Sources:
Letters of the Tsaritsa to the Tsar, 1914-1916, published by Duckworth & Co., 1923
The letter:
No. 75.
Tsarskoje Selo, May 6-th 1915
My very own precious One,
Many happy returns of this dear day. God grant you may spend it next year in peace and joy, and the nightmare of this war be over. I cover you with tender kisses — alas, only in thoughts — & pray God to protect and quite particularly bless you for all your undertakings.
Such a sunny morning — (tho' fresh) may it be a good omen. — Our Friend's lovely telegram will have given you pleasure — shall I thank him for you? And for Ania's card, wire me a message to give over to her. — We sat with her in the evening as she had spent a lonely day, by chance nobody, except mother & son Karangozov came to see her. — We had a tiring day, so I did not take Olga to town, because of her cold & Becker's visit; Tatiana replaced her at the Committee. At the stores Marie Bariatinsky & Olga were making stockings, the same as they had been doing at Moscou so far. —
Everybody asks for news — I have none to give — but the heart is heavy — through Mekk's telegrams one sees the movements more or less. — Navrusov spoke with us by telephone, the sinner only leaves to-night — as he said to me, he had "fasted" for six months, now he must enjoy town. I called him a hulligan, wh. he did not approve of, — too bad, he says my health is better now, because he has been drinking for my health. I told him Pss. Gedroitz who is very fond of him, calls him our enfant terrible; then I spoke with Amilakhvari by telephone, & he will come to say goodbye to-day. — Bobrinsky has left full speed to Lvov.
They sang beautifully in Church. We had all my ladies, Benkend. & Ressin to lunch, then I received Kotchubey, Kniazhevitch, Amilakhvari then went to Ania & read to her, after wh. to the big palace for 10 m. — Now Xenia & Paul come to tea, so must end, — always a hurry. — Blessings & kisses without end — no news, so anxious.
Sweetheart, yr. very own, longing for you
Wify.
Nicholas's telegrams:
Telegram.
Stavka. 6 May, 1915.
I am very touched by your lovely presents and good wishes. Am sorry that we are not together. I thank Ella. I kiss you and the dear children fondly.
Nicky.
...
Telegram.
Stavka, 6 May, 1915.
Again I thank you tenderly and warmly for your good wishes. Be kind enough to thank our Friend for his moving words. After great heat and a night's downpour it has become much cooler now...
Nicky.
Above: Nicholas and Alexandra.
Above: Anna Vyrubova.
Above: Olga and Tatiana. Photo courtesy of Ilya Chishko at lastromanovs on VK.
Above: Olga Alexandrovna.
Notes: Nicholas and Alexandra referred to Grigori Rasputin as "our Friend".
Alexandra and her daughters used "Madame Becker" as a euphemism for their menstrual periods.
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