Alix's letter to Queen Victoria, dated December 26, 1893

Source:

Alexandra Feodorovna: Diaries and Correspondence, volume 1: Princess of Hesse, 1872-1893, pages 311 to 312, by George Hawkins, 2023

The letter:

Königliches Schloss
Kiel
December 26th 1893
My darling Grandmama,
Please accept my very warmest thanks for Your presents and good wishes. The Brooch is quite too lovely, the Florence turquoise in diamond setting, I have worn it and it has been greatly admired. The little Sketchbook with Paintbox is delightful and will be most useful.

I do hope you spent a pleasant Xmas, here it was very nice and all were most kind. Having Charlotte, Bernhard and Feo in the house makes it so lively, tho' one cannot help having one's sad thoughts when one thinks of the happy bygone time.

Beloved Grandmama, let me now wish You every possible happiness and blessing in the New Year — may it be full of sunshine for You and our heavenly Father keep every cloud from You.

I cannot help dreading always the coming of the New Year as one never knows what is in store for one, God grant that it may be full of joy and happiness for my darling Ernie and the sweet little Wife whom he is soon going to fetch. Now I long for my precious One more than ever, how happy he would have been to see Ernie happy and what a comfort it would have been to me, as life will indeed be very different for me, as I shall be feeling myself de trop.

But I must not bother You with a long letter, as I am sure You have a lot to do.

Kissing Your dear Hand most tenderly, and again wishing you much joy,
I remain, Darling Grandmama dear,
Ever Your very loving, grateful and dutiful Child,
Alix

Above: Alix.

Above: Queen Victoria.

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

Source:

Alexandra Feodorovna: Diaries and Correspondence, volume 1: Princess of Hesse, 1872-1893, pages 291 to 292, by George Hawkins, 2023

The letter:

Darmstadt
Jan 10th 1893
My darling Xenia,
I send you my very fondest thanks for your dear letter, sweet Photo and pretty card, which all gave me immense pleasure. It seems so funny that you should already be quite a grown up lady as the last time I saw you, you wore short hair and frocks.

Poor little Chicken, I hope your rash is quite gone by this time and that you were able to spend a merry Xmas, it was so nice for us being able to spend it at Kiel, as the first time alone at home would have been too hard. I trust that the New Year will "bring unmeasured joy to thine heart, whilst all that can sadden or cause thee a tear, with the fast-dying year may depart." God bless you and may you have nothing but sunshine and happiness in your life.

Though I scarcely ever write to you, you must not think that it is because I have forgotten you, for my thoughts and prayers are constantly with you, and your photo goes along with me, so shall now the new little one. I send you a tiny one of me done last winter, it is taken out of a group wh was done in a room, so is not very like. I was taken in England and shall send you one of them an other time. You must excuse this horrible writing, but I am resting after having ridden in the manège.

Ernie is out shooting to-day, the weather is lovely, bright sun, blue skye, and everything white. Latterly we have been skating several times and it was so nice, it reminds me always of 89, when we used to fly down the icehills and scramble about with the balls, pellies and baskets.

To-day is Missy's Wedding, I am sure she will look lovely. I am going to Mossy's, but I must say I rather dread it, as I never care for such large festivities and all the dressing up and many people — it is the first time I go for such an occasion and I shall miss my own beloved Papa most awfully. Not a year and I must already go to such festivities, but being the only Hessian Princess, it is thought right I should be present at her marriage, but one cannot alas doa always what one would care to and it is so hard to have to be smiling and chattering away when one feels far from it, but I must not grumble.

Now this long epistle must come to an end, else you will think me a too tremendous a bore. With many a loving kiss and tenderest wishes for the New Year, I am, My darling little One,
Ever yr most loving and devoted old hen, Frog, Goat, Toad
Alix

Ernie sends much love to you and the Boys as do I also. If you would write once again you would make me very happy.

Above: Alix.

Above: Marie "Missy" of Edinburgh and Prince Ferdinand of Romania.

Above: Xenia.

Alix's letter to Xenia, dated January 11, 1892

Source:

Alexandra Feodorovna: Diaries and Correspondence, volume 1: Princess of Hesse, 1872-1893, pages 249 to 250, by George Hawkins, 2023

The letter:

Jan 11th 92
My darling Xenia,
To-day I am sending you one of my English photos; you must send me a large one of yourself also once, will you?

Ernis sends you the enclosed card with best wishes for the New Year.

Uncle Arthur and A. Louischen are arriving soon, so you must not expect a long letter. The Edinburghs' are coming for two days from Friday on.
A good long kiss,
Ever yr very loving old
Alix

Above: Alix.

Above: Xenia.

Alix's letter to Xenia, dated December 29, 1891

Source:

Alexandra Feodorovna: Diaries and Correspondence, volume 1: Princess of Hesse, 1872-1893, pages 248 to 249, by George Hawkins, 2023

The letter:

Dec 29th 1891
My душка Ксеніи,
Very best thanks for your dear letter and amusing card. These frogs are to bring you my fondest good wishes for Xmas and the New Year, wh I hope will be a very happy one for you. It was most dear of you to have thought of the old Hen.

I am sure it must have been a great pleasure to you, having had Toria and Maud in the Crimea; they seem to have enjoyed it so much. They will have cheered you up, after the sorrows of this summer.

How you must miss poor, dear little Alix — what a sweet creature she was; but such is life, those that are good and dearest to one are often taken away the first.

But now my Chick, I must say Goodbye. God bless you in the New Year and make you very happy and fulfill all your wishes.
A good kiss,
Ever yr very loving old
Alix

Above: Alix. Photo courtesy of TatianaZ on Flickr.

Above: Xenia with Princess Maria of Greece.

Note: "душка Ксеніи" = "darling Xenia".

Tatiana's letter to Olga Voronova, dated December 25, 1914

Source:

Kler Chernikina at lastromanovs on VK

https://vk.com/lastromanovs?w=wall-56510987_48924

The letter:

Царское Село.

25го Декабря 1914.

Спасибо Вам большое за Ваше милое письмо и вещи. Прошу Вас очень поблагодарить Вашего мужа за поздравления. —

Сегодня будет Елка в нашем лазарете у офицеров и мы туда поедем. —

У нас Елка была вчера днем.

Теперь у нас будет много Елок, для раненых и других.

Пожалуйста поздравьте от меня Вашу Мама и сестер. Мама наша страшно устала и сердце не хорошо т. к. ей пришлось все время вставать с кровати (когда надо было лежать) и всем выбирала и устраивала подарки, когда и без того плохо себя чувствовала.

Где Тата живет, в Петрограде или тут, и где? Т. к. мы когда теперь благодарили ее за письма не знаем куда адресовать потому и адресуем Вам.

Ну, досвиданья моя Ольга душка. Желаю Вам всего всего хорошего в Новом Году. Буду о Вас думать и поздравлять за 29 на рождение Вашего мужа.

Крепко и нежно Вас целую родная моя целую.

Всем сердцем Ваша

Татьяна.

English translation (my own):

Tsarskoe Selo.

December 25th, 1914.

Thank you very much for your lovely letter and things. I ask you to thank your husband very much for the congratulations. —

Today there will be a Christmas tree in our infirmary with the officers and we will go there. —

We had a Christmas party yesterday afternoon.

Now we will have a lot of Christmas parties, for the wounded and others.

Please congratulate your Mama and sisters from me. Our Mama was terribly tired and her heart was not good, because she had to get out of bed all the time (when she had to lie down) and chose and arranged gifts for everyone when she already felt bad.

Where does Tata live, in Petrograd or here, and where? Because when we now thanked her for her letters, we don't know where to address, and so we address you.

Well, goodbye, my dear Olga. I wish you all the best in the New Year. I will think about you and congratulate you for the 29th on your husband's birthday.

I kiss you firmly and tenderly, my dear.

With all my heart

Tatiana.

Above: Alexandra with Tatiana.

Note: Tata = Natalia K. Kleinmichel.

Alexandra's postcard to Toni Becker, New Year 1898

Source:

Briefe der Zarin Alexandra von Russland an ihre Jugendfreundin Toni Becker-Bracht (2009), edited by Lotte Hoffmann-Kuhnt

The letter:

Meiner liebe Toni. Die innigsten Glück & Segenswüns[che] von Deiner treuen Freundin Alix 1897. 1898

English translation (my own):

My dear Toni. The heartiest wishes for happiness and blessings from your faithful friend Alix 1897. 1898

Above: Alexandra. Photo courtesy of TatianaZ on Flickr.

Letter to Alexandra from Olga, Christmas 1912/New Year 1913

Source:

Olga Grigor'eva at lastromanovs on VK

https://vk.com/lastromanovs?w=wall-56510987_24475

The letter:

To sweet beloved Mama darling, a very bright Xmas. May all Gods blessings be ever upon You & may You always be happy & feel better. Kiss You very fondly Mama Angel. I am always Yr. ever very true girl

Olga.

1912-1913.

Above: Alexandra with Olga.

Alexandra's postcard letter to Gretchen von Fabrice, dated January 2, 1900

Source:

Alix und Gretchen: Briefe der Zarin Alexandra Feodorowna an Freiin Margarethe v. Fabrice, aus den Jahren 1891-1914 (2002), published by Heinrich, Count of Spreti

The postcard letter:

Prosit Neujahr 1900! Dieses Mädchen sagt, ein Herz dem anderen Herzen Nachricht gibt'. Meine treuesten Wünsche Ihnen Allen & Tausend Grüsse

English translation (my own):

Happy New Year 1900! This girl says 'One heart gives message to another heart'. My best wishes to you all & a thousand greetings

Above: Alexandra. Photo courtesy of Ilya Chishko.

Alexandra's postcard letter to Gretchen von Fabrice, dated January 1, 1900

Source:

Alix und Gretchen: Briefe der Zarin Alexandra Feodorowna an Freiin Margarethe v. Fabrice, aus den Jahren 1891-1914 (2002), published by Heinrich, Count of Spreti

The postcard letter:

Glück und Segen auf allen Wegen / Gedenke vergangenen Sylvesterabende in alter Heimat. / Umarmend Alix

English translation (my own):

Happiness and blessings on all paths / Remember past New Year's Eves in the old Home. / Embracing Alix

Above: Alexandra. Photo courtesy of Ilya Chishko.

Irène's letter to William Boyd Carpenter, Bishop of Ripon, dated December 28, 1905

Source:

The Life and Letters of William Boyd Carpenter, Bishop of Ripon, page 259, by H. D. A. Major, 1925

https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=wu.89097194617

The letter:

Kiel.

Dec. 28th, 1905.

MY DEAR BISHOP,

Most heartfelt thanks for your so kind letter of good wishes with those beautiful verses you wrote, and the charming book of Poems by Whittier, which is quite new to me and has such lovely passages. I shall prize it very much, I assure you. The Prince joins me in sending you our truest good wishes for 1906 and that it may be one of joy for you and yours.

I just received letters from my two sisters in Russia; they avoid touching on political matters excepting just mentioning the anxiety they are in for the welfare of their country. It is grievous times they are going through. At Zarskoe the Empress is out of those terrible sights and sounds, but my eldest sister Ella at Moscow is not — although fortunately she left there before these last barricade fights took place to join the Emperor for his Namesday. They both occupy themselves chiefly for the sick and wounded returned from the war. Alise goes almost daily to a hospital in the Park of Zarskoe, where she even reads to the poor soldiers in Russian — she has a school for them where they do basketwork and tailoring, carpentering and boot-making — for those poor souls who have been amputated — and she says those with one arm learn also very quickly. Then a newly founded Hospital for Babies where nurses are trained for Nursery work, wh. is a great failing in Russia, cleanliness and neatness being one of their very weak points, also answers well. She started it this summer and is quite proud of her success so far, as she is constantly seeing them at work — it is really a school for nurses in better families, nursemaids, etc. Then her two trains are still running for the sick and wounded in Siberia — and her depôt of clothing and necessaries still greatly in demand. All this is some comfort to her in these sad times. My sister in Moscow has many institutions she is at the head of, and especially one hospital where now in her sad widowhood she goes twice a day to and says: "My hospital is an intense comfort to me; I never thought it could be so calming to know those simple souls with their little interests, their great faith in God, and unbounded patience — how they bear their own wounds is marvellous; one feels so small next to that patience. Never worry for me, nothing prints itself on me to make me nervous physically or morally — I have a feeling of belonging to those who suffer — that I want to be my aim in life; personal sorrow is gone, there is no room for it. Serge (her husband) is at rest, such rest we on this earth can't find: how can and dare I long for him to return? I have and will stand alone — I who never did a thing without his advice, it seems strange to me. I manage it — but what must be must be, and perhaps that is my strength that God does not allow me to lose courage, it is work, work, and I feel well, etc. I have much more comfort than Ernie (our brother now nearly two years ago when his little girl died) had and none of those worries, etc. All only live to give me pleasure, and perhaps the hardest thing for me now is not to become selfish. I have a constant battle with myself; it is good not to spoil people. All charity-work gives so much joy in spite of so many a very bitter disappointment, but that is good — it pushes one on."

I have only written this out for you!!! — who know us all almost — that you should have a peep into her sweet unselfish nature, so full of love and faith. So true, so simple, never gaining any influence except by her deeds and never pushing herself forward, always keeping in the background. You can well imagine how she is adored — but her life is in God's hands, and nowhere else would she be happy at present. She knows all the failings of the Russian character, but also their good points. She is no dreamer. Forgive me writing all this about my own dear sisters — but you kindly asked after them, and I thought you might like a peep into their inner life so sacred to us.

Once more every good wish for you and yours from

Yours truly,

IRÈNE, PRINCESS HENRY.

Above: Alexandra.

Above: Ella.

Above: Irène.

Above: William Boyd Carpenter, Bishop of Ripon.

Excerpt from Alexandra's letter to Sophie Buxhoeveden, dated New Year's Eve 1917

Source:

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

The letter excerpt:

Thank God, we are still in Russia and all together.

Above: Alexandra.

Above: Sophie Buxhoeveden.

Alexandra's New Year card to Gretchen von Fabrice, year 1895

Source:

Alix an Gretchen: Briefe der Zarin Alexandra Feodorowna an Freiin Margarethe v. Fabrice, aus den Jahren 1891-1914 (2002), published by Heinrich, Count of Spreti

My 900th post on this blog!

The telegram:

That His Peace may tend you,

and His love caress you,

Is the wish I send you

In the words: 'God bless you'

Alix 1895

Gedenke was dies Blümlein spricht!

English translation of the German part (my own):

Remember what this little Flower says!

Above: Alexandra (then Alix) and Gretchen von Fabrice.

Alexandra's telegram to Gretchen von Fabrice, dated December 19/31, 1894

Source:

Alix an Gretchen: Briefe der Zarin Alexandra Feodorowna an Freiin Margarethe v. Fabrice, aus den Jahren 1891-1914 (2002), published by Heinrich, Count of Spreti

The telegram:

31. 12. 1894, 5 Uhr 5:

Tenderest thoughts with you tonight / think of past days

Martinskirche / Gottes reichsten Segen Ihnen Allen im neuen Jahr / kisses / thanks / lovely presents

Alix

English translation (my own, with original English in italics):

31. 12. 1894, 5:05 o'clock:

Tenderest thoughts with you tonight / think of past days

Martinskirche / God's richest blessing to you all in the New Year / kisses / thanks / lovely presents

Alix

Above: Alexandra (then Alix). Photo courtesy of TatianaZ on Flickr.

Above: Alexandra (then Alix) with Gretchen, 1891. Photo courtesy of TatianaZ on Flickr.

New Years letter to Alexandra from OTMA, 1915

Source:

Olga Grigor'eva at lastromanovs on VK

https://vk.com/lastromanovs?w=wall-56510987_24470

The letter:

1915.

Wishing the Sweetest of Mothers a happy Year New fr. her stupid but very loving daughters

Olga Tatiana

Maria Anastaska

Above: Alexandra with Olga, Tatiana, Maria and Anastasia. Photo courtesy of tashusik3 on Flickr.

Alexandra's postcard letter to Grand Duchess Maria Georgievna, dated December 1915 or January 1916

Source:

State Historical Museum

https://catalog.shm.ru/entity/OBJECT/6136606?page=4&artist=629915357&index=169

The letter:

To dear Minny with loving Xmas greetings & blessings for 1916.

A kiss fr.

Alix.

Above: Alexandra. Photo courtesy of Ilya Grigoryev at lastromanovs on VK.

Above: Grand Duchess Maria Georgievna.

Alexandra's copied out poems and message for Nicholas, year 1918

Source:

Letters and writings of Nicholas II and his family on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=223998529344535&id=108838347527221

The poems and message:

"Like an angel of the sky serene,

In the glow of a quiet fire,

You prayed with a tender soul

For yourself, and for me.

You are words of love from me

Spiritual doubt withdraws

And the heart with silent wings

Your prayers of autumn"

Fet.

"My friend, I thank the Creator for all things

In all things, know His holy will

He gave you your earthly share,

He created us, He put in our hearts

A thirst for good, and a light of hopes,

And the heat of blessed joy,

And a polyphonic string of suffering.

He is good, — and from Him, every gift is good.

Thank always — for everything — for joy —

If the joy of His goodness is given

And for sadness. For in sorrow, we can see —

though in a dark robe, —  goodness too!"

Alexandrov.

Wishing my very own beloved precious one every blessing + good health, peace of mind, strength, courage, energy + resignation, recompense, great happiness & good luck for 1918 with 1000 fond kisses fr. old Wify. Tobolsk.

Above: Nicholas and Alexandra.

Alexandra's letter to Princess Maria Baryatinskaya, dated December 31, 1900

Source:

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

The letter:

LIVADIA,

Dec. 31st, 1900.

DEAREST MARY, — I feel I cannot go to bed without having once more thanked you from the bottom of my heart for the Image. It touched me deeply, and tears were not far off when you three gave it me. Bless you for your kind thought. I shall always take it with me everywhere as a remembrance of that anxious time and Xmastide and the beginning of the new century. What sorrows this last year brought us, what endless anxieties, what worries and losses — God grant the new year may be a calmer and happier one for the whole of dear Russia. Sleep well and peacefully. …

Above: Alexandra.

Alexandra's autograph in a commemorative book, New Year 1901

Source:

https://www.litfund.ru/news/2194/

The autograph:

Примите мои искреннейшие и сердечные пожелания к Новому Году.
Александра.

English translation (my own):

Accept my sincere and heartfelt wishes for the New Year.
Alexandra.

Above: Alexandra.

New Year's letter to Alexandra by Maria, year 1909

Source:

Olga Grigor'eva at lastromanovs on VK

https://vk.com/lastromanovs?w=wall-56510987_51069

The letter:

1909 г.
Христос Воскресе!
Моя милая Мама. Как твое здоровье? желаю Тебе хорошо провести праздник. целую крепко.
Мария

English translation (my own):

1909
Christ Is Risen!
My dear Mama. How is your health? I wish you a good holiday. A big kiss.
Maria

Above: Alexandra and Maria. Photo courtesy of Ilya Grigoryev at lastromanovs on VK.

Elisabeth's postcard for Nicholas and Alexandra, New Year 1894/1895

Source:

romanovsonelastdance on Tumblr

https://romanovsonelastdance.tumblr.com/post/145098868625/card-from-elizaveta-feodorovna-to-nicholas-ii-and

The postcard:

For both dears!

The Sun!
the flowers!
love without end
& blessings for new year.

Ella
1894-95

Above: Elisabeth.

Above: Nicholas and Alexandra.