ROMANOV FAMILY: BATTLE OF BORODINO ANNIVERSARY

The Romanov family at Battle of Borodino anniversary celebrations
Click on photo to enlarge. The Romanov family and the imperial suite arriving in Moscow for the anniversary celebrations of 1912. Tsar Nicholas II and Tsarina Alexandra Feodorovna followed by their daughters Grand Duchesses Olga, Tatiana, Maria and Anastasia, and other members of the suite. All are walking down the train platform after arriving at Borodino station. On the right is Count Vladimir Borisovich Fredericks, Minister of the imperial court, who was very close to Nicholas II.

 

The Battle of Borodino occurred on 7 September, 1812 just outside of Moscow city gates. It is considered to be the bloodiest of all Napoleonic war battles. The French won it technically, but were not able to enter the ancient Russian capital city nor to destroy General Kutuzov’s army.

As part of 100th anniversary celebrations in 1912, the Romanov family arrived in Moscow. Emperor Nicholas II and his daughters visited the exhibition at the Museum of the Year 1812, in the halls of the Imperial History Museum. In late afternoon they headed to the Chistoprudny Boulevard to see the panorama of the Borodino battle. After a detailed review of the panorama, Nicholas II and the imperial party visited the Kremlin. Read more ROMANOV FAMILY: BATTLE OF BORODINO ANNIVERSARY

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ALEXEI ROMANOV: HIS FRIEND KOLYA DEREVENKO

ALEXEI ROMANOV: HIS FRIEND KOLYA DEREVENKO
Tsarevich Alexei with his friend Kolya Derevenko and his brother
Tsarevich Alexei with his friend Kolya Derevenko and Kolya’s brother

Kolya Derevenko was the son of Romanov family physician, Dr Derevenko. Because the boy was close in age to Tsarevich Alexei, the two were introduced as potential playmates and hit it off immediately.

Alexei often mentioned his friend Kolya in his diaries and letters, Kolya even accompanied the heir to Stavka to keep him company. Kolya and his family also followed Alexei and his family to Tobolsk, and after they were no longer allowed to see each other, Alexei always remembered his friend and regularly wrote letters and notes to him. Read more ALEXEI ROMANOV: HIS FRIEND KOLYA DEREVENKO

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ALEXEI ROMANOV: LAST LETTER

ALEXEI ROMANOV: LAST LETTER

Tsarevich Alexei with his friend Kolya Derevenko
Tsarevich Alexei with his friend Kolya Derevenko

 

Dear Kolya,  all the sisters send greetings to you, your Mama and
Grandma. I feel well myself. My head was aching
all day, but now the pain is gone completely. I
embrace you warmly. Greetings to the Botkins from all of
us.   Always yours,  Alexei    

Konetz [“The END” in Russian] Read more ALEXEI ROMANOV: LAST LETTER

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OLGA AND ANASTASIA ROMANOV: ELDEST AND YOUNGEST GRAND DUCHESSES

Grand Duchess Olga and Grand Duchess Anastasia Romanov
Grand Duchess Olga and Grand Duchess Anastasia Romanov on the imperial yacht.

 

Grand Duchess Olga and Grand Duchess Anastasia: the eldest and youngest imperial sisters. At first glance it may seem that the two did not have much in common and did not interact that much, at least not as much as “The Big Pair” did with each other. But that’s not really the case. The two sisters were actually pretty close to each other, and mention each other in their diaries and letters quite often and independently of the other sisters. There are also plenty of photos of just the two sisters together, from which we can see that they were close and spent a lot of time together. They also seemed to do a lot of things with their beloved “Papa”, Nicholas II, without the other sisters – just the two of them, especially they seemed to share the love of skiing and boating, and other physical things. Read more OLGA AND ANASTASIA ROMANOV: ELDEST AND YOUNGEST GRAND DUCHESSES

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ROMANOV FAMILY: ON THIS DATE IN THEIR OWN WORDS. ANASTASIA ROMANOV, 30 JANUARY, 1915.

ROMANOV FAMILY: ON THIS DATE IN THEIR OWN WORDS. ANASTASIA ROMANOV, 30 JANUARY, 1915. 

Tsar Nicholas II with his daughter Grand Duchess Anastasia. The Tsar is giving his daughter a drag of his cigarette.
Tsar Nicholas II with his youngest daughter Grand Duchess Anastasia Romanov.

Read more ROMANOV FAMILY: ON THIS DATE IN THEIR OWN WORDS. ANASTASIA ROMANOV, 30 JANUARY, 1915.

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