never did so when your age or when I was smaller and younger even."

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Grand Duchess Tatiana with cornflowers in Ropsha circa-1908

Letter from Tatiana 1916:

"... Oh, how dull, empty and cold it is here. I'd like so much to go back to our warm and sunny Sevastopol. The sun is shining the whole day but it doesn't make us warm. We all went to the hospital church today for the liturgy. Then we spent some time with the wounded in the hospital. There were only two dressings, I even felt ashamed that there were so few of them. In the after noon Mother and all of us went to her Uhlan hospital where all the Regiment ladies were present. There was a church service, then we were treated to some tea and chocolates. It was very strange to see so many ladies when we had grown out of the habit of seeing them...! It's very strange to be upstairs without Aleksey."

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Grand duchess Maria Romanov in Crimea circa-1909

1917 letter extract from Maria:

"...Sisters are still kept in beds in a dark room but Aleksey got tired of it and was transferred to the playroom where he doesn't curtain all the windows. Today Zhilik, me and him cast bullets out of tin and he liked it very much. Mother is cheerful though her heart is not quite O.K. yet. I spend all my time with Mother now as I am the only one who is not sick and can walk. I also share the bed with her to be closer to her in case someone wants to see her or to tell her something. Lily sleeps in the Red Room near the dining-room on the sofa where Olga used to sleep. She is a dear and helps us a lot in everything. We can see our cossacks and soldiers out of the windows. Yesterday Mother and I went to the basement to see how they all had got settled there. There was complete darkness there as there is no electricity in the house in the day time. The soldiers were very nice; when we passed by they leaped up from their straw beds where they were lying to greet Mother. We were led by the porter who carried a candle and gave the soldiers the command "attention!" Yesterday we had a service here. The icon of the Virgin of the Sign was brought from the Church for the sisters. We felt better the whole day after that..."

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Happy birthday 120th Grand duchess Anastasia Romanov (1901-1918) pt 2

Photos from 1912-1918

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Anastasia was extremely intelligent, but prone to be lazy and inattentive. Her teacher found she learned faster than her siblings. On the other hand she was easily bored and had trouble focusing focusing on her lessons. She was a cut-up, freely dispensing her own kind of a dead-pan, sarcastic humour at the expense of others. The whole family would crack up at her jokes. Nobody was safe from her tongue and brutal observations of other foibles. She had a cutting wit and knew it, it was one of her chief ways of getting attention. Painting was one of her passions, dogs were another. She had one dog named Shibzig, who died of a brain disorder, which left Anastasia inconsolable. She and her canine companion had been inseparable and his death was a great shock to her.’

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‘One of Anastasia’s nicknames was “imp.” The nickname was reflective of her mischievous personality and her delight in making people laugh. Not a bad talent to have.’

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‘Schoolwork in general was not one of Anastasia’s favorite activities, and she especially hated being stuck in a classroom (who can blame her?). To get out of lessons, she would climb up a tree and refuse to come down. I wonder how well that worked.’

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‘Anastasia survived the first shooting on the night of the massacre. When the gunmen returned to the room, Anastasia fled to a wounded Maria, leaving the big pair to deal with the killers. Anastasia witnessed the murders of her two elder sisters, Olga and Tatiana. She fainted. When she woke up, all the killers turned on her, stabbing and shooting her but it didn’t work because she was wearing a corset sewn with jewellery which acted like a bullet proof vest. The killers thought she was dead, so they carried her out to the truck, when she suddenly was moaning and blood pouring out of her mouth. Her sister Maria sat up and screamed. The killers kept stabbing them until they were silenced. Anastasia was only 17 years old at the time of her death.’

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Happy 120th birthday to grand duchess Anastasia Romanov(1901-1918) pt1

Photos from 1901-1911

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‘Born in 1901. Anastasia was the fourth child and youngest daughter of Tsar Nicholas II of Russia and thus was apart of the imperial family. After the Russian revolution she was put under house arrest and later brutally murdered by the Bolsheviks. She was only 17 years old when she died. She was widely rumoured to having somehow survived the execution. This has however been proven false when her remains were found.’

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‘Anastasia had blue eyes, fine light brown hair and a thin, delicate nose like her mother’s. People close to the family thought she could have become a real beauty when she grew up. As a child she was small and impish. As she grew into her teens she put on weight and became rather round and pudgy in Siberia. Alexandra dispared of her weight and hoped it was baby fat to be naturally lost as she grew older. Her weight was a constant source of affectionate harassment in the family.’

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‘Tsar Nicholas loved all of his children, but since having a male heir was crucially important, he was just a tad bit upset to discover that his fourth child was also a girl. When he learned the news, he was rumored to have taken a walk to collect himself and get over his disappointment.’

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‘Anastasia was reportedly a naughty child, and often got into trouble for her conduct. She was known to kick and scratch her playmates, pull pranks on household staff, and even to climb trees. Definitely not the behavior of a Duchess.’

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‘The name “Anastasia” derives from the Greek word meaning resurrection (fitting considering all of the rumors about her survival), but she was actually named for the 4th century martyr St. Anastasia. St. Anastasia was known as “the breaker of chains,” and she was given the name because of her father’s release of imprisoned Russian students in honor of her birth.’

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‘Despite her being an energetic and vivacious child, Anastasia suffered from a few health problems. She had bunions on her feet, a weak back muscle, and was believed to have inherited the hemophilia gene from her mother.’

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The romanovs in Romania circa-1914

‘In the summer of 1914, just prior to the outbreak of the First World War, the Romanov family boarded their imperial yacht “The Standart” and sailed to Constantza, Romania. The idea was to continue to pursue the idea of a diplomatic marriage between the royal houses of Russia and Romania.

Grand Duchess Olga, Tsar Nicholas II’s eldest daughter, had reached marriageable age and would have made a good match for Carol, the eldest son of the Crown Prince and Princess of Romania. Earlier, the Romanian royal family visited the Romanovs at Tsarskoe Selo for several days, but no engagement between the couple was announced at the time. The of the 1914 state visit was to give it another try.

However, Grand Duchess Olga was not interested in the Romanian prince, she insisted that she did not wish to leave her beloved Russia or change her nationality, as she would be forced to do if she married Carol. The idea of the Romanian marriage was abandoned with Russia’s embarkation on World War I, and Grand Duchess Olga remained unmarried.’

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Grand duchess Olga at a beach in Livadia circa-1900

To: Aunt Olga Alexandrova, sister of Nicholas II

“21 June 1917

My darling, dear Godmother,

Am terribly touched by your sweet letter and heartfelt words. I wanted to have a heart to heart talk with you when you were with us in Kiev, but there wasn’t the opportunity.

Poor Mama is terribly bored; can’t at all get used to the new life and the circumstances here, although on the whole we can all be grateful that we will be together and in the Crimea. So horribly sad to think about our dear nieces and their parents and about our homeland. Little Dolls!! Now it’s doubly hard for you, my darling Aunt Olga. May God preserve you.

A kiss to you and Mitia. Love you sincerely and with all my heart.

Your loving Goddaughter,

Olga”

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Happy 124rd birthday to Tatiana Romanov (1897-1918)pt.2

Photos from 1908-1918

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Tatiana was graceful and charming. She sensed people’s initial unease being around a Tsar’s daughter and make a point of putting people at ease in her presence. Tatiana had a lovely voice that was elegant and aristocratic, and more formal than her sisters. She loved to write letters, her artistic penmanship was very angular and virtually indecipherable. Having friends was very important and ,like her sister Olga, she eagerly sought them out. Although she was a charming person and eager to meet new people, she found it difficult to build satisfying friendships. During the war she became a nurse like her mother and sister. Her uncomplaining, cheerful discharge of duties and stunning beauty made Tatiana exceedingly popular among staff and patients alike.’

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Tatiana was particularly close with her sister Olga. The rest of the family called them “The Big Pair”. In their diaries they called themselves “we 2.” Conversely, their younger sisters Maria and Anastasia were “The Little Pair.” The four sisters called themselves “OTMA”.

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‘When Tatiana was just 13, she became an honorary colonel in the Russian army. This was largely a symbolic post, but as was characteristic of Tatiana, she took the job very seriously. Her regiment was the 8th Voznesensky Uhlans, so she changed her signature to “ Uhlan”. The new role exited her.”

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‘You would think a young princess who has spent her whole life sheltered from the real world would not necessarily make the greatest nurse. However, Tatiana excelled at her work. Seeing blood made her sister Olga queasy, but Tatiana complained that she was not allowed to work on more serious cases. She wanted to do everything that could help.’

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‘Tatiana survived the first shooting. When the gunmen returned to the room, Tatiana hugging Olga and calling o for their dead mother. As the killers approached to them, Tatiana tried to stand up and she struggled with her killer. Her killer finally shot her on her head. Tatiana lay dead on the floor. Her sister, Olga would join her a few minutes later. Tatiana was only 21 years old when she died with her family.’

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Happy 124rd birthday Tatiana Romanov!(1897-1918) pt.1

Pictures of Tatiana from 1897-1917

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‘Born in 1897. Tatiana was the second child of Tsar Nicholas ii of Russia and thus a part of the imperial family. Many eyes were on her and her older sister Olga as society speculated whom they would marry. After the Russian revolution she was put under house arrest and later brutally murdered by the Bolsheviks. She was 21 years old when she died’

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‘Tatiana had exotic, dark features with widely spaced grey eyes and dark brunette hair. Old black and white photographs do not do justice to her extraordinary beauty. She had a special quality which one had to see her in her walk and regal, feminine bearing. People said she was most like her mother and,like her, no one never mistook her for for anything other than royal. She was reserved, was excessively thin, and had the posture and attitude of a princess.’

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‘Princesses usually carry an elegant aura, but Tatiana Romanov was super glamorous,even compared to her sisters. She was the most stylish and fashionable of the Romanov children. People said that any dress Tatiana wore would instantly look amazing. In addition to her excellent taste in clothes, she was also a skilled hairdresser. She would style her mothers hair when there was no professional hairdresser available. However in spite of her dazzling aesthetic sensibilities, the princess led a surprising life style.’

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‘Tatiana was serious about her faith. She studied theology intently, and would frequently read the bible. Her faith inspired much of the humanitarian work that she would do later on, and the egalitarian way that she treated non-royalty. She insisted that people call her “Sister Romanova the Second”. But while behind closed doors, Tatiana was the image of an ideal princess,sadly there were cracks in her perfection.’

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‘Nicholas and Alexandra named her after a character in Eugene Onegin, a verse novel by famous Russian author Alexander Pushkin. Like the girl in the novel, Tatiana had an older sister named Olga. Her fictitious namesake was a naive character, but intelligent and compassionate in a way that made her a heroine in Russia.’

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Happy birthday to tsarina Alexandra feodorovna. She turns 149 today!

Letter from Alexandra to Nicholas

Tsarskoe Selo, June 14-th 1915:

My own beloved One, I congratulate you with all my loving heart for our big Marie's 16-th birthday. What a cold, rainy summer it was when she was borne - 3 weeks I had daily pains until she turned up. Pitty you are not here. She enjoyed all her presents, I gave her her first ring from us made out of one of my Buchara diamonds.She is so cheery & gay to-day.I am writing on the balkony, we have just finished luncheon after we had been to Church. Baby is going to Peterhof for the afternoon & later to Ania.

Such lovely weather & the wind keeps it from being too hot - but the evenings are fresh. Marie Bariatinsky dined with us & remained till 10 l/2 & then I went to bed as had a headache.The girls had a repetition in the "little house".Beloved one, all my thoughts & prayers are with you the whole time & so much sorrow and anxiety fills the heart. - I hope you will say about the church processions. Old Fred. of course made a confusion & gived 0. Ebr. on her money she got as my lady, not her Father's pension (wh. was much less) & she asked for. She feels quite confused at. yr. great kindness.Yesterday I looked at the 10 English motors - quite splendid, much better than ours, for four lying & a sister or sanitary can sit inside with them & always hot water to be had for them - they hope to get yet 20 more for us, yr. Mama & me together. As soon as she has seen these, they ought to be sent off I find at once where the cavalry is most in need of them now, I don't know where, perhaps you could ask, & then I can hint it to Motherdear. She is now at Elagin.Paul comes to tea & then the children go to Ania, perhaps I too for a bit if not too tired. I see our Friend this evening or to-morrow morning.We are going out driving this afternoon, A. & I; the girls will follow in two small carriages.Now I must end dear Love. How I long to know how the news really are, such anxiety fills the soul.

Goodbye Nicky mine, my very, very own. God bless & protect you. I cover your precious face with kisses.

Ever yr. very own Sunny.

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Grand duchesses Olga and Anastasia on the standart circa-1910

Extracts from a series of diary entries written by Olga in 1913:

“In the afternoon Nastaska , Papa and I went for a walk, slid down the hill and skated at the rink.” “We walked around the park and then in Bablovo . After that we walked around the big pond. [I] constantly fought with Anastasia.. ” “Nastasia, Papa and I went for a walk. ” “Anastasia’s leg hurts and she was lying down.” “In the afternoon rode with Anastasia…” “In the afternoon Nastasia, Papa and I skied down the hill.” “Skied down the hill with Nastaska.” “Anastasia has a sore throat, temperature 37.1, and stayed home.” “Nastaska’s temperature [was] 38.2 in the evening, her tonsils are swollen.” “Nastasia is still in bed, but her temperature is normal.” “Waited for Nastasia for a long time.” “In the afternoon Nastasia, Papa and I went to the consecration of Russia’s Warriors. After that [we] rode our bicycles and then double boats…” “Nastasia and I sailed in a double boat…

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Grand duchess Maria with a bouquet of flowers for her name day circa-22nd July 1912

Extract of a letter from Maria

April 18th 1915:

‘...We have just finished dinner. Alexei had come to mothers to pray. Sisters are sorting out the flowers sent from Livadia by the Yanovs. Mother is trying to send Anastasia to bed but she is desperately trying to find Shvybzik which is missing. Everybody is calling him but he would not come, merzavets. He was found at last, 10 minutes later. We all thought that he was under the sofa. Mother started to bark and Shvybzik answered. He appeared to be sitting under mother’s couch and we all put great effort in pulling him out of there. I continue writing next morning at 8am. I’ve just drawn back the curtain and was delighted to see that it was 19 degrees above zero in the sun. Alexei has come into our bedroom and is now lying in my bed and is playing with Anastasia and Shvybzik. Sisters are still sleeping. Shvybzik is squeaking. I think he wants to see the “governor”. He had done it already and Anastasia has run in with a small shovel and took it away...’