Alix's letter to Xenia, dated April 10, 1893

Source:

Alexandra Feodorovna: Diaries and Correspondence, volume 1: Princess of Hesse, 1872-1893, pages 293 to 294, by George Hawkins, 2023

The letter:

Darmstadt
April 10th 1893
My darling Xenia,
I just this moment received your dear telegramm, for wh best thanks. What a pitty that you have rain at Livadia, here we are enjoying the finest sunny weather and everything is getting quite green.

We are leaving on Wednesday evening for Florence (Hôtel de la Ville) and I should be so happy if you would send me a line there. Grandmama is living at the Villa Palmieri wh I believe is half an hour from the town, so we shall be perpetually on the rush.

I hear from Ella that she has got the mumps — poor girl. How is Georgie? Please give him and Nicky my love. Our stay at Coburg was charming, we used to spend the mornings painting in the garden, and the afternoon we drove to the Rosenau where we played lawn-tennis and drank tea. Comte Lamsdorff (from Stuttgart) was there, he is so very nice. I hope you spent Easter happily. I thought so much of you all yesterday.

Hoping to hear from you soon, if it is not asking too much.
I remain with a tender kiss, dear Chicken dear, yr very loving old Hen
Alix

Above: Alix.

Above: Xenia.

Excerpt from Georgy's letter to Xenia about Nicholas's and Alix's engagement, dated April 13, 1894

Source:

Olga Grigor'eva at lastromanovs on VK

https://vk.com/lastromanovs?w=wall-56510987_36432

The letter excerpt:

Абас-Туман. N4. 13-го Апреля 1894 г.

Дорогая моя Ксения!

... Слава Богу что Ники наконец помолвлен с Аликс. Ты не поверишь как я этому обрадовался; это великое счастье что она согласилась в конце концов, а то могла-бы выйти весьма неприятная история, в особенности из-за Малечки; надо удивляться одному, как до сих пор Папа и Мама ничего об ней не знают. Хорошо еще, что это так кончилось.

Интересно бы знать почему Аликс сначала отказала Ники, это очень странно.

English translation (my own):

Abas-Tuman. No. 4. 13th April 1894.

My dear Xenia!

... Thank God Nicky is finally engaged to Alix. You will not believe how happy I was about it; it is a great happiness that she agreed in the end, otherwise a very unpleasant story could have come out, especially because of Malechka; it is necessary to be surprised at one thing, how until now Papa and Mama do not know anything about her. It's good that it ended like that.

It would be interesting to know why Alix refused Nicky at first, this is very strange.

Above: Georgy.

Above: Xenia.

Above: Nicholas and Alix.

Note: Malechka = Mathilda Kshessinskaya.

Alexandra's letter to Nicholas, dated July 22, 1899

Alexandra wrote this letter to Nicholas on July 22, 1899, after the death and funeral of his brother, Grand Duke George.

Source:

A Lifelong Passion, letters and diary entries compiled by Andrei Maylunas and Sergei Mironenko

The letter:

My own precious darling Huzy dear,
I cannot find words to tell you how intense my joy was when Archie brought me your adorable letter. It was such a delightful surprise and I thank you for it with all my heart — you're too sweet to have thought of me and this time I gave no letter to be taken for you, such a shame.

Fancy your having sat near me writing the letter, not for a minute did I guess it was for me. I only wondered how quickly you were writing to Victoria. The night was a lonely one and each time I woke up and put my hand out, I touched cold pillow instead of a dear warm hand and nobody to shake and poke and bother by waking up. When you drove off I looked from the corridor window like in the morning when you rode.

I miss your kisses frightfully and hated to see you start off alone on that sad journey — each time we part it is for a sad reason and therefore doubly hard to let you go alone. My thoughts do not leave you for an instant and I can imagine with what feelings you approach Moscow. My heart aches for you and I know how your night will be — could I have flown over to clasp you in my arms and to shower kisses upon you and to tell you of my great love and how it daily grows and grows, filling up my whole life.

But he, the dear boy is at peace and rest now, away from life's sorrows and free from all sufferings. One cannot wish him back again to continue his solitary life. I am sure that he and your darling Father are now nearer to you than ever and that they grieve to see you suffering all. But think what a stay and comfort you are to poor little Motherdear and having you near her will help her too. If my love can be of any comfort let me tell it you over and over again — I love you, I love you, with all my heart and mind and soul and with passion and tenderness.

The little girlies have been here — such a pity that you cannot see Olga on her namesday. Xenia's children will take tea with them and then I shall take Baby down in the lift to them. I can write no more. Stana is coming. It poured hard, is colder, water high, but now sunshine, cannot be on the balcony. Goodbye and God bless you. I cover your precious face and every little dear place with tender kisses and remain your own old Wify for ever and ever.
Alix

Above: Nicholas and Alexandra with their daughters the Grand Duchesses Olga, Tatiana and Maria Nikolaevna, year 1899.

Above: Grand Duke George.