Sources:
Alexandra Feodorovna: Diaries and Correspondence, volume 2: Engagement and Marriage, 1894, pages 90 to 91, by George Hawkins, 2023
George Hawkins at Letters and writings of Nicholas II and his family on Facebook
Nicholas's letter from the same day (May 15/27):
The letter excerpt:
... Oh, in the papers here they wrote about me and quote something from Truth, that "charming" paper. Describing me and saying also that my chin is too short, alas I have long known it, and I fear even for yr sake I cannot succeed in pulling it longer. Otherwise they were most flattering. But what amused me most was that they said there was no photo of me full length but that all stopped at the calves. Have you ever heard of such an expression to be put in the papers? I roared sweet one...
The letter in full:
No. 27
Harrogate
May 27th 1894
Darling Nicky dear,
My most loving, tender thanks for your sweet letter, I received to-day — now I understand why it did not come yesterday as you sent it to Walton, but why on earth there as two letters ago you spoke about Harrogate.
The wind is terrific, howling, raging, and one can scarcely stand on one's feet so it blows, and then after 10 minutes the sun shines most gloriously. It is extraordinary weather.
Well yesterday afternoon Schneiderlein and I went in the bycicle bath chair wh was quite amusing as they are very comfortable and longer than the other ones. Then I took my baths, after wh tea and I rested. They make one's back ache so. I did not feel quite well, so did not read to the Ladies in the evening, but read a novel and they played Halma.
This morning I went with Gretchen to St. Peter's Church (High Church) and heard lovely singing, the sermon was not worth much. We sat rather behind amongst all sorts of people as I preferred it and a man behind me sang most beautifully. It lasted an hour and a half and I was rather stiff afterwards as the bench was hard and narrow. I feel so ashamed of myself for not kneeling, but I can't with my legs and now that the knees are bandaged still less. At 7 I am going with Gretchen to the Church next door (Congregational Church) two steps in. There are an amount of churches here and a great many belonging to sects as baptists, methodists, free church and so on.
In a simple bath chair with hood up, Schneiderlein promenading near me, I went out for a bit in storm and rain, out of spite the sun is of course shining now. I only had a needlebath this morning after wh I was wrapped up in hot towels and had to rest for ¼ of an hour before dressing and going home. I am sure it would shock Gretchen and Granny my writing all of this. And perhaps it does you. But I want you to know all your old owl is doing during your absence wh I hope will not last much longer.
What a sweet letter yrs was again, you dear old thing. I long to give you a good long hug for it and to peep into those big dark eyes. You will be one day without a letter as to-night the post only goes out, it being Sunday none went this morning and so this letter cannot reach London in time for the foreign post.
Oh, in the papers here they wrote about me and quote something from Truth, that "charming" paper. Describing me and saying also that my chin is too short, alas I have long known it, and I fear even for yr sake I cannot succeed in pulling it longer. Otherwise they were most flattering. But what amused me most was that they said there was no photo of me full length but that all stopped at the calves. Have you ever heard of such an expression to be put in the papers? I roared sweet one, I fear indeed you must be feeling very lonely now, especially have had Sandro so close by, so think how I feel without one relation but I am nevertheless contented. You must excuse this vile writing but I am lying on the sopha.
I have been writing a Russian epistle to Ella with the help of Schneiderlein. What a dear little Woman she is, I only hope she is not too much bored here and has not too great Heimweh. I am longing for some Relation or other, the first time without any is sad. But anything to get well for my Лаусбуб's sake. Thanks for the cutting. Beloved boysy, I prayed fervently for you in Church this morning, did our prayers meet, and now in an hour I shall again and implore Him to make me a better, more worthy creature for your love. But I must do a little Russian otherwise you will scold yr lazy girly.
Goodbye, beloved One, my own precious Nicky dear, my sunlight. Many tender kisses so I send you from tho far away and many tender blessings. Ever yr deeply loving old
Alix
God bless you! True unto Death. Do tell me always all about yr soldiers, I like it so much, loving soldiers as I do. Oh, how well I know when they sing on their homeward march and how often I have stopped to listen to them. And now I shall learn to love yours too and you must in return have a little corner open for my beloved Hessian ones, will sweet Dove?
The article that made Alix laugh:
There is a subject for a Christmas pantomime in the intrigues set on foot a few years ago to prevent the Czarewitch devoting himself to the Princess Alix of Hesse. A number of her sister's household was engaged to give information as to the steps taken to bring about an engagement. Another influence thought to be a potent one was set to work at Copenhagen. One who was charged to pull this wire tells me that, had it not been for the death of the Grand Duchess Paul, the hidden efforts would probably have succeeded. They tended to bring about a marriage between the second daughter of King George and the Czarewitch. But the Queen of Greece thought the sudden death of the Grand Duchess Paul a judgment of Heaven because she married a near relative. When she had made up her mind on this point, the Queen of Denmark invited the Princess Alix to Copenhagen, there to meet the Imperial family, and, as my informant says, the match was arranged en principe.
A great variety of photos of the future Czarina and her fiancé are on view in the windows of the printshops here. None are full-length, the largest stopping at the calf of the leg. She must be the taller, though they are made by the photographers to appear the same height. Ample justice is done to her. The different likenesses show her to have not mere physical beauty, but a face that interests by its power to express moods and fleeting feelings. An almost smiling bust-photo is delicious from the impression that it gives of inward joy. Others convey the idea of a pensive disposition and are more than charming. The figure is slim and elegant. An artlessly-made princesse-dress of light material and trimmed with coarse fur somehow does not spoil it. The fur is applied as if it were braid. If there is anything in the youthful face that just misses perfect beauty it is the chin, which is rather short and not sufficiently forward. But who could pay attention to this slight defect when there are such soulful eyes to look at!
Above: Nicholas and Alix.
Note: Heimweh = homesickness.
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