Sources:
Alexandra Feodorovna: Diaries and Correspondence, volume 3: The Young Empress, 1895-1905, pages 177 to 178, by George Hawkins, 2024
Letters and writings of Nicholas II and his family on Facebook
The letter:
Monday Aug 4th 1903
Near Pskov
Darling little Olga,
Papa and Auntie Olga have gone for a walk in the lovely woods, my old legs hurt too much to walk so I remained at home. Now the rain has at last stopped, we got quite soaked this morning, my new waterproof cape was wet through. We saw lots of soldiers, cavalry, infantry and artillery. The country is very pretty. Whilst we were standing about in a village, the peasants came round us and began talking. One woman asked me how you four were and where I had left you, was it not kind of her? Others gave us bread and salt and picked the nicest flowers they could find in their gardens. I am sowing [sic] away hard for the bazaar. Lots of trains pass us all day long. An old lady of 88 came to see us this morning and brought bread and salt, she lives close by and we want to pay her a visit if we have time. A. Olga has painted a very pretty postcard of Sarov and is going to have it printed. I wonder how you all are, I feel so sad without my sweet little girlies. Be sure to be very good and remember, elbows off of the table, sit straight and cut your meat nicely. I kiss you all very tenderly and Sonia too. Goodbye, darling Child. God bless you. Ever yr. loving old
Mama
You can put this letter into yr. new red case. Try to read it quite alone. Sonia can help you a little. Love to Trina. Be obedient and learn nicely.
Above: Alexandra and Olga. Photo courtesy of Ilya Grigoryev at lastromanovs on VK.
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