Alexandra's letter to her sister Victoria, dated December 23, 1905

Source:

The Life and Tragedy of Alexandra Feodorovna by Baroness Sophie Buxhoeveden, 1928

The letter:

Twice a week the regiments from town come out here. The officers dine with us (en famille, quite simply), spend the night in the Big Palace, and the next morning is a review out of doors or in the riding school. …

Don't expect a long letter, one is not in the letter-writing mood. Nicky slaves like a ------, many a day passes without his getting out, or if so, only in the dark. His poor head gets so tired, but he is brave and full of trust and hope in God's mercy.

Above: Alexandra.

Note: In this letter Alexandra uses the n word. Although it is true that she was obviously a product of her time and society, there is no excuse. I have censored out the word, but I felt it should still be addressed, because not addressing the problem is the same as denying its existence; and although I am half black and the word is only seen as acceptable when black people themselves use it, I would rather not.