Part 2 of an article about Alexandra in "Queens of the World" section of "Every Woman's Encyclopaedia", year between 1910 and 1912

Source:

Queens of the World in Every Woman's Encyclopaedia, volume 2, published between 1910 and 1912

https://archive.org/details/everywomansencyc02londuoft/page/1140/mode/2up?q=Darmstadt

The article:

QUEENS OF THE WORLD

No. 4 (continued). The Empress of Russia

Continued from page 1023, Part 8

The princess took the keenest interest in helping forward the various philanthropic societies which her mother had founded in Darmstadt, and which had been named after her. They consisted of a hospital, nursing association, and an orphanage, established by Princess Alice at the terrible period of the Franco-German War, and the "Alice Society for the Education and Employment of Women of All Classes," having for its objects the better education of women generally, and the opening up to them of new fields of labour. Princess Alix was a constant visitor at the hospital and at the orphanage. She also developed a keen interest in all that concerned the position of women, and did her utmost, so far as a young princess could, to further her mother's excellent plans for breaking down the barriers which excluded women from many of the educated professions.

Thus she spent the years following her sojourn in Great Britain, assisting her father, and making herself popular with poor and rich alike by her gracious manner and the keen interest which she took in the welfare of all classes.

A Romantic Story

Many speculations were rife about this time as to who the husband of Princess Alix would be. Many alliances were suggested, but apparently the young Princess had fully determined to bestow her hand where she had given her heart. In one of the letters to Queen Victoria her mother had written, she said: "You say rightly, what a fault it is of parents to bring up their daughters with the main object of marrying them. A marriage for the sake of marriage is surely the greatest mistake a woman can make."

Apparently, Princess Alice had become imbued with her mother's views on this subject, and although several suitors were mentioned whose wealth and rank were far beyond her own, Princess Alix refused to consider their proposals. Was this because there was "someone else" at this period? It would almost seem so.

It was known that the young Tsarewitch, who was four years older than Princess Alix, being born at St. Petersburg on May 18, 1868, was very much attracted by the unmarried daughter of the Grand Duke of Hesse. But marriage between them was thought to be impossible, for, in the first place, his parents had a much more ambitious matrimonial alliance in view for him, and in the second place, there was the difference in religion; for when a Protestant princess marries into the Russian Royal Family, she is required to enter the Greek Church.

It was in 1884 that Princess Alix first met Nicholas II., but ten years elapsed before she became his wife. His parents were disappointed in his choice; while Queen Victoria objected on the score of religion. Seeing how deep their son's attachment was, however, the former at last yielded to the charms of the Princess, while Nicholas's uncle, the Grand Duke Sergius, came to England and pleaded his nephew's cause so eloquently that at last Queen Victoria consented to the wedding.

Religious Difficulties

The Princess, however, fought long against her conversion to the faith of the Greek Orthodox Church, which was essential to the union. "You cannot love him, then," once exclaimed her brother Ernest, after trying in vain to induce her to make this sacrifice of her religion. "But I do," protested the Princess earnestly, with tears pouring down her cheeks, "indeed I do!" She was quite willing to join the Greek Orthodox Church, but refused to utter the formula declaring her old form of faith to be false and wicked. At the suggestion of Alexander III., however, the obnoxious words were omitted.

This incident illustrates the firmness of mind of the Empress, where a matter of conscience is involved, and for some years after her marriage she was unpopular at the Russian Court on account of the courage she displayed when enforcing her opinions. She introduced many reforms at the Russian Court. She refused to allow smoking among her ladies; she set her face against the idle rich who used Court influence for their own purposes, and abolished much of the pomp and ceremony.

The betrothal of Princess Alix to the Tsarewitch was announced on April 20, 1894, and on November 3 following — which was two days after the death of his father Alexander III., and one day after his accession to the throne of "all the Russias" had been publicly announced at St. Petersburg — Nicholas II. announced that the Princess Alix of Hesse, the bride of his choice, had accepted the orthodox faith under the name of Alexandra, and would be henceforth known as the Grand Duchess Alexandra Feodorovna.

Her Wedding

Princess Alix had been summoned to the bedside of Alexander III. at Livadia, and for some time it was supposed that the marriage would be celebrated during his lifetime. This was not to be, however, and national mourning was suspended for a day on November 26, 1894, when the marriage took place in the private chapel of the Winter Palace at St. Petersburg.

The manifesto issued by Nicholas II. on the occasion of his marriage explains, to a certain extent, why the ceremony took place so soon after the death of his father.

"Solicitous for the destinies of our new reign," he said, "we have deemed it well not to delay the fulfilment of our heart's wish, the legacy, so sacred to us, of our father, now resting in God; nor to defer the realisation of the joyful expectation of our whole people that our marriage, hallowed by the benediction of our parents, should be blessed by the Sacrament of our Holy Church."

The marriage was made the occasion of much rejoicing. For the first time in recent Russian history the troops were withdrawn from the line of route, and no restraint was placed upon the erection of temporary stands, the climbing of lamp-posts, and the occupation of every coign of vantage, exactly is as done in London on the occasion of a State pageant. The official programme indicated that there would be cavalry escorts with the carriage, and when it appeared without a single mounted soldier, the delight of the people was boundless.

H. I. M. the Empress of Russia, daughter of the Grand Duke of Hesse and grand-daughter of Queen Victoria, whose marriage to the Tsar took place in November, 1894. The magnificent national robes and crown are a worthy setting for the Tsarina's stately beauty.

Thus did the young Tsar show his courage on his marriage day, and further enhanced his popularity by issuing a manifesto granting important alleviation of pains, penalties, fines, debts, and arrears of taxes to the peasantry, pardon for the Polish rebels of 1863, mitigation of punishment to Siberian exiles, and a reduction of one third of the terms of imprisonment to all criminals.

Bad times, however, were in store for the Royal couple. Revolution became rampant, and Nihilists stalked the land. To-day they find their chief delight in the society of their children.

Her Children

The eldest, Grand Duchess Olga, was born on November 15, 1895, and then followed the Grand Duchess Tatiana, born June 10, 1897; the Grand Duchess Marie, born June 26, 1899, and the Grand Duchess Anastasia, born June 18, 1901. Not until three years later, on August 12, 1904, was the Grand Duke Alexis, the heir apparent, born. The news of his birth was welcomed with rejoicings all over Russia, and when he was christened three days later in the church of the Peterhof Palace, both the German Emperor and King Edward were represented as godfathers.

At "The Farm," situated in a remote part of the magnificent grounds of Peterhof Palace on the Finnish bay, the Royal children have their pets, and here in the evening they listen to the music rendered by their mother and father. For both the Tsar and Tsarina are very musical. A celebrated violinist once said of the latter that if she were in another sphere of life she would have won great fame. The Tsar, too, plays the violin well, and is very fond of an instrument called the balalaika, which is a kind of guitar with only three strings. He often sings to this instrument, for he possesses a tenor voice of excellent quality. Never are the Tsar and Tsarina so happy as when they have an excuse for staying a few days at "The Farm" in the company of their children. "What a happy family they would be," remarked one who has spent years in their service, "if they were not overshadowed by grim State cares."

A Pathetic Picture

Here is a final picture of the Tsarina. The scene is Reval, on the occasion of the historic meeting of the Tsar and King Edward last summer. Tired and ill, she remarks in a burst of confidence to an officer standing by: "I am feeling so weary that I had far rather have stayed at home, but as my absence would certainly have been misunderstood, I have made a great effort to come."

Could anything be more pathetic?

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Part 1 of an article about Alexandra in "Queens of the World" section of "Every Woman's Encyclopaedia", year between 1910 and 1912

Source:

Queens of the World in Every Woman's Encyclopaedia, volume 2, published between 1910 and 1912

https://archive.org/details/everywomansencyc02londuoft/page/1022/mode/2up?q=Darmstadt

The article:

QUEENS of the WORLD

No. 4. The Empress of Russia

Her Childhood Days and the Tragedies of Her Early Life — Queen Victoria's Affection for Her, and the Happy Days Spent at Balmoral and Osborne — Her Popularity in England — A Serious and Accomplished Scholar

On June 6, 1872, in a small palace built for her parents at Darmstadt, a fourth daughter was born to the Grand Duchess of Hesse, who is better known to English people as Princess Alice, the second daughter of Queen Victoria.

The brightness and charm of the babe was such that her fond mother quickly bestowed upon her the name of "Princess Sunshine," but fate plays strange tricks, and to-day "Princess Sunshine" is referred to as "the most pathetic figure in Europe."

Tragedy followed her almost from birth. Mother, brother and sister died in circumstances tragic in the extreme, and since her marriage to the Tsar, in 1894, the troubles of Red Russia, and the fear that she may be robbed of husband and children by an assassin's hand have haunted her to such an extent that she is a broken woman, although not yet forty years of age.

Never, however, was a princess born under happier circumstances. It is true her parents were poor. Until her father, Prince Louis of Hesse, became Grand Duke in 1877, they were obliged to study economy, and even afterwards money was none too plentiful. The duke's income was but that of a private gentleman, and many of the young princess's dresses were made by her mother. Until her confirmation she was only allowed a shilling a week for pocket-money, and it was a red-letter day when "Grandmamma Victoria" sent presents of new toys, books and frocks.

But if "Princess Sunshine" did not live in luxury, she lived in the society of a mother who was all that a mother should be. Her "Letters" (1884), edited by Princess Christian, gives a charming impression of an accomplished lady, lovable alike as a daughter, wife, and mother — gracious and kind to all the world. She did not complain of her lack of wealth; one of her favourite axioms was "the less people have, the less they want, and the greater is the enjoyment of that which they have." Thus the princess who was destined to be the bride of the world's richest monarch was early taught the lessons of economy, and how much enjoyment can be obtained from little means.

H. I. M. THE EMPRESS OF RUSSIA

Before her marriage, in 1894, the Empress was the beautiful Princess Alix of Hesse, beloved for her goodness and personal charm. Her life-story is one in which romance and tragedy have each played their part.

Early Tragedies.

For four years after her birth no cloud marred her happiness or that of her parents. She was christened Victoria Alix Helena Louise Beatrice, the names in due order of Queen Victoria's daughters, and it is interesting to note, in view of her marriage, that among her sponsors were her future parents-in-law, then the Tsarewitsch and Tsarewna of Russia. Then came the first tragedy. One of her brothers, Prince Fritz — there were two, the other being Prince Ernest — fell from the window of a room in which he was playing, and died as a result of the accident.

Two years later there was an outbreak of diphtheria at the Royal house at Darmstadt. The lives of all the children were in danger, but they all fought against the disease successfully, except the baby, Princess May, who succumbed. But worse was to follow. Worn out with nursing and anxiety, the mother contracted the fatal infection through kissing Prince Ernest, who was suffering from the disease. It was a fatal kiss, and on December 14, 1878, the future Empress of Russia lost the best of mothers. It was a great blow, for the Duchess had been her children's constant companion. She had not only acted as their guide, comforter, and mentor, but often as their governess and playfellow, for she was one of those mothers who do not believe in leaving children too much to the care of nurses and governesses, and a letter which she wrote to Queen Victoria strikingly illustrates the wise and far-seeing manner in which she brought up her children.

A Model Mother

"What you say about the education of our girls," she said, "I entirely agree with, and I strive to bring them up totally free from pride of their position, which is nothing, save what their personal worth can make it. I feel so entirely as you do on the difference of rank, and how all important it is for princes and princesses to know that they are nothing better or above others, save through their own merit; and that they have only the double duty of living for others and of being an example — good and modest. This I hope my children will grow up to."

"Princess Sunshine" had three elder sisters — Princess Victoria, who married Admiral Prince Louis of Battenberg; Princess Elizabeth, who married the Grand Duke Sergius of Russia; and Irene, who became the wife of her cousin, Prince Henry of Prussia, the brother of the Kaiser.

A tragic note even enters into the history of these three sisters, for while the marriages of Princesses Victoria and Irene were of the happiest description, that of Princess Elizabeth was marred by that period of terror which has undermined the health of the Tsarina.

The Grand Duke Sergius, a man of gloomy and tyrannical nature, was hated as much for his deeds of oppression as his wife was loved for her deeds of charity. He was constantly threatened with assassination, and his wife was warned not to accompany him; but she persisted in doing so, and it was only by an accident that she escaped the bomb which exploded under the Grand Duke's carriage near his own palace in Moscow and destroyed his life.

Her Life in England

Previous to her mother's death, the Empress of Russia was brought up to an outdoor life. The winter was usually spent at Darmstadt, and the summer at the Schloss of Kranichstein, the small country house of her parents, where the children had a perfect menagerie of pet animals. Occasionally they visited Queen Victoria at Balmoral, and it was to this country that the Grand Duke brought his children, immediately after the tragic episode in 1878, which resulted in the death of his wife and the baby Princess May.

And in Queen Victoria the young members of the Hesse family found a second mother. Her Majesty insisted on having them with her at Balmoral and Osborne, and several happy years did the future Empress of Russia spend in this country, which she almost regarded as her home. At Balmoral the children led a delightful existence. They rode, walked, and fished among the Highlands, and many stories are told of the charming, unconventional ways of Princess Alix — as the future Tsarina was officially known.

On one occasion she was out riding when she lost her hat in a strong wind, and arrived at a cottage laughing at the handkerchief which she had donned as a headdress. Borrowing comb and hairpins, she quickly got her rebellious locks into order, and placing the handkerchief on her head again, rode home to the castle. Keepers, cottagers, and shopkeepers all knew Princess Alix, and are proud of the fact that she thought of them when, after her marriage, she visited Balmoral with her husband. As a matter of fact, Princess Alix endeared herself to the hearts of everyone with whom she came into contact in this country, and this, perhaps, will serve to explain the keen sympathy which has been aroused by the unfortunate circumstances which have led to the blighting of her married life.

A Serious Student

Princess Alix was nearly sixteen years of age when she returned to Darmstadt. By this time her sisters had married, and she was called upon practically to occupy the position of chief lady of the Grand Ducal Court. It was a responsible position for one so young, but although she was full of fun at times, and took special delight in exercising her talent as a caricaturist, Princess Alix proved herself quite equal to her responsibilities. By this time she had begun to acquire some of that composure and dignity of manner which in later years was described as coldness and austerity. She also began to interest herself in serious study, and was exceedingly fond of reading books on philosophy and sociology.

To be continued.

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1894 lithograph portrait of Alix in British newspaper "The Graphic"

Source:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1894-ANTIQUE-PRINT-PORTRAIT-PRINCESS-ALIX-OF-HESSE-/113807608866

The Royal Bridesmaids, year 1885

Source:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1885-Antique-Print-ROYAL-WEDDING-Bridesmaids-Princess-Irene-Alix-Hesse-198/383559283396?hash=item594dea32c4:g:AOUAAOSw8e5a81cY

Marie Adelaide Belloc's article on Alexandra in "The Woman at Home", year 1895

Source:

The Woman at Home, 1895

https://books.google.com/books?id=RD4hzb6HfacC&pg=PA430&dq=princess+alix+of+hesse&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjT9LbL9pHpAhXKmq0KHfNNCsU4ChC7BTAHegQICBAG#v=onepage&q=princess%20alix%20of%20hesse&f=false

This article about Alexandra was written by Marie Adelaide Bulloc and published in the March 1895 issue of the English women's magazine The Woman at Home, created by Scottish journalist Annie S. Swan.

The article:

THE CZARINA.

HER IMPERIAL MAJESTY THE CZARINA OF RUSSIA.

(PRINCESS ALIX OF HESSE.)

BY MARIE ADELAIDE BELLOC.

IN the Exhibition of portraits of Fair Women lately held in London, one of the most admired modern exhibits was a drawing by Kaulbach, lent by the Queen, representing Princess Alix of Hesse, a sad-eyed, sweet-faced girl, strongly recalling to some of the older visitors to the Grafton Gallery the "Princess Alice" of their youth.

The present Czarina of Russia is tall and slight, with hazel eyes and fair hair; she and her elder sister, the Grand Duchess Serge of Russia, enjoy the privilege of being the prettiest granddaughters of Queen Victoria. After her mother's death the future Empress spent a great deal of her life at Windsor and Osborne, and she is, in education and sentiment, quite as English as many of her English-born cousins; whilst to the Queen she recalls, as none of her sisters has ever done, the late Grand Duchess of Hesse, our Princess Alice, whose deep affection and exceptional intellectual powers were of such help to her mother during the dark days which followed the Prince Consort's death.

THE CZAR.

The Czarina was the fourth daughter and sixth child of the Grand Duke and Duchess of Hesse; she was born at Darmstadt on the 6th of June, 1872, and ten days later her mother wrote to the Queen, "Many thanks for your dear letter, and kind wishes for the birth of our Baby — a nice little thing, like Ella, only smaller and with finer features, though the nose promises to be long .... We think of calling our little girl 'Alix (Alice they pronounce too dreadfully in German) Helena Louisa Beatrice,' and, if Beatrice may, we would much like to have her as godmother."

The infant Princess was christened on the first of July, the anniversary of her parents' wedding day, and to the four names already mentioned by her mother, was added, by the Queen's suggestion, that of Victoria; her sponsors were the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Cesarewitch and Cesarevna, Princess Beatrice, the Duchess of Cambridge, and the Landgravine of Hesse.

THE CZARINA.

During the six brief years which elapsed before Princess Alice's death, there were constant references in her letters to "Aliky." "She is a sweet, merry little person, always laughing, with a deep dimple in one cheek just like Ernie," and then a little later, "She is quite the personification of her nickname 'Sunny,'" wrote the mother.

The Darmstadt Royal nursery was presided over by Mrs. Orchard, an excellent English nurse, who remained Princess Alix's closest attendant for many years after the break up of the happy, united little family group.

For her own sake it is to be hoped that the young Empress cannot remember the weeks which preceded the death of her mother. Then a child of six years old, Princess Alix herself was one of the first in the Grand Ducal household to be taken with the disease — diphtheria — which, after attacking all the children in turn, as well as their father, resulted in the death of little Princess May, to be followed a few days later by that of the tireless nurse and young house mother, Princess Alice herself. Many fine portraits, and a beautiful recumbent monument by Sir Edgar Boehm, representing the Grand Duchess holding Princess May in her arms, remain to keep living in the minds of Princess Alice's younger children the mother they lost so early, and the subject of my sketch is believed in Germany to have always had for her memory a special cult.

After his wife's death, the Grand Duke's ties with his English connections became still closer, and he made a point of spending a portion of each year at Balmoral. As his elder daughters — Victoria, Princess Louis of Battenberg; Elizabeth, Grand Duchess Serge of Russia; Irene, Princess Henry of Prussia — married, Princess Alix became his closest companion and friend; indeed, so attached was the Grand Duke to his youngest child that he could not bear to be separated from her even for a short time, and he always accompanied her when she paid visits to her married sisters.

The Czarina's first governess was an Englishwoman, Miss Jackson, a lady chosen because of her exceptional culture and intelligence; she directed her Royal pupil's studies, and arranged what lessons should be given to her by the professors of the Darmstadt University; she also laid the foundation of that thorough knowledge and love of music which is one of the most distinguishing traits of the new Czarina's character. When her school-room days came to an end, she had as lady-in-waiting and constant companion Fräulein von Fabrice, the daughter of a distinguished German general; this lady accompanied her to Russia, and will remain with her in her new home.

THE CZAR AND CZARINA.

The new Czar's affection for his orphan cousin was known for a long time before their betrothal was formally announced. After the death of the Grand Duke of Hesse, Princess Alix spent a considerable time with her sister the Grand Duchess Serge, to whom she is tenderly attached, and as the latter was by marriage aunt to the Cesarewitch, the two young people had many opportunities of meeting one another. Their formal engagement took place during the wedding festivities of the young Grand Duke Ernest of Hesse and Princess Victoria Melita of Coburg. Queen Victoria, who was at the marriage, as grandmother to both the contracting parties, was the first to be told the news, and to wish the Cesarewitch and her favourite granddaughter joy; on the same day one of the Russian prince's own friends observed to an English acquaintance, "If this marriage ever takes place, your Princess Alice's daughter will have for a husband a kindly, unaffected and well-intentioned if not brilliant young man; he is his father over again, with some of his mother's highly sensitive nature added."

THE CZARINA.

Probably there was no living prince of whom so little was known, and yet who was so often engaged to be married in the imagination of those round him, as the present Czar of Russia. Public rumour assigned him in turn to one of the beautiful Princesses of Montenegro, to Princess Elsa of Wurtemburg, to Princess Hélène of Orleans, to Princess Maud of Wales, and various others of his English cousins, Princess Alix's name, curiously enough, being the one most rarely mentioned in connection with that of her Russian cousin.

It was said, probably with truth, that Princess Alix hesitated for a considerable time before she consented to definitely make up her mind to undertake the heavy duties and harassing life which seem to be a fatal part of each Empress of Russia's existence; and in addition to these considerations there was to the young Princess the even graver one of enforced change of religion. Till lately Lutheran Princesses married to Romanoffs had always to adopt their husbands' faith, Russian names being given to them on their new Orthodox baptisms; this rule was lately relaxed, to the great satisfaction of the German nation, for German Princesses were those most affected. Writing on the matter, the late Princess Alice once observed, "What a good thing! The changing I always thought too bad, and nowadays so intolerant and narrow." Thus knowing her mother's decided views on this subject, it is natural that Princess Alix should have hesitated before consenting to a marriage, of which change of faith was a leading condition, for owing to the Panslavist and intensely Orthodox policy of the late reign, Russia has gone back, at any rate where her Empresses are concerned, to the old system.

THE CZAR AT THE AGE OF SIX.

Still, the following fact should have been, and doubtless was, considered a good omen by the Czarina. Her own sister, the Grand Duchess Serge, favourably impressed with what she saw of the Greek Church, made up her mind, some two years after her marriage, to embrace her husband's religion, and took the opportunity of telling him so during a visit to Jerusalem. Princess Alix had also a good precedent in the Empress Dagmar, who was, it will be remembered, received into the Greek Church on the same day that her solemn betrothal took place in St. Petersburg, and only four days before her marriage was celebrated in the Winter Palace.

The Czar, Nicholas II. strikingly resembles his mother and the Princess of Wales, and bears an almost absurd likeness to his cousin, the Duke of York. He is fair, blue eyed, and well built, though slight in figure; and wears a moustache and rather full whiskers.

THE CZAR WHEN A CHILD.

His childhood was spent in the charming Anitschnoff Palace; but he was only ten years of age when his grandfather, the Czar Nicholas I., was assassinated. The terrible news was told the child without due precaution, and he was so affected by the awful occurrence that for some time his condition gave rise to great anxiety. Fear of the Nihilists, and the knowledge that unknown dangers surround him, have overshadowed the whole of his life, and he is said to have often expressed envy at the ideal existence led by his English and Danish cousins. Those brought into contact with him have noticed the painful effect produced on his nerves by the noise of anything resembling an explosion.

It has often been remarked that a good son makes a good husband. The Czar is devoted to his mother, and when he came back from a long tour in the East — broken, it will be remembered, by an attack on his life made by a Japanese fanatic near Kioto — those who witnessed the meeting between the Czarina and her beloved "Nicky" were profoundly touched by the sight. Speechless with emotion, literally crying with joy, she clung to him, her arms round his neck, audibly thanking God for having allowed him to return safe home.

THE CZAR AT THE AGE OF FIFTEEN.

The little German Grand Duchy has already given three Empresses to Russia, and one of the facts which have contributed to make the present Czar's marriage popular in that great Empire, is the remembrance of the Empress Marie, the mother of the late Czar Alexander III. and the Duchess of Edinburgh, and great-aunt of the present Czarina.

The months which succeeded her engagement were in all respects especially trying to Princess Alix; but the most happy and peaceful days of that period were those spent in England in company with the then Cesarewitch, who delights in nothing so much as in a brief holiday in the land where Nihilism throws no dread shadow, and where, if only as the Princess of Wales' nephew, he is sure of cordial sympathy.

Shortly after the Princess's return to Darmstadt, where she was always a welcome guest in her brother's Grand Ducal Palace, came the first disquieting rumours of Alexander III.'s condition, to be in time followed by a summons to Livadia. The young Princess started without delay, and, after a journey taken in terrible suspense, finally met her betrothed, amid the humble though sincere demonstrations of welcome offered her by her husband's future subjects.

Whilst all Europe was concerning itself with the Princess's marriage, its possible postponement, probable date, and indulging in more or less idle rumours as to her reception into the Greek Church, she herself, following in this as in many other things her mother's example, was proving herself the best of nurses and the most tender of comforters to the dying Czar and his stricken wife, who must indeed have felt that in the matter of their son's marriage they had nothing left to wish for.

The days which followed the late Czar's death are still present to most of us. Princess Alix, although always clothed in pure white, and without any sign of mourning, according to a wish expressed by the newly widowed Czarina, took her full share of the burden of grief crushing the Imperial family. Within a few days of the last act in the sad tragedy enacted at Livadia, the young Czar's betrothed was received into the Greek Church, and given the formal temporary title of Grand Duchess Alexandra Feodorovna.

In his first proclamation to his people Nicholas II. associated himself publicly with his future wife, and it soon became evident, probably for the first and last time in the history of a reigning house, that an Imperial wedding was to follow an Emperor's funeral.

Of the splendid pageant which took place in the Winter Palace, St. Petersburg, on the 26th of last November, two figures must surely in our recollection stand apart and alone from those surrounding them — those of the Empress-bride and the Empress-widow, one life scarce beginning, and an existence practically ended as regards all that makes life worth living, and yet both striving, especially on that strange wedding-day, to put self aside for the sake of their dead and living; surely no more pathetic sight can ever have been witnessed than that of the still youthful Empress Dagmar dressed for the last time in the white and silver which constitutes in Russia the most brilliant of gala costumes; and those of the vast multitudes who had eyes to see and hearts to understand must have felt truly moved when they saw the gently nurtured, newly wedded Czarina driving "home" after the marriage ceremony through the serried ranks of human beings among whom might so easily have lurked a self-constituted tyrannicide.

Nicholas II.'s liberal policy is believed to be greatly owing to the advice and influence of his young Empress; she has become a true Russian at heart, and one of her first actions as Czarina was to examine several schemes having for their object that of assisting the poverty-stricken peasantry in practical ways; and she is once more proving the immense power wielded by those possessing the allied qualities of goodness and intellect.

THE GRAND DUCHESS SERGE OF RUSSIA.

Article on Alexandra in The Canadian Magazine, dated August 1902

Source:

The Czarina in The Queens of Europe by Margaret Sherrington in The Canadian Magazine, issue of August 1902

http://www.canadiana.ca/view/oocihm.8_06251_114/66?r=0&s=1

This article on Alexandra was written as part of the series The Queens of Europe by Margaret Sherrington for the August 1902 issue of The Canadian Magazine.

The article:

IT is a big step from the position of a girlish Princess, of comparatively humble means, and brought up in an essentially quiet, domesticated household in Darmstadt, to that of Empress of Russia, with its heavy responsibilities, dazzling brilliance, wealth, and perils, and it is small wonder that Princess Alix of Hesse hesitated before accepting the suit that, if favoured, would necessarily bring with it the harassing life that is inseparable from the exalted position of a Czarina.

Although Nicholas II was only heir-apparent when he wooed Princess Alix, it was an Emperor, not a Czarewitch, that she wedded, his accession taking place a few months after his engagement.

The Czarina is the youngest child of the late Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Hesse, the Duchess being, of course, the ever-lamented Princess Alice of England, whose beautiful character the Czarina inherits in a marked degree.

Perhaps no Princess in modern history has known the pinch of poverty so well as did Princess Alice, whose pathetic letters tell many a tale of economy and contrivance practised. It is easy to believe, therefore, that the Czarina's youth was passed in the most frugal home, and that she led the quiet life of the ordinary German or English girl of the middle-class. A shilling a week was all that she was allowed for pocket-money until after her confirmation, when the allowance was doubled. She was brought up more after the fashion of an English girl than a German girl. Her nurse, Mrs. Orchard, was English, and she also had an English governess, Miss Jackson.

Princess Alix combined the true English love of outdoor sports and pastimes with the musical talent of the German nation, and early developed a gift for art in various forms, being particularly clever with her pencil and brush. At the same time she was instructed in many of the domestic arts, such as cooking, cake-making, plain and fancy sewing, and used to execute the most delicate embroideries. She was born at Darmstadt on June 6, 1872.

Princess Alice made frequent allusions to her youngest daughter in after-letters — “Alicky,” she used to call her. “She is a sweet, merry little person,” she once wrote, “always laughing, and with a deep dimple in one cheek, just like Ernie.” [the present Grand Duke of Hesse]. And on another occasion Princess Alice remarked: “She is quite the personification of her nickname, ‘Sunny.’” The little Princess was so bright and joyous that she was called “Princess Sonnenschein.”

Princess Alix was only six years old when she lost her mother, and, as her elder sisters grew up and married, she became more and more the companion of her father. When he died she stayed a good deal with her sisters, and at the house of the Grand Serge she was thrown into the company of the present Czar, then the Czarewitch. He had been fond of Princess Alix for years. Indeed, it is said that his affection for her dated back to the time when she was a child of twelve, and they met at the Grand Duchess Serge's wedding.

The late Czar, it seems, favoured one of the Montenegrin princesses as a future Empress of Russia, and when he found the Czarewitch was setting his affections in another direction he sent him on a tour round the world, in the hope that fresh scenes would bring fresh thoughts.

But the Czarewitch was not to be turned from his purpose, and on returning to Russia won over the Grand Duchess Serge and the Duchess of Saxe Coburg-Gotha to plead his cause with the Czar and Queen Victoria, who eventually gave their consent to the engagement. The Queen had never been an actual opponent of the marriage, but Princess Alix was delicate and young, and the perils of a Russian throne were great, and for these reasons Her Majesty would have preferred that her granddaughter, of whom she was extremely fond, should have chosen a life of less anxiety.

HER MAJESTY THE CZARINA

Another grave reason for objection was the change of religion that such a marriage would involve on the bride's part, and this weighed heavily with Princess Alix herself, and made her waver over and over again in her decision. She clung to the Evangelical faith in which she had been brought up, while an Empress of Russia must necessarily embrace the Greek Orthodox Church. However, heart ultimately prevailed — for the marriage was purely an affaire du cœur on both sides.

Before starting for the Coburg festivities the Czarewitch said to his parents: “I am determined at last to receive an answer from her lips.”

Princess Alix was won, but it is stated that earnest discussions took place between the lovers on the subject of conversion before the engagement was announced.

Even then religious scruples began to trouble her later, and it seemed almost doubtful if the marriage would really take place. But the Czarewitch was so earnest and persistent, and Princess Alix was so fond of him, that her hesitation was finally overcome. Then she devoted herself to a close study of the Russian language.

Shortly after this came disturbing rumours about the health of the Czar Alexander III, to be followed soon afterwards by Princess Alix's departure for Livadia, where she helped the sorrowful Empress to nurse the dying monarch, and, at his wish, consented that the betrothal ceremony should be carried out without delay.

On being received into the Greek Church, Princess Alix was given the title of Grand Duchess Alexandra Feodorovna. This was one of the most trying periods in the young girl's life, and she won the sympathy of everybody for the peculiarly sad circumstances in which she was placed. At a time that should be, under ordinary circumstances, one of exceptional happiness, the young Princess and her affianced husband were overshadowed by a great sorrow, which naturally robbed their wedding of much of its brilliance. Added to this was the ordeal that Princess Alix was compelled to undergo of her change of religion, to say nothing of her change of position, of parting with old friends, leaving her own country, and taking up life in a comparatively strange land, and among people of whose ways she had yet to learn. Much is expected of an Empress, and the young Princess's task was no light one.

The Emperor Alexander was dead, and the wedding of the new Emperor was, in consequence, celebrated very quietly. It took place in the Winter Palace, St. Petersburg, on November 26th, 1894, not a month after the Czar Alexander's death. The Czarina was twenty-two, the Czar twenty-six, at the time of their marriage.

How wise was the Czar's choice of a Consort has been proved time after time since the wedding. The Czarina is a woman of cool judgement and great power in discerning character. She thinks before she acts, and her advice is always so good and so well-balanced that in her the Czar has found a true helpmate in every sense of the word. She takes life very seriously — as, indeed, who in her place would not? — but she is invariably cheerful and amiable, willing to listen to other people's troubles, and is of the most unselfish character. She is rather above than below medium height, has beautiful regular features, and shares with her sister, the Grand Duchess Serge, the reputation of being one of the loveliest of Queen Victoria's grandchildren. She appears to have completely outgrown her delicacy, and has also lost the slight, fragile appearance that distinguished her as a girl. Her expression is somewhat pensive but very sweet, and there is about her an air of quiet dignity that well becomes her position without in the least bordering on coldness. She has borne on her shoulders the weight of her position in a marvellously cool and confident manner, and it is not too much to say that many of the Czar's best-judged actions have originated from his beautiful Consort.

One of the Czarina's most earnest endeavours has been to ameliorate the lot of the poorer classes of women, and for this purpose she has made herself au fait with the Poor Laws of the country, and has been the means of doing much good.

Perhaps the happiest hours of the Empress's life are those spent in the nursery with her four sweet little daughters, the Grand Duchesses Olga, Tatiana, Anastasia, and Marie. The nation has been disappointed that the Czar has no son, but the Emperor and Empress themselves love their little daughters just as dearly as if they had been heirs to the Crown, though, no doubt, they too would like to secure the throne for a child of their own. On the birth of the Grand Duchess Olga the Czar is reported to have said that he was glad the child was a girl, “because,” said he, “had our child been a boy he would have belonged to the people; being a girl, she belongs to us.” This little girl bears a strong resemblance to her mother, while her sister Tatiana is totally different in lineament, and is more like the Czar.

One of the most beautiful of the Royal country palaces is that of Peterhof, in the grounds of which are innumerable waterfalls and fountains. The Czarskoë Seloe is another perfect palace, where the Czar and his family spend the summer months.

The Czarina, although surrounded with the most luxurious homes of any European Queen, remains perfectly simple in her tastes. She used to be almost Puritanical in her love of simplicity so far as it affects dress, and it was with the utmost difficulty that she could be persuaded to choose a trousseau befitting an Empress of Russia. Even now she despises over-elaborateness in dress; and although her own wardrobe is necessarily carried out on a magnificent scale, she sets no extravagant fashions to those about her.

Description of Alexandra in Lady's Realm magazine, year 1909

Source:

How Princesses Are Trained For Their Position, in Lady's Realm magazine, year 1909

https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.a0004087284&view=1up&seq=330

The description:

Turning to Russia, we find there an Empress who, herself the daughter of an English Princess, was educated almost entirely in Germany, the curriculum imparted being perhaps the best of the joint countries. Her mother, the Princess Alice, had a very natural leaning to English methods, but the little Court at Darmstadt was essentially German — its formula rigid in the extreme. The young Tsaritsa emerged from the ordeal brilliantly clever and accomplished, very serious minded, and eminently fitted indeed for the singularly exalted position which she was called upon to fill directly after her marriage. She is the Empress of a hundred millions, but lives modestly amongst the splendours of a Court of almost barbaric splendour. ...

(photo courtesy of Ilya Grigoryev at lastromanovs on VK)

Photo of Alexandra and her children in Lady's Realm magazine, year 1909

Source:

How Princesses Are Trained For Their Position, in Lady's Realm magazine, year 1909

https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.a0004087284&view=1up&seq=325

The caption:

The Czarina gives her little daughters instruction in all kinds of outdoor exercise.

Lithograph of Alix, year 1895

Source:

https://research.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details.aspx?objectId=3468688&page=2&partId=1&peoA=159246-1-6&people=159246&sortBy=fromDateDesc

Printed in the French language German annual magazine Almanach de Gotha, 1895.

Nicholas and Alexandra on magazine cover, year 1894

Source:

https://research.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details.aspx?objectId=3467652&partId=1

Printed in the British news magazine The St. James's Budget, issue 750, volume 29, published on November 9, 1894.

Nicholas and Alexandra in Danish news magazine, year 1896

Source:

Illustreret Tidende, issue of May 31, 1896

http://img.kb.dk/iti/37/pdf/iti_37_0569.pdf

(photo courtesy of TatianaZ on Flickr)

The caption:

KEJSER NICOLAJ II OG KEJSERINDE ALEXANDRA FEODOROWNA AF RUSLAND.

English translation (my own):

EMPEROR NICHOLAS II AND EMPRESS ALEXANDRA FEODOROVNA OF RUSSIA.

Nicholas and Alexandra in the Danish news, year 1894

Source:

Illustreret Tidende, issue of November 11, 1894

http://img.kb.dk/iti/45/pdf/iti_45_0825.pdf

The caption:

Kejser Nicolaj den Anden og Storfyrstinde Alexandra Feodorowna.

English translation (my own):

Emperor Nicholas II and Grand Duchess Alexandra Feodorovna.

Danish news report in Illustreret Tidende on Alexei's birth, dated August 21, 1904

Source:

Illustreret Tidende, issue of August 21, 1904

http://img.kb.dk/iti/45/pdf/iti_45_0825.pdf

This report was published in the Danish news magazine Illustreret Tidende on August 21, 1904. It used a photo taken after Anastasia's birth in 1901, as no photos had yet been taken of Alexei.

The article:

RUSLANDS TRONARVING

DEN 13. AUGUST om Formiddagen forkyndte 101 Kanonskud Petersborgerne, at Kejserfamiljens og Ruslands Haab denne Gang ikke var blevet skuffet. Kejserinden var nedkommet med en Søn, der i Daaben fik Navnet Alexis.

Hele Rusland over vakte Budskabet Jubel. Efter at Kejserinden havde født fire Døttre, var Troen paa, at der denne Gang skulde skænkes Rusland en Tronarving, ikke overvældende stærk, og endnu en Datter vilde hos mangfoldige have nedbrudt Tilliden til, at der igen kunde oprinde lyse Tider for det Land, der i den seneste Tid har været saa stærkt hjemsøgt af Ulykker af forskjellig Art. Det berettes, at Czaren, da han erfarede det længe ventede Budskab, udbrød, at det betød mere end Meldingen om en stor Sejr. Udtrykket er vel lidt farvet af Faderens personlige og forstaaelige Følelser, men det rammer i det væsenlige det rigtige. Gang paa Gang er Rusland blevet skuffet og rokket i sin Tillid. Den revolutionære Bevægelse, som man en Tid lang troede død, viste sig endnu at have Livskraft nok til at give sig Udslag i blodige Attentater paa fremragende Statsmænd; Siipjagin, Bobrikoff, Plehve og mange flere maatte med deres Liv bøde for deres Politik. Og Krigen, i hvilken den vældige russiske Kolos mentes at have det letteste Overtag over det forholdsvis lille japanske Ørige, bød hidtil kun paa Skuffelser og Nederlag, for hvilke Oprejsningens Time endnu ikke kan skimtes. Der maatte komme et Lyspunkt, om ikke Modet helt skulde synke og ydre og indre Fjender hovere.

Lyspunktet er Tronarvingens Fødsel, der har blevet fejret med Glædesfester hele Landet over. Det var dog endelig et Tegn paa at Russernes Gud ikke helt havde forladt sit Folk. Nu maatte nye og gode Tider rinde op, ikke alene for Kejserfamiljen men for det hele Land, en ny Æra begynde!

Hvorvidt Haabet ikke vil blive beskæmmet, og om Begivenheden vil have den forønskede Indvirkning paa andre vigtige Begivenheder, specielt dem i Østasien, faar foreløbig staa hen. Endnu har Kejserprinsen kun levet en Uge, og det kan vel ikke forlanges, at der i Løbet af saa kort Tid skal ske Mirakler; de allersidste Begivenheder paa Krigskuepladsen synes jo i hvert ikke at tyde paa, at deres Tid endnu er inde.

Men det kan jo komme, og ingen rettroende Russer tvivler derom.

English translation (my own):

RUSSIA'S HEIR TO THE THRONE

On August 13 at noon, 101 gunshots told the citizens of St. Petersburg that the hopes of the imperial family and Russia had not been disappointed this time. The Empress had descended with a son who, at his baptism, was named Alexis.

All over Russia, the message aroused cheer. After the Empress gave birth to four daughters, the belief that this time Russia was to be granted an heir to the throne was not overwhelmingly strong, and yet another daughter would have broken the confidence of many that bright times could again arise for the country that in recent times has been so much haunted by misfortunes of various kinds. It is said that when he received the long-awaited message, the Tsar exclaimed that it meant more than the announcement of a great victory. The expression is a little coloured by the father's personal and understandable feelings, but it essentially strikes the right thing. Time and time again, Russia has been disappointed and rocked in its confidence. The revolutionary movement, believed to have been dead for a long time, proved yet to have vitality enough to give rise to bloody assaults on outstanding statesmen; Sipyagin, Bobrikov, Plehve and many more had to pay for their politics with their lives. And the war, in which the mighty Russian colossus was supposed to have the easiest takeover over the relatively small Japanese island nation, so far only offered disappointments and defeats, for which the hour of the uprising cannot yet be glimpsed. There had to be a bright spot if courage were not to sink completely and foreign and domestic enemies were celebrating.

The bright spot is the birth of the heir to the throne, which has been celebrated with celebrations all over the country. However, it was finally a sign that the Russian God had not completely abandoned his people. Now new and good times had to come, not only for the imperial family, but for the whole country, a new era began!

Whether the hope will not be shattered and whether the event will have the desired impact on other important events, especially those in East Asia, will be tentative. Yet the imperial prince has only lived for a week, and miracles cannot be required in such a short time; after all, the very last events on the scene of the war seem not to indicate that their time is yet to come.

But it can come, and no faithful Russians doubt it.

Swedish magazine article on Alix, year 1894

Source:

Rysslands blifvande kejsarinna, page 358 in Idun magazine, issue of November 2, 1894

https://gupea.ub.gu.se/bitstream/2077/49431/1/gupea_2077_49431_1.pdf

This short article on Alix was published in the Swedish women's magazine Idun on November 2, 1894. It erroneously reports the year of her mother and sister's deaths as 1877 rather than 1878.

The article:

Rysslands blifvande kejsarinna.

I dessa dagar samlar sig hela den bildade världens intresse kring tilldragelserna vid det ryska kejsarhofvet, där den för kort tid sedan ännu så kraftfulle »själfhärskaren öfver alla ryssar» nu, bruten af obotlig sjukdom, räknar dagarne och timmarne mot sitt slut. Genom de dystra underrättelserna från tsarens sjukbädd ställes också ett tronskifte i nära framtidsperspektiv, och den unge storfursten-tronföljaren Nikolaus Alexandrowitsch samt hans trolofvade, prinsessan Alix af Hessen, skjutas i förgrunden. Deras förmälning lär nu vara utsatt att försiggå den 9 november, och vi ha trott att Iduns läsarinnor med intresse skulle mottaga bilden af den unga kvinna, som kanske inom få veckor är det mäktiga världsrikets härskarinna.

Prinsessan Alix' trolofning med ryske tsarens äldste son firades den 21 sistlidne april i Koburg i samband med hennes broders, storhertig Ernst Ludvig af Hessen, förmälning med prisessan Victoria af Sachsen-Koburg Gotha. Prisessan Alix såg dagens ljus den 6 juni 1872 i Darmstadt, och hon är fjärde dotter af prins Ludvig, sedermera storhertig Ludvig IV af Hessen, och hans gemål Alice, född prinsessa af Storbritanien och Irland. Hennes fullständiga dopnamn är Alix Victoria Helena Luise Beatrix.

Prinsessan växte upp, frisk och kraftig, och utvecklade sig lyckligt, så väl kroppsligen som andligen. Kännetecknande för det intryck, hon gjorde redan som barn, är det binamn, som gafs henne: »solskenet». Hon var sex år gammel, då hon lifsfarligt insjuknade i difteri; samtidigt sjuknade ock hennes föräldrar och syskon. I november 1877 dog hennes yngsta lilla syster och strax före jul hennes egen kära moder, storhertiginnan Alice, som vid vården af sina sjuka barn och sin allvarsamt hotade make själf drabbats af smittan. Prinsessan Alix tillfrisknade emellertid jämte de öfriga och bildade de följande åren efter sin konfirmation medelpunkten i det furstliga familjelifvet, sedan hennes tre äldre systrar gift sig. Efter faderns död blef hon den bästa rådgifvarinna för sin unge bror, den nuvarande storhertig Ernst Ludvig. Prinsessan Alix är nu 22 år och en lika finbildad som karaktärsfast och genom hjärtats älskvärda egenskaper utmärkt kvinna.

English translation (my own):

Russia's future empress.

These days, the entire world's interest is gathered around the events of the Russian Emperor's court, where recently the so powerful "ruler over all Russians" now, broken by incurable disease, counts the days and hours to his end. The bleak news from the Tsar's sickbed also gives a change of faith in the near future, and the young Grand Duke and heir to the throne, Nicholas Alexandrovich, and his bride-to-be, Princess Alix of Hesse, are pushed to the foreground. Their wedding will now be postponed to take place on November 9, and we have believed that Idun's readership with interest would receive the image of the young woman, who, within a few weeks, may be the mighty mistress of the empire.

Princess Alix's engagement with the Russian Tsar's eldest son was celebrated on the 21st of last April in Coburg at the same time as that of her brother, Grand Duke Ernst Ludwig of Hesse, with Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. Princess Alix saw the light of day on June 6, 1872 in Darmstadt, and she is the fourth daughter of Prince Ludwig, later Grand Duke Ludvig IV of Hesse, and his consort Alice, born Princess of Great Britain and Ireland. Her full name is Alix Victoria Helena Louise Beatrice.

The princess grew up, healthy and strong, and developed happily, both physically and spiritually. Characteristic of the impression she already made as a child is the nickname that was given to her: "Sunny". She was six years old when she fell mortally ill with diphtheria; at the same time, her parents and siblings also fell ill. In November 1877, her youngest little sister died and just before Christmas her own dear mother, Grand Duchess Alice, who, whilst caring for her sick children and her severely threatened husband, herself suffered the infection. However, Princess Alix recovered with the rest, and in the following years, after her confirmation, became the center of the princely family's life since her three older sisters got married. After her father's death, she became the best counselor for her young brother, the current Grand Duke Ernst Ludwig. Princess Alix is ​​now 22 years of age and is finely formed in character trait and as an excellent woman of the heart through her lovely qualities.

Dutch magazine article on the Romanov tercentenary celebrations, year 1913

Source:

janwillemsen on Flickr

https://www.flickr.com/photos/8725928@N02/9765546054/in/album-72157617431928065/

Photos published in the Dutch magazine De Prins in 1913.

The captions:

De Russische Czaren-familie te Moskou ter gelegenheid van het 300-jarig Regeeringsjubileum van het Huis Romanow.

In ons nummer van 8 Maart zijn eenige afbeeldingen en portretten geplaatst, die betrekking hadden op laatstgenoemd vorstenhuis.

De Czaar heeft nu onderscheidene historischbelangrijke plaatsen in zijn rijk bezocht en zijn tournee besloten met een bezoek aan Moskou, de aloude hoofdstad van Rusland en tevens de tweede Keizerlijke residentie.

Op de foto boven ziet men Czaar Nicolaas, de Czarina, alsmede de bijna 9-jarigen Czarewitch, die door een officier op de armen gedragen wordt; dit is de eerste foto, die van den jeugdigen troonopvolger genomen is nà zijn ziekte, waarover zooveel geschreven en gesproken is en waarvan hij nog niet geheel hersteld schijnt te zijn.

De opname werd gedaan éven voor den aanvang van den eeredienst in het wereldberoemde Kremlin, het grootsche symbool van Ruslands klimmende macht en grootheid.

De foto rechts geeft te zien de Czaar met zijn vier dochters Olga (17 j.), Tatiana (16 j.), Maria (14 j.) en Anastasia (12 j.), die het Keizerlijk Echtpaar begeleid hebben.

English translation (my own):

The Russian Imperial Family in Moscow on the occasion of the 300th anniversary of the House of Romanov.

In our issue of 8 March, a number of images and portraits were placed that related to the latter royal family.

The Tsar has now visited several historically important places in his empire and concluded his tour with a visit to Moscow, the ancient capital of Russia and also the second Imperial residence.

The above photo shows Tsar Nicholas, the Tsarina, as well as the almost 9-year-old Tsarevich, who is carried in the arms of an officer; this is the first photograph taken of the young heir to the throne after his illness, about which so much has been written and spoken and from which he seems not to have recovered completely.

The record was made just before the commencement of worship in the world-famous Kremlin, the grand symbol of Russia's climbing power and greatness.

The photo on the right shows the Tsar with his four daughters Olga (17 years old), Tatiana (16 years old), Maria (14 years old) and Anastasia (12 years old), who accompanied the Imperial Couple.

Alexandra with family and men, year 1906

Source:

janwillemsen on Flickr

https://www.flickr.com/photos/8725928@N02/6408215113/in/album-72157617431928065/

Photo printed in a Dutch magazine in 1906.

The caption:

Het laatste portret van den Tsaar, zijn vrouw, kinderen en getrouwen.

English translation (my own):

The latest portrait of the Tsar, his wife, children and loyal men.

Part of a magazine article mentioning Alexandra, year 1902

Alexandra was featured in this article, Hobbies of the Queens of Europe, written for the Lady's Realm magazine in 1902.

Source:

Lady's Realm: An Illustrated Monthly Magazine, Volume 12, 1902, article Hobbies of the Queens of Europe

https://books.google.com/books?id=PbIaAQAAMAAJ&pg=PR3&lpg=PR3&dq=%E2%80%9CHobbies+of+the+Queens+of+Europe,%E2%80%9D+Lady%E2%80%99s+Realm+Magazine,+1902&source=bl&ots=1FgW40T_Jx&sig=ACfU3U3v4WcBh6fKSqjdYKDVl6UMrENFgA&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj-i5Oji9vmAhXQHM0KHeU6C8wQ6AEwAHoECAoQAQ#v=onepage&q=%E2%80%9CHobbies%20of%20the%20Queens%20of%20Europe%2C%E2%80%9D%20Lady%E2%80%99s%20Realm%20Magazine%2C%201902&f=false

The article excerpt:

A great deal has been written about the young Empress of Russia, and opinions about her are very divided. At present very little is known of her real character, except that she is a devoted wife and mother and somewhat reserved to the outside world. Her Majesty has many pleasures in her private life, most of which are shared by her husband. Her hobby may be said to be caricaturing and collecting caricatures — a taste not without its dangers, especially when indulged in by one so high a station as that of Her Majesty. The Empress is a very clever mimic, and she has the ready talent of catching a likeness and transmitting it to paper, so that even those who are most caricatured cannot but laugh at the good-natured way in which their peculiarities are taken off.

It is not everyone who is allowed to peep into the portfolio of the Tzaretza. The Tzar finds this talent of his wife an unfailing amusement; and he himself is not exempted, for the Empress has done many a funny sketch of her lord and master, and has managed to hit off certain characteristics of his in a very clever manner.

Alexandra Feodorowna is, as I have already said, an unknown quantity; but she renders the home-life of her husband very happy, and is devoted to her four little daughters. Without being a talented musician, she is very fond of music, and has a sweet voice. In conversation her tone of voice is peculiar, though not unpleasant; but there is a little break in the voice at times which is unusual and which many people say is an indication of hidden characteristics which will later surprise the world.

Above: Alexandra. Photo courtesy of TatianaZ on Flickr.