Mikhail Romanov 1917. Mikhail Alexandrovich Romanov. Grand Duke Mikhail Alexandrovich
Hello dears!
I think today it’s time for you and me to finish our work on the characters in Boris Akunin’s book, which we started here: and continued here: _
The time has come to talk about the grand ducal family, or the “green house” based on the color of the livery, which Afanasy Zyukin serves.
The head of this branch and the character of the book is Romanov Georgy Alexandrovich Grand Duke, uncle of Nicholas II. Admiral General of the Russian Fleet, but at the same time he was at sea only once. " He is known as a liberal in the imperial family." - as Akunin said. A great sybarite and lover of male pleasures - like cognac and women. His wife is Ekaterina Ioanovna, with whom he has 7 children - the eldest Pavel (also the hero of the book), the middle ones Alexey, Sergey, Dmitry and Konstantin, who fell ill with measles and remained in Moscow, the youngest - Mikhail, and the only daughter Ksenia.
There seems to be enough material for analysis, but it turns out that this whole family is a kind of composite material from all the Romanovs. 
Aleksey Aleksandrovich
But judge for yourself - Georgy Alexandrovich himself seems to be quite easy to read - the last Admiral General in Russia, and since 1888 just an admiral - this is the 4th son of Emperor Alexander II Alexey, but not everything is clear :-) He did not look like an admiral , but he went to sea more than once - he rounded the Cape of Good Hope, visited China and Japan. Commanded the Guards crew. During the period described by the book, he was the Chief of the Fleet and the Maritime Department. But competence was lacking.
This is what his cousin writes about him: Grand Duke Alexander Mikhailovich:
"A socialite from head to toe, “le Beau Brummell”, who was pampered by women, Alexey Alexandrovich traveled a lot. The mere thought of spending a year away from Paris would have made him resign. But he was on public service and held the position of no more no less than an admiral of the Russian Imperial Fleet. It was difficult to imagine the more modest knowledge that this admiral of a powerful power had in naval affairs. The mere mention of modern changes in the navy brought a painful grimace to his handsome face.<…>This carefree existence was, however, overshadowed by tragedy: despite all the signs of the approaching war with Japan, the Admiral General continued his festivities and, waking up one fine morning, learned that our fleet had suffered a shameful defeat in a battle with the modern dreadnoughts Mikado. After this, the Grand Duke resigned and soon died."
This happened in November 1908 in Paris. 
A.V. Zhukovskaya
He was married to maid of honor Alexandra Vasilievna Zhukovskaya, daughter of the poet V.A. Zhukovsky, and this marriage was not officially recognized. He had only one son - Count Alexei Alekseevich Zhukovsky-Belevsky (he was shot in 1932 in Tbilisi). 
Konstantin Nikolaevich
Most likely, in his work the author developed Georgy Alexandrovich as a symbiosis of not only Alexei Alexandrovich, but also another famous admiral general, Grand Duke Konstantin Nikolaevich - the second son of Emperor Nicholas I. He was married to Alexandra Iosifovna, née Alexandra of Saxe-Altenburg, and there were 6 children.
In 1896, Konstantin Nikolaevich was no longer alive, which is why it was necessary to make such a mixture.
The mistress and wise woman in the book of Georgy Alexandrovich is Isabella Felitsianovna Snezhnevskaya, in whom one can easily read Matilda Feliksovna Kshesinskaya (more about her later) who had 2 sons from the Grand Duke.. However, the official mistress of the real Alexei Alekseevich was not Kseshinskaya at all, but another famous lady - Zinaida Dmitrievna Skobeleva, Countess of Beauharnais, Duchess of Leuchtenberg. This is the sister of the “White General” Mikhail Skobelev, and Erast Petrovich Fandorin, and together with him we could get to know this extraordinary woman better in another book by Akunin - “The Death of Achilles”. Interesting intersection, isn't it? :-) 
Their relationship lasted just under 20 years, until her death in 1899 from throat cancer. The Grand Duke named his yacht “Zina” in her honor. The legal husband, Duke Eugene of Leuchtenberg, knew everything, but could not do anything. In society, this trio was called “ménage royal à trois” (royal love triangle).
Our other prototype, Konstantin Nikolaevich, had many children from his mistress. From the ballerina (!) of the Mariinsky Theater Anna Vasilyevna Kuznetsova he had as many as 5 children. This is for 6 legal spouses :-) Such a prolific person. 
Vyacheslav Konstantinovich
I never found the prototype of the unfortunate Mika (Mikhail Georgievich). None of the great princes died at such a tender age during these years. Although questions about his death are open - and I would not be surprised if he appears in one of the next books. Of the boys in this century, only 16-year-old Vyacheslav Konstantinovich, the son of Konstantin Nikolaevich, died early. But he died of meningitis.
Pavel Georgievich. The character is also composite and not fully understandable. Emperor Alexander II had a son, Pavel, who was thus also the uncle of Nicholas II, but he had nothing to do with the fleet, and was already an adult at the time of the events - 36 years old. 
Kirill Vladimirovich
Therefore, most likely, the figure of Grand Duke Kirill Vladimirovich, the future self-proclaimed Emperor Kirill I, whose descendants now frequent Russia, is taken as a basis. He was a sailor, a cousin of Nicholas II, the age is suitable, and besides, he had a similar character. So, most likely, he was bred under the name of Pavel Georgievich.
It’s even more difficult with the figure of Ksenia Georgievna. Grand Duchess with that name. BUT...she was born only 6 years after the events described. Therefore, most likely this means Ksenia Alexandrovna, the sister of Emperor Nicholas II. Approximately suitable for age. Although she was not married to any Prince Olaf - from childhood she was in love with Grand Duke Alexander Mikhailovich (whom the family called Sandro) and married him.
She was able to survive the Revolution and emigrate. 
Ksenia Alexandrovna
And finally, a couple of lines should be said about Isabella Felitsianovna Snezhnevskaya, that is, Matilda Feliksovna Kshesinskaya. Although a book could be written about this woman. She lived to be almost 100 years old and it was an interesting time for her. This fragile pole became a real diamond in the Romanov family. With the Emperor's blessing Alexandra III Matechka became an intimate friend of the heir to the throne Nicholas (the future Emperor Nicholas II) and was able to dispel his hypochondriacal view of the female sex. Afterwards, she became the unmarried wife of the artillery inspector general of Grand Duke Sergei Mikhailovich and even gave birth to his son Vladimir, and after the revolution she married another Grand Duke Andrei Vladimirovich. This is what fate is like. 
Matilda Ksishinska
That's probably all. I hope I'm not tired.
Have a nice day!
Mikhail Alexandrovich Romanov (November 22, 1878 – July 13, 1918) – son of Emperor Alexander III, brother of Nicholas II, Grand Duke, member of the State Council.
early years
As a child, the young prince was raised by an English nanny. The emperor's children usually spent time in Gatchina. Alexander III especially loved to spend time with youngest son: together they walked around the outskirts of the royal palace, the father taught Mikhail to light a fire and calculate the location of the animal from its tracks. Most of all, Michael loved to visit his grandfather, King Christian IX of Denmark. Every trip to Copenhagen was a holiday for the young prince.
Military career
In 1898, Mikhail Alexandrovich began his service in the guard. The Grand Duke managed to take part in the First World War. Then he held the position of commander of the Caucasian native division. As a military man, Mikhail became famous as a brave warrior who carried out surprise attacks on the enemy. Suddenly jumping out of the ambush, Mikhail rushed with a saber in his hand towards the enemy, not giving him a chance to evade. Michael's brother, Emperor Nicholas II, more than once tried to reason with the violent prince, but he only continued to treacherously destroy the enemy troops. Soon Nicholas removed him from the command of the division, appointing Mikhail head of the cavalry corps. In 1917, Mikhail, who received the rank of inspector general of cavalry, was recalled from the front.
Personal life
IN different time Mikhail Alexandrovich was in love with the English princess, daughter of the Duke of Edinburgh, Beatrice and maid of honor Alexandra Kossikovskaya. In the first case, Mikhail could not marry the princess because of his close relationship (Beatrice was his cousin). The prince could not be with Kossikovskaya because of her low social status. The Grand Duke's new chosen one was Natalia Wulfert, who at that time was divorced from an officer of the Cuirassier Regiment. In 1912, Wulfert and Mikhail secretly got married in Vienna. The news of such a marriage plunged the emperor into shock, and soon Mikhail Alexandrovich was deprived of his rights to the throne. However, later Nicholas II granted his brother’s wife the title of count, obviously wanting to smooth out sharp corners and reduce the conflict to nothing. Natalia Wulfert became Countess Brasova - from then on her son and Mikhail bore the same surname.
Last years
On March 2, 1917, according to the old style, Nicholas II, at the insistence of State Duma Chairman Mikhail Rodzianko, abdicated the throne for himself and his son Alexei in favor of his brother Mikhail. However, Mikhail, in the Manifesto of March 16, also abdicated the throne, giving the right to decide the fate of Russia to the Constituent Assembly. Michael was ready to accept the title of emperor only if the Assembly decided to leave the monarchical form of government. In October 1917, a revolutionary whirlwind swept across the country, destroying thousands of destinies. Mikhail Alexandrovich was no exception. The former Grand Duke, at that time deprived of all military ranks and privileges, the Bolshevik government arrested him and then sent him to Perm, where he was soon shot.
Mikhail Alexandrovich, who received a huge inheritance after the death of his brother George, was considered the richest prince.
The younger brother of Nicholas II, the son of Alexander III, Grand Duke Mikhail Alexandrovich was the last Russian emperor - however, only for one night, March 3, 1917, when Nicholas abdicated the throne in his favor. He had every chance of occupying the Russian throne for a longer period, but he deliberately refused this opportunity back in 1912, when he secretly married the twice-divorced Natalya Wulfert.
By entering into this morganatic marriage, Mikhail Alexandrovich actually abandoned the throne.
Mikhail Alexandrovich was proclaimed heir to the throne in 1899, when the second son of Alexander III, Grand Duke George, died, and bore this title until 1904, when Nicholas II's son Alexei was born. According to contemporaries, Mikhail Alexandrovich was a well-mannered, modest and gentle man; he was burdened by his high position and never laid claim to the throne.
Grand Duke Mikhail Alexandrovich, 1896
Mikhail Romanov met the wife of Lieutenant Wulfert Natalya Sergeevna in 1908 at a regimental holiday in Gatchina near St. Petersburg. That evening, Mikhail Alexandrovich invited her to dance several times, to the displeasure of his family - it was indecent for a representative of the royal family to dance with a married lady.
Grand Duke Mikhail Alexandrovich at a costume ball in the Winter Palace, 1903
Countess Natalya Brasova, 1918
Natalya Wulfert (née Sheremetyevskaya) was the daughter of a Moscow lawyer. Her first husband was the conductor of the Bolshoi Theater S. Mamontov, but the marriage soon broke up. For the second time she married officer A. Wulfert. She was called attractive, smart, educated and sharp-tongued. However, these qualities were not enough to become a suitable match for Grand Duke Romanov after two divorces.
Grand Duke Mikhail Alexandrovich and Natalya Sergeevna Brasova
When Nicholas II learned of his brother’s intention to marry this “cunning, evil beast,” he sent him to Oryol. The Emperor wrote to his mother: “Poor Misha has obviously become temporarily insane. He thinks and thinks as she orders. It’s disgusting to talk about her.” But Natalya Wulfert divorced her husband and followed her beloved.
Prince Mikhail (center) hunting on the Brasov estate, 1910
Prince Mikhail Alexandrovich (left) and Natalya Sergeevna Brasova (center). Gatchina, 1916
In 1910, the couple had a son, George, to whom the emperor granted the title of nobility and the surname Brasov. But Mikhail Alexandrovich, despite his gentle character, remained adamant in his desire to be legally married to Natalya. A wedding was impossible in Russia, and the couple secretly went abroad. The emperor knew about his brother's intentions, so he placed him under surveillance.
Mikhail Alexandrovich managed to direct his pursuers along the wrong path. In Vienna, he found an Orthodox priest in a Serbian church, and in October 1912 the lovers got married. The next day, the Grand Duke wrote to his mother: “All the last time I was terribly tormented that I could not, due to circumstances, talk to you about what has been the main meaning of my life all these years, but you yourself, apparently, never did this.” wanted. It’s been five years since I met Natalia Sergeevna, and I love and respect her more and more every year, but my moral state has always been very difficult, and Last year in St. Petersburg in particular led me to the realization that only marriage would help me get out of this difficult and false situation. But, not wanting to upset you, I might never have decided to do this if it weren’t for little Alexei’s illness and the thought that I could be separated from Natalia Sergeevna as heir, which can no longer happen.”
Countess Natalya Brasova with her daughter
Having learned about this morganatic marriage, the emperor furiously dismissed his brother from all positions and positions and forbade him to return to Russia. As a private person, Mikhail Alexandrovich settled with his family in the English castle of Knebworth near London. Two years later, under the influence of his mother, Nikolai changed his anger to mercy, allowed his brother to return, returned all his titles, and granted his wife the title of Countess Brasova.
Grand Duke Mikhail Alexandrovich and Natalya Sergeevna Brasova with their son George
On March 2, 1917, the emperor abdicated the throne in favor of his brother. Members of the Provisional Government immediately summoned the Grand Duke to the capital, and on the morning of March 3, the heir to the throne renounced the throne. In fact, he turned out to be the last Russian emperor, although his reign lasted only one night.
In 1918, Mikhail Romanov was exiled to Perm, where he was soon shot by the Bolsheviks. After nine months in prison, Natalya Brasova managed to travel abroad. She learned about her husband's fate only in 1934. In France, among the emigrants, she did not enjoy respect; she was called a smart but evil lady. Romanov's son Georgiy died in a car accident, children from previous marriages they lived separately, and soon Natalya Brasova was left completely alone. Last days she spent in poverty and illness. In 1952, she died of cancer in a hospital for the poor and homeless.
"Angel Alexander"
The second child of Grand Duke Alexander Alexandrovich and Maria Feodorovna was Alexander. He, alas, died in infancy from meningitis. The death of “angel Alexander” after a fleeting illness was deeply experienced by his parents, judging by their diaries. For Maria Fedorovna, the death of her son was the first loss of relatives in her life. Meanwhile, fate had prepared for her to outlive all her sons.
Alexander Alexandrovich. The only (post-mortem) photograph
Handsome Georgy
For some time, the heir of Nicholas II was his younger brother George
As a child, Georgiy was healthier and stronger than his older brother Nikolai. He grew up to be a tall, handsome, cheerful child. Despite the fact that George was his mother's favorite, he, like the other brothers, was brought up in Spartan conditions. The children slept on army beds, got up at 6 o'clock and took a cold bath. For breakfast, they were usually served porridge and black bread; for lunch, lamb cutlets and roast beef with peas and baked potatoes. The children had at their disposal a living room, a dining room, a playroom and a bedroom, furnished with the simplest furniture. Only the icon, decorated with precious stones and pearls, was rich. The family lived mainly in the Gatchina Palace.
Family of Emperor Alexander III (1892). From right to left: Georgy, Ksenia, Olga, Alexander III, Nikolai, Maria Fedorovna, Mikhail
George was destined for a career in the navy, but then the Grand Duke fell ill with tuberculosis. Since the 1890s, George, who became crown prince in 1894 (Nicholas did not yet have an heir), lives in the Caucasus, in Georgia. Doctors even forbade him to go to St. Petersburg for his father’s funeral (although he was present at his father’s death in Livadia). George's only joy was visits from his mother. In 1895, they traveled together to visit relatives in Denmark. There he had another attack. Georgiy was bedridden for a long time until he finally felt better and returned to Abastumani.
Grand Duke Georgy Alexandrovich at his desk. Abastumani. 1890s
In the summer of 1899, Georgy was traveling from the Zekar Pass to Abastumani on a motorcycle. Suddenly his throat started bleeding, he stopped and fell to the ground. On June 28, 1899, Georgy Alexandrovich died. The section revealed: extreme degree of exhaustion, chronic tuberculous process in the period of cavernous decay, cor pulmonale (right ventricular hypertrophy), interstitial nephritis. The news of George's death was a heavy blow for the entire imperial family and especially for Maria Feodorovna.
Ksenia Alexandrovna
Ksenia was her mother’s favorite, and even looked like her. Her first and only love was Grand Duke Alexander Mikhailovich (Sandro), who was friends with her brothers and often visited Gatchina. Ksenia Alexandrovna was “crazy” about the tall, slender brunette, believing that he was the best in the world. She kept her love a secret, telling about it only to her older brother, the future Emperor Nicholas II, Sandro’s friend. Ksenia was Alexander Mikhailovich’s cousin. They married on July 25, 1894, and she bore him a daughter and six sons during the first 13 years of their marriage.
Alexander Mikhailovich and Ksenia Alexandrovna, 1894
When traveling abroad with her husband, Ksenia visited with him all those places that could be considered “not quite decent” for the Tsar’s daughter, and even tried her luck at the gaming table in Monte Carlo. However, the married life of the Grand Duchess did not work out. My husband has new hobbies. Despite seven children, the marriage actually broke up. But Ksenia Alexandrovna did not agree to a divorce from the Grand Duke. Despite everything, she managed to preserve her love for the father of her children until the end of her days and sincerely experienced his death in 1933.
It is curious that after the revolution in Russia, George V allowed a relative to live in a cottage not far from Windsor Castle, while Ksenia Alexandrovna’s husband was forbidden to appear there due to infidelity. From others interesting facts- her daughter, Irina, married Felix Yusupov, Rasputin’s killer, a scandalous and shocking personality.
Possible Michael II
Grand Duke Mikhail Alexandrovich was, perhaps, the most significant for all of Russia, with the exception of Nicholas II, the son of Alexander III. Before the First World War, after his marriage to Natalya Sergeevna Brasova, Mikhail Alexandrovich lived in Europe. The marriage was unequal; moreover, at the time of its conclusion, Natalya Sergeevna was married. The lovers had to get married in Serbskaya Orthodox Church in Vienna. Because of this, all the estates of Mikhail Alexandrovich were taken under the control of the emperor.
Mikhail Alexandrovich
Some monarchists called Mikhail Alexandrovich Mikhail II
With the beginning of the First World War, Nikolai’s brother asked to go to Russia to fight. As a result, he headed the Native Division in the Caucasus. War time marked by many plots being prepared against Nicholas II, but Mikhail did not participate in any of them, being loyal to his brother. However, it was the name of Mikhail Alexandrovich that was increasingly mentioned in various political combinations drawn up in the court and political circles of Petrograd, and Mikhail Alexandrovich himself did not take part in drawing up these plans. A number of contemporaries pointed to the role of the wife of the Grand Duke, who became the center of the “Brasova salon,” which preached liberalism and promoted Mikhail Alexandrovich to the role of head of the reigning house.
Alexander Alexandrovich with his wife (1867)
The February Revolution found Mikhail Alexandrovich in Gatchina. Documents show that in the days February Revolution he tried to save the monarchy, but not out of a desire to take the throne himself. On the morning of February 27 (March 12), 1917, he was called by telephone to Petrograd by the Chairman of the State Duma M.V. Rodzianko. Arriving in the capital, Mikhail Alexandrovich met with the Provisional Committee of the Duma. They convinced him to essentially legitimize the coup d'etat: to become a dictator, dismiss the government and ask his brother to create a responsible ministry. By the end of the day, Mikhail Alexandrovich was convinced to take power as a last resort. Subsequent events would reveal the indecisiveness and inability of brother Nicholas II to engage in serious politics in an emergency situation.
Grand Duke Mikhail Alexandrovich with his morganatic wife N.M. Brasova. Paris. 1913
It is appropriate to recall the description given to Mikhail Alexandrovich by General Mosolov: “He was distinguished by exceptional kindness and gullibility.” According to the memoirs of Colonel Mordvinov, Mikhail Alexandrovich was “of a gentle character, although quick-tempered. He is inclined to succumb to the influence of others... But in actions that touch upon issues of moral duty, he always shows persistence!”
The Last Grand Duchess
Olga Alexandrovna lived to be 78 years old and died on November 24, 1960. She outlived her older sister Ksenia by seven months.
In 1901 she married the Duke of Oldenburg. The marriage was unsuccessful and ended in divorce. Subsequently, Olga Alexandrovna married Nikolai Kulikovsky. After the fall of the Romanov dynasty, she left for Crimea with her mother, husband and children, where they lived in conditions close to house arrest.
Olga Alexandrovna as honorary commander of the 12th Akhtyrsky Hussar Regiment
She is one of the few Romanovs who survived after October revolution. She lived in Denmark, then in Canada, and outlived all the other grandchildren (granddaughters) of Emperor Alexander II. Like her father, Olga Alexandrovna preferred simple life. During her life, she painted more than 2,000 paintings, the proceeds from the sale of which allowed her to support her family and engage in charity work.
Protopresbyter Georgy Shavelsky recalled her this way:
“Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna, among all the persons of the imperial family, was distinguished by her extraordinary simplicity, accessibility, and democracy. On his estate in Voronezh province. she completely grew up: she walked around the village huts, nursed peasant children, etc. In St. Petersburg, she often walked on foot, rode in simple cabs, and really loved to talk with the latter.”
The imperial couple among their circle of associates (summer 1889)
General Alexey Nikolaevich Kuropatkin:
“My next date is with my boyfriend. Princess Olga Alexandrovna was born on November 12, 1918 in Crimea, where she lived with her second husband, captain of the hussar regiment Kulikovsky. Here she became even more at ease. It would be difficult for someone who didn’t know her to believe that this was the Grand Duchess. They occupied a small, very poorly furnished house. The Grand Duchess herself nursed her baby, cooked and even washed the clothes. I found her in the garden, where she was pushing her child in a stroller. She immediately invited me into the house and there treated me to tea and her own products: jam and cookies. The simplicity of the situation, bordering on squalor, made it even more sweet and attractive.”