Nicholas II Alexandrovich
Years of life: 1868 - 1918
Years of reign: 1894 - 1917

Nicholas II Alexandrovich born May 6 (18 old style) 1868 in Tsarskoye Selo. Russian Emperor, who reigned from October 21 (November 1), 1894 to March 2 (March 15), 1917. Belonged to Romanov dynasty, was the son and successor of Alexander III.

Nikolai Alexandrovich from birth he had the title - His Imperial Highness the Grand Duke. In 1881, he received the title of Heir to Tsarevich, after the death of his grandfather, Emperor Alexander II.

Full title Nicholas II as Emperor from 1894 to 1917: “By God's favor, We, Nicholas II (Church Slavic form in some manifestos - Nicholas II), Emperor and Autocrat of All Russia, Moscow, Kiev, Vladimir, Novgorod; Tsar of Kazan, Tsar of Astrakhan, Tsar of Poland, Tsar of Siberia, Tsar of Chersonese Tauride, Tsar of Georgia; Sovereign of Pskov and Grand Duke of Smolensk, Lithuania, Volyn, Podolsk and Finland; Prince of Estland, Livonia, Courland and Semigal, Samogit, Bialystok, Korel, Tver, Yugorsk, Perm, Vyatka, Bulgarian and others; Sovereign and Grand Duke of Novagorod of the Nizovsky lands, Chernigov, Ryazan, Polotsk, Rostov, Yaroslavl, Belozersky, Udora, Obdorsky, Kondiysky, Vitebsk, Mstislavsky and all northern countries Sovereign; and Sovereign of Iversk, Kartalinsky and Kabardian lands and regions of Armenia; Cherkasy and Mountain Princes and other Hereditary Sovereign and Possessor, Sovereign of Turkestan; Heir of Norway, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein, Stormarn, Ditmarsen and Oldenburg, and so on, and so on, and so on.”

The peak of Russia's economic development and at the same time the growth of the revolutionary movement, which resulted in the revolutions of 1905-1907 and 1917, occurred precisely during the reign of Nicholas II. Foreign policy at that time was aimed at Russia's participation in blocs of European powers, the contradictions that arose between them became one of the reasons for the outbreak of the war with Japan and World War I.

After the events February Revolution 1917 Nicholas II abdicated the throne, and a period of civil war soon began in Russia. The Provisional Government sent Nicholas to Siberia, then to the Urals. He and his family were shot in Yekaterinburg in 1918.

Contemporaries and historians characterize the personality of Nicholas in contradictory ways; Most of them believed that his strategic abilities in the conduct of public affairs were not successful enough to change the political situation at that time for the better.

After the revolution of 1917 it began to be called Nikolai Alexandrovich Romanov(before this, the surname “Romanov” was not indicated by members of the imperial family; the titles indicated the family affiliation: emperor, empress, grand duke, crown prince).

With the nickname Nicholas the Bloody, which was given to him by the opposition, he figured in Soviet historiography.

Nicholas II was the eldest son of Empress Maria Feodorovna and Emperor Alexander III.

In 1885-1890 Nikolay received his home education as part of a gymnasium course under a special program that combined the course of the Academy of the General Staff and the Faculty of Law of the University. Training and education took place under the personal supervision of Alexander the Third with a traditional religious basis.

Nicholas II Most often he lived with his family in the Alexander Palace. And he preferred to relax in the Livadia Palace in Crimea. For annual trips Baltic Sea and Finnish had at his disposal the yacht “Standart”.

From 9 years old Nikolay started keeping a diary. The archive contains 50 thick notebooks for the years 1882-1918. Some of them have been published.

The Emperor was fond of photography and liked watching movies. I read both serious works, especially on historical topics, and entertaining literature. I smoked cigarettes with tobacco specially grown in Turkey (a gift from the Turkish Sultan).

On November 14, 1894, a milestone took place in Nikolai’s life significant event- marriage with the German princess Alice of Hesse, who after the baptism ceremony took the name Alexandra Feodorovna. They had 4 daughters - Olga (November 3, 1895), Tatyana (May 29, 1897), Maria (June 14, 1899) and Anastasia (June 5, 1901). And the long-awaited fifth child became on July 30 (August 12), 1904 The only son- Tsarevich Alexei.

May 14 (26), 1896 took place coronation of Nicholas II. In 1896, he toured Europe, where he met with Queen Victoria (his wife's grandmother), William II, and Franz Joseph. The final stage of the trip was Nicholas II’s visit to the capital of the allied France.

His first personnel changes were the dismissal of the Governor-General of the Kingdom of Poland Gurko I.V. and the appointment of A.B. Lobanov-Rostovsky as Minister of Foreign Affairs.

And the first big one international action Nicholas II became the so-called Triple Intervention.

Having made huge concessions to the opposition at the beginning Russo-Japanese War Nicholas II made an attempt to unite Russian society against external enemies.

In the summer of 1916, after the situation at the front had stabilized, the Duma opposition united with the general conspirators and decided to take advantage of the created situation to overthrow Emperor Nicholas II.

They even named the date February 12-13, 1917, as the day the emperor abdicated the throne. It was said that a “great act” would take place - the Emperor would abdicate the throne, and the heir, Tsarevich Alexei Nikolaevich, would be appointed as the future emperor, and Grand Duke Mikhail Alexandrovich would become the regent.

In Petrograd, on February 23, 1917, a strike began, which became general three days later. On the morning of February 27, 1917, soldier uprisings took place in Petrograd and Moscow, as well as their unification with the strikers.

The situation became tense after the proclamation of the manifesto Nicholas II February 25, 1917 on the termination of the meeting of the State Duma.

On February 26, 1917, the Tsar gave an order to General Khabalov “to stop the unrest, which is unacceptable in difficult times of war.” General N.I. Ivanov was sent on February 27 to Petrograd to suppress the uprising.

Nicholas II On the evening of February 28, he headed to Tsarskoe Selo, but was unable to get through and, due to the loss of contact with Headquarters, he arrived in Pskov on March 1, where the headquarters of the armies of the Northern Front under the leadership of General Ruzsky was located.

At about three o'clock in the afternoon, the emperor decided to abdicate the throne in favor of the crown prince under the regency of Grand Duke Mikhail Alexandrovich, and in the evening of the same day Nikolai announced to V.V. Shulgin and A.I. Guchkov about the decision to abdicate the throne for his son. March 2, 1917 at 11:40 p.m. Nicholas II handed over to Guchkov A.I. Manifesto of renunciation, where he wrote: “We command our brother to rule over the affairs of the state in complete and inviolable unity with the representatives of the people.”

Nikolay Romanov with his family from March 9 to August 14, 1917 he lived under arrest in the Alexander Palace in Tsarskoe Selo.

In connection with the strengthening of the revolutionary movement in Petrograd, the Provisional Government decided to transfer the royal prisoners deep into Russia, fearing for their lives. After much debate, Tobolsk was chosen as the city of settlement for the former emperor and his family. They were allowed to take personal belongings and necessary furniture with them and offer service personnel to voluntarily accompany them to the place of their new settlement.

On the eve of his departure, A.F. Kerensky (head of the Provisional Government) brought the brother of the former tsar, Mikhail Alexandrovich. Mikhail was soon exiled to Perm and on the night of June 13, 1918 he was killed by the Bolshevik authorities.

On August 14, 1917, a train departed from Tsarskoe Selo under the sign “Japanese Red Cross Mission” with members of the former imperial family. He was accompanied by a second squad, which included guards (7 officers, 337 soldiers).

The trains arrived in Tyumen on August 17, 1917, after which those arrested were taken to Tobolsk on three ships. The Romanov family settled in the governor's house, which was specially renovated for their arrival. They were allowed to attend services at the local Church of the Annunciation. The protection regime for the Romanov family in Tobolsk was much easier than that in Tsarskoye Selo. The family led a measured, calm life.

Permission from the Presidium of the All-Russian Central Executive Committee of the fourth convocation to transfer Romanov and members of his family to Moscow for the purpose of trial was received in April 1918.

On April 22, 1918, a column with machine guns of 150 people left Tobolsk for Tyumen. On April 30, the train arrived in Yekaterinburg from Tyumen. To house the Romanov family, a house that belonged to mining engineer Ipatiev was requisitioned. The family's staff also lived in the same house: cook Kharitonov, doctor Botkin, room girl Demidova, footman Trupp and cook Sednev.

To resolve the issue of the future fate of the imperial family, at the beginning of July 1918, military commissar F. Goloshchekin urgently left for Moscow. The All-Russian Central Executive Committee and the Council of People's Commissars authorized the execution of all members of the Romanov family. After this, on July 12, 1918, based on decision taken At a meeting, the Ural Council of Workers', Peasants' and Soldiers' Deputies decided to execute the royal family.

On the night of July 16-17, 1918 in Yekaterinburg, in the Ipatiev mansion, the so-called “House of Special Purpose,” the former Emperor of Russia was shot Nicholas II, Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, their children, Doctor Botkin and three servants (except for the cook).

The personal property of the former royal Romanov family was plundered.

Nicholas II and members of his family were canonized by the Catacomb Church in 1928.

In 1981, Nicholas was canonized by the Orthodox Church abroad, and in Russia the Orthodox Church canonized him as a passion-bearer only 19 years later, in 2000.

Icon of St. royal passion-bearers.

In accordance with the decision of August 20, 2000 of the Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Nicholas II, Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, princesses Maria, Anastasia, Olga, Tatiana, Tsarevich Alexei were canonized as holy new martyrs and confessors of Russia, revealed and unmanifested.

This decision was received ambiguously by society and was criticized. Some opponents of canonization believe that attribution Nicholas II sainthood is most likely of a political nature.

The result of all the events related to the fate of the former royal family was the appeal of Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna Romanova, head of the Russian Imperial House in Madrid, to the Prosecutor General's Office of the Russian Federation in December 2005, demanding the rehabilitation of the royal family, executed in 1918.

October 1, 2008 Presidium Supreme Court The Russian Federation (Russian Federation) decided to recognize the last Russian emperor Nicholas II and members of the royal family victims of illegal political repression and rehabilitated them.

"Angel Alexander"

The second child of Grand Duke Alexander Alexandrovich and Maria Feodorovna was Alexander. He, alas, died in infancy from meningitis. The death of “angel Alexander” after a fleeting illness was deeply experienced by his parents, judging by their diaries. For Maria Fedorovna, the death of her son was the first loss of relatives in her life. Meanwhile, fate had prepared for her to outlive all her sons.

Alexander Alexandrovich. The only (post-mortem) photograph

Handsome Georgy

For some time, the heir of Nicholas II was his younger brother George

As a child, Georgiy was healthier and stronger than his older brother Nikolai. He grew up to be a tall, handsome, cheerful child. Despite the fact that George was his mother's favorite, he, like the other brothers, was brought up in Spartan conditions. The children slept on army beds, got up at 6 o'clock and took a cold bath. For breakfast, they were usually served porridge and black bread; for lunch, lamb cutlets and roast beef with peas and baked potatoes. The children had at their disposal a living room, a dining room, a playroom and a bedroom, furnished with the simplest furniture. Only the icon, decorated with precious stones and pearls, was rich. The family lived mainly in the Gatchina Palace.

Family of Emperor Alexander III (1892). From right to left: Georgy, Ksenia, Olga, Alexander III, Nikolai, Maria Fedorovna, Mikhail

George was destined for a career in the navy, but then the Grand Duke fell ill with tuberculosis. Since the 1890s, George, who became crown prince in 1894 (Nicholas did not yet have an heir), lives in the Caucasus, in Georgia. Doctors even forbade him to go to St. Petersburg for his father’s funeral (although he was present at his father’s death in Livadia). George's only joy was visits from his mother. In 1895, they traveled together to visit relatives in Denmark. There he had another attack. Georgiy was bedridden for a long time until he finally felt better and returned to Abastumani.

Grand Duke Georgy Alexandrovich at his desk. Abastumani. 1890s

In the summer of 1899, Georgy was traveling from the Zekar Pass to Abastumani on a motorcycle. Suddenly his throat started bleeding, he stopped and fell to the ground. On June 28, 1899, Georgy Alexandrovich died. The section revealed: extreme degree of exhaustion, chronic tuberculous process in the period of cavernous decay, cor pulmonale (right ventricular hypertrophy), interstitial nephritis. The news of George's death was a heavy blow for the entire imperial family and especially for Maria Feodorovna.

Ksenia Alexandrovna

Ksenia was her mother’s favorite, and even looked like her. Her first and only love was Grand Duke Alexander Mikhailovich (Sandro), who was friends with her brothers and often visited Gatchina. Ksenia Alexandrovna was “crazy” about the tall, slender brunette, believing that he was the best in the world. She kept her love a secret, telling about it only to her older brother, the future Emperor Nicholas II, Sandro’s friend. Ksenia was Alexander Mikhailovich’s cousin. They married on July 25, 1894, and she bore him a daughter and six sons during the first 13 years of their marriage.

Alexander Mikhailovich and Ksenia Alexandrovna, 1894

When traveling abroad with her husband, Ksenia visited with him all those places that could be considered “not quite decent” for the Tsar’s daughter, and even tried her luck at the gaming table in Monte Carlo. However, the married life of the Grand Duchess did not work out. My husband has new hobbies. Despite seven children, the marriage actually broke up. But Ksenia Alexandrovna did not agree to a divorce from the Grand Duke. Despite everything, she managed to preserve her love for the father of her children until the end of her days and sincerely experienced his death in 1933.

It is curious that after the revolution in Russia, George V allowed a relative to live in a cottage not far from Windsor Castle, while Ksenia Alexandrovna’s husband was forbidden to appear there due to adultery. From others interesting facts- her daughter, Irina, married Felix Yusupov, Rasputin’s killer, a scandalous and shocking personality.

Possible Michael II

Grand Duke Mikhail Alexandrovich was, perhaps, the most significant for all of Russia, with the exception of Nicholas II, the son of Alexander III. Before the First World War, after his marriage to Natalya Sergeevna Brasova, Mikhail Alexandrovich lived in Europe. The marriage was unequal; moreover, at the time of its conclusion, Natalya Sergeevna was married. The lovers had to get married in the Serbian Orthodox Church in Vienna. Because of this, all the estates of Mikhail Alexandrovich were taken under the control of the emperor.

Mikhail Alexandrovich

Some monarchists called Mikhail Alexandrovich Mikhail II

With the beginning of the First World War, Nikolai’s brother asked to go to Russia to fight. As a result, he headed the Native Division in the Caucasus. Wartime was marked by many plots being prepared against Nicholas II, but Mikhail did not participate in any of them, being loyal to his brother. However, it was the name of Mikhail Alexandrovich that was increasingly mentioned in various political combinations drawn up in the court and political circles of Petrograd, and Mikhail Alexandrovich himself did not take part in drawing up these plans. A number of contemporaries pointed to the role of the wife of the Grand Duke, who became the center of the “Brasova salon,” which preached liberalism and promoted Mikhail Alexandrovich to the role of head of the reigning house.

Alexander Alexandrovich with his wife (1867)

The February Revolution found Mikhail Alexandrovich in Gatchina. Documents show that during the days of the February Revolution he tried to save the monarchy, but not because of the desire to take the throne himself. On the morning of February 27 (March 12), 1917, he was called by telephone to Petrograd by the Chairman of the State Duma M.V. Rodzianko. Arriving in the capital, Mikhail Alexandrovich met with the Provisional Committee of the Duma. They convinced him to essentially legitimize the coup d'etat: become a dictator, dismiss the government and ask his brother to create a responsible ministry. By the end of the day, Mikhail Alexandrovich was convinced to take power as a last resort. Subsequent events would reveal the indecisiveness and inability of brother Nicholas II to engage in serious politics in an emergency situation.

Grand Duke Mikhail Alexandrovich with his morganatic wife N.M. Brasova. Paris. 1913

It is appropriate to recall the description given to Mikhail Alexandrovich by General Mosolov: “He was distinguished by exceptional kindness and gullibility.” According to the memoirs of Colonel Mordvinov, Mikhail Alexandrovich was “of a gentle character, although quick-tempered. He is inclined to succumb to the influence of others... But in actions that touch upon issues of moral duty, he always shows persistence!”

Last Grand Duchess

Olga Alexandrovna lived to be 78 years old and died on November 24, 1960. She outlived her older sister Ksenia by seven months.

In 1901 she married the Duke of Oldenburg. The marriage was unsuccessful and ended in divorce. Subsequently, Olga Alexandrovna married Nikolai Kulikovsky. After the fall of the Romanov dynasty, she left for Crimea with her mother, husband and children, where they lived in conditions close to house arrest.

Olga Aleksandrovka as honorary commander of the 12th Akhtyrsky Hussar Regiment

She is one of the few Romanovs who survived after October revolution. She lived in Denmark, then in Canada, and outlived all the other grandchildren (granddaughters) of Emperor Alexander II. Like her father, Olga Alexandrovna preferred simple life. During her life she painted more than 2,000 paintings, the proceeds from the sale of which allowed her to support her family and engage in charity work.

Protopresbyter Georgy Shavelsky recalled her this way:

“Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna, among all the persons of the imperial family, was distinguished by her extraordinary simplicity, accessibility, and democracy. On his estate in Voronezh province. she completely grew up: she walked around the village huts, nursed peasant children, etc. In St. Petersburg, she often walked on foot, rode in simple cabs, and really loved to talk with the latter.”

The imperial couple among their circle of associates (summer 1889)

General Alexey Nikolaevich Kuropatkin:

“My next date is with my boyfriend. Princess Olga Alexandrovna was born on November 12, 1918 in Crimea, where she lived with her second husband, captain of the hussar regiment Kulikovsky. Here she became even more at ease. It would be difficult for someone who didn’t know her to believe that this was the Grand Duchess. They occupied a small, very poorly furnished house. The Grand Duchess herself nursed her baby, cooked and even washed the clothes. I found her in the garden, where she was pushing her child in a stroller. She immediately invited me into the house and there treated me to tea and her own products: jam and cookies. The simplicity of the situation, bordering on squalor, made it even more sweet and attractive.”

The birth of children is a joy, and in the imperial family it is a double joy, especially if a boy is born, since boys ensure the “stability” of the ruling dynasty. This was important for the reigning emperor and the heir-cresarevich. In general, from the time of Paul I, who had four sons, the “problem of the heir” throughout the 19th century. was not relevant for the imperial family. There was always a “reserve” in a direct descending line, which made it possible for the country to painlessly replace emperors or crown princes who “retired” for various reasons.

All Russian empresses gave birth at home, that is, in those imperial residences in which they found themselves at the time of birth. None of the members of the Imperial family gave birth in specialized clinics, which in the 19th century. already existed. Even when in 1904 on Vasilievsky Island, obstetrician D.O. Ott opened a luxurious obstetric clinic; none of the members of the Imperial family ever used it. They gave birth at home according to tradition, adapting one of the rooms as a maternity ward.

The crown princesses and empresses, despite the impending birth, steadily followed the “schedule” of moving from residence to residence, regardless of the stage of pregnancy. At the same time, the life obstetrician relentlessly followed the pregnant special Imperial family. She gave birth in the same residence where the contractions began. Nicholas II was born in May 1868 in the right wing of the first floor of the Alexander Palace of Tsarskoe Selo, where, following tradition, the royal family had just moved for the summer. Of the five children of Nicholas II, one daughter was born in the Alexander Palace of Tsarskoe Selo, and three daughters and a son were born in the Lower (New) Palace in Peterhof. For obstetrician D.O. Ott, not far from the Lower Palace, in which the family of Nicholas II lived in Peterhof, was given a two-room apartment in the House of Honor, where he lived, awaiting the onset of the next birth of the Empress.

As a rule, during childbirth or in the immediate vicinity of the delivery room, all relatives who happened to be nearby were present. And the husband literally held his wife’s hand while she was giving birth, while in the “maternity ward.” This tradition dates back to the Middle Ages. According to ancient European tradition, the highest aristocracy had the right to be present at the birth of the queen, directly verifying the “truth” of both the family and the heir, their future ruler. Therefore, the presence of the emperor or crown prince next to his wife who was giving birth was intended not only to support the wife, but also to observe a long-standing tradition.

Subjects were informed about the birth of a child in the imperial family by issuing a corresponding “Manifesto,” which “embedded” the born child into the Romanov family hierarchy, officially proclaiming the baby “Highness.” When Nicholas I’s second son was born in 1827, the “Manifesto” stated: “We announce to all Our faithful subjects that on the 9th day of this September, Our dearest Spouse, Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, was relieved of her burden by the birth of Our Son, named Konstantin …" 1 .

In addition, subjects learned about the birth of the royal baby by artillery salvoes from the guns of the Peter and Paul Fortress. The number of volleys indicated the gender of the baby. 101 salvos meant the birth of a girl, and 301 – a boy.

All palace servants who were on duty on the child’s birthday were sure to receive valuable memorable gifts 2 . It should be added that the subjects were informed not only about the birth of the child, but also about the empress’s pregnancy. Such announcements were published in the official chronicle section of the Government Gazette.

In a separate manifesto, subjects were notified of new highly solemn dates in the imperial calendar.

The manifesto dated March 1, 1845 indicated that “the birth of the most dear Grandson of Our Grand Duke Alexander Alexandrovich (the future Alexander III. - I. 3.) We command that it be celebrated on the 26th day of February, and the namesake on the 30th day of August” 3.

At the birth of a princess or empress, the Minister of the Imperial Household was required to be present. Again, in order to guarantee the “truth” of the fact of the birth of a child. However, in the 19th century. this requirement was no longer adhered to literally, but the Minister of the Court during childbirth was “behind the door” of the room in which the empress or princess gave birth, and he had to prepare five options manifesto, which officially announced the birth of a child. The Tsar himself brought the newborn to the Minister of the Court and himself entered the pre-selected name into the decree 4 . When Empress Alexandra Feodorovna was preparing to give birth to her first child in 1895, then, according to the accepted procedure, in the bowels of the office of the Ministry of the Imperial Household, five projects government decree on the birth of a child. These projects included all possible options: 1) birth of a son; 2) birth of a daughter; 3) twins from two sons; 4) twins from two daughters; 5) twins from a son and daughter.

The draft only omitted the child's name and did not indicate his birthday. The draft decree on the birth of a son was formulated as follows: “On this day... Our dear Spouse, Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, was safely relieved of her burden by the birth of Our son, named...” 5 .

Beginning with Paul I, imperial and grand-ducal families had large families. There was no talk of any birth control. Empresses, crown princesses and grand duchesses gave birth as much as “God gave.” In the family of Paul I, Empress Maria Feodorovna gave birth to four sons And six daughters. Moreover, the first child was born in December 1777 (the future Emperor Alexander I), and the last in 1798 (Grand Duke Mikhail), i.e., in 22 years, Maria Feodorovna gave birth to 10 children.

Alexander I had no sons. The wife of Alexander I, Empress Elizaveta Alekseevna, gave birth to two daughters, who died at an early age. It should be noted that the relationship between the spouses was very complex and Alexander I had side children.

U exemplary family man Nicholas I and his wife, Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, were seven children - four sons And three daughters. The first child was born in 1818 (the future Alexander II), the last (Grand Duke Mikhail Nikolaevich) - in 1832.

In the family of Alexander II and Empress Maria Alexandrovna, despite the poor health of the empress, in 18 years a child was born eight children - two daughters And six sons. The first child (Grand Duchess Alexandra Alexandrovna) was born in 1842, the last (Grand Duke Pavel Alexandrovich) in 1860.

The family of Alexander III and Empress Maria Feodorovna also born six children of these, one child died at the age of one. Left in the family three sons And Two daughters, The first child (Nicholas II) was born in 1868, the last (Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna) in 1882, i.e., six children were born in 14 years.

From 1895 to 1904, five children were born into the family of Nicholas II and Empress Alexandra Feodorovna. For Nicholas II, the problem of an heir turned out to have serious political consequences - numerous male relatives, from the younger branches of the Romanov dynasty, were ready with a great desire to inherit the throne, which, naturally, did not suit either Nicholas II or Alexandra Fedorovna at all.

Thus, the birth of sons in the imperial family had not only the character of ordinary human joy, but also became an event of great political significance, creating a margin of safety for the ruling dynasty.

Imp. Maria Fedorovna with her son Nikolai. Autumn 1868

In 1817, the childless Emperor Alexander I informed his younger brother Nikolai Pavlovich that he intended to transfer the throne to him. This decision became known only to the brothers: Grand Duke Konstantin Pavlovich and Grand Duke Nikolai Pavlovich. Later this decision was formalized legally. Therefore, when Alexander Nikolaevich was born in Moscow in 1818, his family perceived him as the future heir to the throne. Under the new political situation, Nikolai Pavlovich was interested in having sons, and when in August 1819 his wife Alexandra Feodorovna gave birth to their second child, Grand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna, he did not “receive it with particular joy: he was expecting a son; subsequently he often reproached himself for this...” 6. However, God later gave him sons, whose offspring, in turn, strengthened the dynastic foundation of the Russian Imperial House.

The birth of children in the family of Nicholas II

The problem of succession to the throne at all times in many countries has been closely intertwined with behind-the-scenes intrigues. The family of the last Russian Emperor Nicholas II faced it especially acutely. The main dynastic task of any empress is the birth of an heir to the throne. Therefore, any ailment of the young woman was attributed to the pregnancy expected by everyone. The phrase written in the diary of Grand Duke Konstantin Konstantinovich in December 1894, less than three weeks after the wedding of Nicholas and Alexandra, but more than six months after the engagement in Coburg, sounds quite characteristic: “The young empress again felt ill in the church. If this comes from a reason desired by all of Russia, then thank God!” 7.

BEFORE. Ott

Obstetrician Dmitry Oskarovich Ott was the largest gynecologist of his time. Back in 1893, he was appointed director of the Imperial Clinical Midwifery Institute. Nicholas II first mentioned Professor Ott in his diary on September 26, 1895. A month before the birth of the first child in the imperial family, the obstetrician personally came to the Winter Palace. Nikolai wrote about this in his diary: “Ott and Gunst came to inspect my darling!” A day later he again mentioned that “Ott and Günst are happy.” Soon it was time to give birth, and in the diary of Nicholas II it is mentioned that the contractions lasted almost a day - from one in the morning until late in the evening. Only at 9 pm on November 3, 1895, the Empress gave birth to a girl, whom her parents named Olga. All this time, Professor Ott and midwife Evgenia Konradovna Gunst were next to her.

The first birth of Empress Alexandra Feodorovna was difficult. Although they were preparing to receive them in the Winter Palace, the empress gave birth in the Alexander Palace of Tsarskoye Selo. As mentioned younger sister Tsar, Grand Duchess Ksenia Alexandrovna, the baby was “dragged with tongs.” Olga was baptized on November 14, 1895 in the Great Church of the Catherine Palace in Tsarskoe Selo. Only a month and a half after the birth, the royal family moved with their little daughter to the Winter Palace.

The pathological birth was apparently due to both the poor health of the empress, who was 23 years old at the time of birth, and the fact that she had suffered from sacrolumbar pain since adolescence. Pain in her legs haunted her all her life. Therefore, household members often saw the empress in a wheelchair. However, contrary to tradition, she herself began to feed her daughter on November 5, which made the king very proud. A few weeks later, the king again mentioned among the doctors who were in the palace while bathing the child, D.O. Otta. The Empress's elder sister, Elizaveta Feodorovna, wrote in a letter to Queen Victoria that the care during childbirth was "wonderful." The last time Nicholas II mentioned the name D.O. Otta on November 30 – “was present at my daughter’s bath. Ott was there too; Now he rarely comes.” Midwife E.K. Gunst said goodbye to the royal family on December 20, having stayed in the Winter Palace for three months.

The successful first birth of the empress marked the beginning of the court career of D.O. Ott, which lasted until February 1917. By a personal imperial decree of November 4, 1895 addressed to the Minister of the Imperial Household D.O. Ott was “most graciously granted the position of life obstetrician of the Court of His Imperial Majesty with retention in his positions and titles.” In the formal list D.O. Ott, on December 1, 1895, these positions and titles were recorded: “Director of the Midwifery Institute, obstetrician, consultant and honorary professor of women’s diseases at the Clinical Institute of Grand Duchess Elena Pavlovna, Doctor of Medicine, Actual State Councilor.” It can be added that, on the basis of the “Regulations” of the Court Medical Unit of the Ministry of the Imperial Household, the title of life physician “was made without any rules at the discretion of Their Majesties.”

After a difficult birth, the empress got back on her feet only on November 18, 1895 and sat in a wheelchair: “I sat with Alyx, who rode in a mobile chair and even visited me” 8. Apparently, already the first birth had an adverse effect on her poor health, and therefore restorative procedures were resumed again. The Tsar wrote in his diary on November 28, 1895: “Alike bathed again - now she will continue to take salt baths daily” 9 .

The poor health of the Empress 10 and the birth of a girl immediately gave rise to various rumors. Even Alexandra Feodorovna’s elder sister, Grand Duchess Elizaveta Feodorovna, in a letter to Queen Victoria, considered it necessary to mention that “you know about the terrible rumors that no one knows who is spreading, that Alyx is dangerously ill and cannot have children and that operations are needed.”

The Empress gave birth again less than two years later. In a letter to his mother in January 1897, Nicholas II reported that “yesterday Alyx definitely felt movement - jumping and pushing” 11 . This pregnancy was not easy either. Apparently, in the early stages of pregnancy, doctors feared a miscarriage, since the documents vaguely mention that the empress got out of bed only on January 22, 1897, having lain without getting up for seven weeks. All this time, her obstetrician D.O. was next to her. Ott. The same documents mention that he himself pushed the Empress in a stroller around the garden next to the Winter Palace. The threat of miscarriage is also confirmed by the mention of Nicholas II in a letter to his mother that “we are more than careful when moving and with any change of position on the sofa” 12. Nevertheless, literally on the eve of the birth, according to tradition, the royal family moved for the summer to the Alexander Palace of Tsarskoye Selo, where Tatyana was born on May 29, 1897. On this day, Grand Duke Konstantin Konstantinovich wrote in his diary: “In the morning God gave Their Majesties... a daughter. The news spread quickly, and everyone was disappointed, because they were expecting a son” 13.

In November 1898, it turned out that the Empress was pregnant for the third time. As with the first birth, she immediately sat down in her stroller, since she could not walk due to pain in her legs and rode through the halls of the Winter Palace “in armchairs.” On June 14, 1899, the third daughter, Maria, was born in Peterhof.

The succession of daughters in the royal family caused a persistent mood of disappointment in society. In 1913, cadet Obninsky wrote: “The world greeted the poor little ones with laughter... Both parents became superstitious... and when the consumptive George died, the new heir was taken away from the traditional title of “Tsarevich” out of superstitious fear, as they said that this title interferes with the emergence of into the world of a boy" 14. Count V.E. Schulenburg, who served in the Life Guards Uhlan Regiment, recalled that Olga’s birth was greeted “with schadenfreude,” and after the birth of other grand duchesses, countless “undignified witticisms and accusations” began among the officers 15 .

Even the tsar’s closest relatives repeatedly noted in their diaries that the news of the birth of another daughter caused a sigh of disappointment throughout the country. Ksenia Alexandrovna, the younger sister of Nicholas II, wrote in her diary back in November 1895: “The birth of a daughter, Nika and Alika, is a great happiness, although it is a pity that it is not a son” 16. The Empress's sister Elizaveta Feodorovna wrote to Queen Victoria of England: “The joy is enormous and the disappointment that it is a girl fades from the knowledge that everything is fine” 17 . Typically, such records appeared in intimate correspondence royal relatives already at the birth of the first daughter of the royal couple, Olga Nikolaevna.

The beginning of the fourth pregnancy was confirmed by court doctors in the fall of 1900. The waiting became unbearable. In the diary of Grand Duke Konstantin Konstantinovich it is written: “She has become very prettier... everyone therefore anxiously hopes that this time there will be a son” 18. In June 1901, the Empress's midwife E.K. Gunst “wrongly assumed” the onset of premature labor 19 and therefore Professor Popov was urgently called from her estate in the Kursk region. He was invited three times to examine the empress in New Peterhof 20. The invitation of a new obstetrician indirectly indicated that the empress by this time had a relationship with her obstetrician D.O. That's why they changed. The fact is that the empress only tolerated those doctors around her who confirmed her own diagnoses. On June 5, 1901, the Tsar’s fourth daughter, Anastasia, was born in Peterhof.

After the birth of the fourth daughter, the initially restrained intonations of discontent break through. In June 1901, an entry appeared in Ksenia Alexandrovna’s diary: “Alike feels great - but, my God! What a disappointment!.. 4th girl!” 21 The emperor's uncle, the famous "K. R." - Grand Duke Konstantin Konstantinovich - wrote in his diary at the same time: “Forgive me, Lord! Instead of joy, everyone felt disappointment, so they waited for the heir and now - the fourth daughter” 22.

There was general disappointment. Alexandra Fedorovna herself fell into despair. The absence of a direct heir to the tsar revived the “project” of the fall of 1900, when legal possibilities for transferring power, bypassing existing laws, to the tsar’s eldest daughter, Olga Nikolaevna, were being worked out. A.V. Bogdanovich wrote in her diary on July 9, 1901: “Myasoedov-Ivanov said that Witte and Solsky were pursuing the idea of ​​changing the succession to the throne in order to make the Tsar’s daughter Olga the heir” 23 . And therefore, it is no coincidence that it was in 1901 that a series of charlatans began to appear near the throne, who promised to help the royal family solve this delicate problem.

By 1901, four girls were born in a row into the family of Nicholas II, something similar had already happened in the Romanov family. The wife of Paul I gave birth to five daughters in a row, but before that she gave birth to two boys - Alexander and Konstantin Pavlovich.

The heir problem

The absence of a direct heir to the imperial couple worried not only court circles. After the birth of her third daughter, starting in 1899, the Ministry of the Imperial Household began to receive letters from various countries: England, France, Belgium, USA, Latin America and Japan with offers to tell a secret that guarantees the birth of an heir.

The Soviets were not disinterested. The amounts were different, in some letters several tens of thousands of dollars. It is noteworthy that Russian subjects gave advice to their tsar “for free.” But at the same time, the advice of foreigners, as a rule, was based on the theory of the Austrian embryologist, professor at the University of Vienna, Schenk, known at that time. He published a number of investigations on the development of eggs and sensory organs in lower vertebrates and became famous for his experiments in determining the sex of the embryo in mammals and humans by means of appropriate feeding of the parents 24 .

The advice of Russian citizens looked simpler. Among the authors were people of very different social status: the commander of the 2nd company of the 8th pontoon battalion Adam-Heinrich Glasko from Tiraspol, retired lieutenant colonel F.F. Likhachev from Mogilev province, assistant for conducting court cases from Vladivostok I.V. Myasnikov, controller-mechanic of the telegraph service L. Zandman from Omsk, Taganrog tradesman I.V. Tkachenko, the wife of Lieutenant General Engelhardt, tradesman David Satsevich from the Kovno district, zemstvo paramedic N. Lyubsky from the Novgorod province and many others.

In order to imagine the content of these “simple” tips, let us turn to one of them, written by a relatively knowledgeable person in medicine, paramedic N. Lyubsky: “You can predict what sex the egg is released from a woman during a given menstruation and, therefore, you can have the child you want floor. I dare to call such a strict sequence in the secretion of testicles in women a law of nature” 25. The following were also given: “ask the Sovereign, your Spouse, to lie on the left side or, in other words, to the left side of Your Majesty, and I hope that not even a year will pass before all of Russia will rejoice at the appearance of the desired heir” 26 .

Due to the abundant flow of such letters (the archive file contains more than 260 sheets), a certain procedure for working with them has developed. Head of the Chancellery of the Ministry of the Imperial Household, Colonel A.A. Mosolov wrote: “that according to the procedure established by the Ministry of the Imperial Court, letters and petitions containing this kind of advice are left unanswered and without further movement” 27. However, as follows from the same case, some letters were still taken into account. In a letter dated April 28, 1905, the peasant of the Tula province of the village of Khotunki D.A. Kiryushkin writes to V.B. Fredericks that “in 1902, on January 7, I had the good fortune to be in the palace of Your Excellency on the occasion of the birth of the heir to the throne. I petitioned Your Excellency for permission to report to His Imperial Majesty, the Most Gracious Sovereign Emperor.” In 1907, he again reminded himself in a letter: “I was in the palace entrusted to you to explain why boys and girls are born” 28 . The peasant aggressively demanded a fee from the Minister of the Court, since he associated the birth of Tsarevich Alexei with his advice.

Thus, the peculiarities of the internal political situation, relations in the Imperial family, and the character traits of Empress Alexandra Feodorovna prepared the appearance at the Court of the French charlatan Philip. S.Yu. writes in detail about the history of his appearance at the Russian Court in “Memoirs”. Witte. According to him, the wife of Grand Duke Peter Nikolaevich, Militsa, “Montenegro No. 1,” met Philip abroad; through her, Philip “got in” to their Grand Dukes Nikolaevich and then to Their Majesties 29 .

The fact is that Philip cured Militsa’s son, Roman. Witte mentioned that the Montenegrins petitioned for Philip to be allowed to practice medicine in Russia and to be given a medical diploma. Perhaps this is the only case in the history of awarding academic degrees in Russia when “contrary to all laws under Minister of War Kuropatkin, he was given a doctor of medicine from the St. Petersburg Military Medical Academy and the rank of full state councilor. All this without any announcements. Saint Philip went to a military tailor and ordered himself a military medical uniform” 30.

It should be noted that information about the psychic came to the palace from various sources. The head of the Parisian and Geneva agents P.I. Rachkovsky, at the request of the palace commandant P.P. Hesse compiled a dossier on Philip, where he presented him as a charlatan. But the faith of the imperial family in Philip turned out to be so strong that the head of the foreign agents of the Police Department since 1882 was immediately removed from office in 1902.

Grand Duke Alexander Mikhailovich wrote in his “Memoirs” that “the French envoy warned the Russian government against this insinuating foreigner, but the Tsar and Tsarina had a different opinion... He claimed that he had the power of suggestion, which could influence the sex of a child developing in the womb. He did not prescribe any medicines that could be tested by the court physicians. The secret of his art was a series of hypnotic sessions. After two months of treatment, he announced that the Empress was expecting a child." 31

Alexandra Fedorovna’s fifth pregnancy began in November 1901. Since the royal couple associated this pregnancy exclusively with Philip’s mysterious “passes,” it was hidden even from their closest relatives. Nicholas II's sister Ksenia Alexandrovna only learned from the Empress in April 1902 about her pregnancy. In her letter to her, Alexandra Fedorovna wrote: “Now it is already difficult to hide. Don't write to Mother, as I want to tell her when she returns next week. I feel so good, thank God, in August!” 32.

On Philip’s recommendation, the Empress did not allow doctors to see her until August 1902. By spring, everyone noticed that she had gained a lot of weight and stopped wearing a corset. Her pregnancy was officially announced. As Witte wrote: “The Empress stopped walking and lay all the time. Obstetrician Ott and his assistants moved to Peterhof, expecting this event from hour to hour. Meanwhile, labor did not occur. Then Professor Ott began to persuade the Empress and the Sovereign to allow him to examine the Empress. For obvious reasons, the Empress did not allow herself to be examined at all before giving birth. Finally she agreed. Ott investigated and announced that the Empress was not pregnant and was not pregnant, which was then announced to Russia in the appropriate form” 33.

This news broke a terrible blow on the psyche of Alexandra Fedorovna. The child she had been carrying since November 1901 simply did not exist. It was a shock to everyone. The news immediately became known among the aristocratic elite. Ksenia Alexandrovna in a letter dated August 19, 1902 to Princess A.A. Obolenskaya, closest lady-in-waiting and friend of the Empress

Maria Fedorovna, wrote: “We all walk around as if we’ve been out of water since yesterday... poor A.F. It turned out that she was not pregnant at all - she had nothing for 9 months and suddenly it came, but it was completely normal, without pain. On the third day, Ott saw her for the first time and stated that there was no pregnancy, but, fortunately, everything was fine inside. He says that such cases happen and that this occurs due to anemia” 34. Grand Duke Konstantin Konstantinovich wrote in his diary on August 20, 1902: “Since August 8, they waited every day for permission from the Empress’s burden... Alyx cried a lot. When, finally, Doctors Ott and Gunst, who were admitted to her, determined that there was no pregnancy, but it did not exist” 35.

In addition, it was necessary to clearly explain to the whole country where the empress’s child had gone. We had to somehow get out of this sticky situation. Therefore, in the official “Government Gazette” on August 21, 1902, a message was published: “Several months ago, changes occurred in the health of Her Majesty the Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, indicating pregnancy. Currently, due to a deviation from the normal course, the terminated pregnancy ended in a miscarriage, which occurred without any complications at normal temperature and pulse. Life obstetrician D.O. Ott. Life surgeon Hirsch. Peterhof August 20, 1902." A further bulletin followed on 27 August 1902, reporting that Her Majesty was "on the road to full recovery".

This event gave rise to many rumors among the people that the queen gave birth to an “unknown little animal.” Secretary of State A.A. Polovtsev wrote in August 1902: “The most absurd rumors spread throughout all classes of the population, such as, for example, that the empress gave birth to a freak with horns” 36 . He called what happened “a shameful adventure of the empress’s false clans.” In the aristocratic environment, this information also caused a variety of rumors. And the authorities gave serious reasons for criticism. In Nizhny Novgorod, the police confiscated a calendar, on the first page of which a female person was depicted carrying four small pigs in a basket. After the “miscarriage,” the police ordered that the words be deleted from the opera “Tsar Saltan”: “The queen gave birth that night to either a son or a daughter, not a dog, not a frog, but an unknown animal” 37 .

In August 1902, Grand Duke Konstantin Konstantinovich wrote in his diary: “Yesterday, signed by obstetrician Dm. Ott and life surgeon Hirsch, a bulletin was announced in the newspapers... The text of the bulletin is criticized, especially the word “thanks” 38. As a result of this generally tragic story for the royal family, the empress was finally diagnosed as a hysteric. Grand Duke Alexander Mikhailovich wrote about “acute nervous disorder” 39, S.Yu. Witte calls her “an abnormal hysterical person” 40.

However, it is probably impossible to call what happened a miscarriage, since the queen carried the pregnancy for the required time, and it was not a false pregnancy. Objective medical information is contained in the archival file of the Cabinet of His Imperial Majesty Nicholas II: “Explanations by the life physician, obstetrician Hirsch, about the causes of Alexandra Fedorovna’s false pregnancy.” The envelope is marked “top secret” and “It is the highest order to keep it unopened in His Majesty’s Office.” Since this episode is mentioned in many memoirs and these events largely explain the characteristics of the empress’s character, we will allow extensive quotes from this previously unpublished document: “Her Majesty last had her period on the first day of November. From that time on, the blood no longer appeared, which forced Her Majesty to consider herself pregnant from that time on, expecting permission in early August, i.e., to the normal stage of pregnancy. Although this time the pregnancy differed from the previous ones in the small size of the abdomen, nevertheless, feeling quite well and not experiencing any pain or discomfort, Her Majesty believed that the pregnancy was proceeding correctly and therefore did not find it necessary to seek medical advice before the expected release of the pregnancy. Meanwhile, the established period passed and, moreover, on the morning of August 16, bleeding appeared, which in its quantity and nature of appearance did not differ from ordinary monthly cleansings (minor bleeding was, however, noted by Her Majesty back in July).

The above circumstances prompted Her Majesty to seek medical advice from Her Majesty’s obstetrician, Professor Ott, who, having been invited to Her Majesty at about 10 a.m. on August 16, examined Her Majesty in the presence of the midwife Gunst and determined that, on the basis this study any thought about pregnancy is excluded, and not only in its final term, but generally in such a stage of development that obstetric science recognizes as recognizable. The entire complex of objective studies, and especially the size of the uterus itself, which was almost unchanged from the norm, gave the right to such a conclusion.

Over the following days: the 17th, 18th, 19th of August, Her Majesty’s bleeding continued to a very moderate extent, and by the evening of the 19th, Her Majesty felt pain in nature, reminiscent of labor pains, which by the morning of the next day subsided, and during the morning toilet a fleshy formation the size of Walnut, spherical - oblong, slightly flattened in shape and with a relatively smooth surface. In appearance, the described formation (which is confirmed by microscopic examination) can be mistaken for a dead fruit egg of no more than 4 weeks of development. Upon opening the isolated egg with a cut, it was not possible to detect clear signs of an embryo in its cavity; the watery and fleecy shell is quite well defined; the latter is greatly thickened and in one section is saturated with hemorrhage. The entire egg bears signs of maceration and some swelling, representing the so-called fleshy mole (Mole carnosum). The released egg, opened by Professor Ott, was shown to Life Surgeon Hirsch and Mrs. Gunst.

Based on all of the above, it should be recognized that the delay in Her Majesty’s menstrual blood was due to the conception that occurred, and the pregnancy stopped at an early stage of development of the fertilized egg, and the dead egg, as a so-called “reserve,” remained in the uterine cavity until it was released from it , which occurred only on August 20.

In addition to the indicated presence of a dead egg in the uterine cavity, the long delay in menstruation could not but be affected by anemia and the associated metabolic disorder in Her Majesty’s body.

Peterhof August 26, 1902 Life Obstetrician of the Court of His Imperial Majesty, Professor Dm. Ott. Life Surgeon, His Majesty Doctor of Medicine Hirsch" 41.

This document was kept under special storage in the archives of the Ministry of the Imperial Household. The minister of the court, Frederick, taking into account the sensitive nature of the “disease,” offered the tsar several options for storing documentation related to the events of the summer of 1902. Nicholas II chose the most “closed” option, according to which all medical materials had to be stored in a special bag, “without opening” 42.

This episode was also mentioned by Grand Duchess Ksenia Alexandrovna in a letter dated August 20, 1902: “This morning at A.F. there was a small miscarriage (if you can call it a miscarriage!), that is, a tiny egg just came out! She had pain last night and at night too, but in the morning it was all over when this story came out! Now, finally, it will be possible to announce this and tomorrow a bulletin will appear in the newspapers - with a message about what happened. Finally, the only way out of this sad case has been found." 43

In 1928, D.O. himself Ott told the following about this story: “This was the Empress’s fifth pregnancy. The Empress passed by two months the period in which, according to her calculations, she was supposed to give birth. She felt well, and I did not examine her, and I saw her pregnant for the first time in the seventh month. The birth was approaching, and I was invited to live in Peterhof. The appearance of the empress was striking; her figure had not changed at all, her stomach was absent. I pointed this out to her and asked permission to examine her. She answered me: “Bleiben sie ruhig, das kind ist dahinten” (Be calm, the child is there). She led an unsuitable lifestyle; almost every day at eleven o’clock she went to Znamenka to visit Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolaevich and returned at about three in the morning, but I did not interfere. One fine day I was hurriedly called to the empress: she was sitting agitated, drops of blood on her shirt. The Emperor walks around the room, is very worried and asks to examine it. An examination showed that there was a pregnancy, but the egg did not develop. This is what is called a fleshy, or bloody, cut. Thanks to the bleeding, he came out. I explained what was going on. The Emperor asked me to quickly go to Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich, where the entire court was at the “kissing of the hand” on the occasion of Elena Vladimirovna’s marriage, and to inform the Minister of the Court Fredericks. I did it. Frederique asked: “Quel est le mot d ordre?” (What orders?). I said I don't know. Frederique asked me to write a newsletter. I wrote it in such a way that anyone could understand between the lines what was being said. The next day I was called back to the palace. Frederike and the Empress’s personal physician, Dr. Hirsch, a German, are waiting for me there, and they give me a stupidly written piece of paper to read. I say that this is no good, that I wrote differently. They tell me that the sovereign ordered me to sign this piece of paper. Well, I signed it. This is how the notice that everyone knows appeared” 44.

As we see, the entire “pregnancy” of the empress was patronized by “saint” Philip, who lived on the estate of Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolaevich Znamenka, and Alexandra Feodorovna visited him daily. The king’s entourage knew very little about Philip, since their acquaintance with him was not advertised. Grand Duke Konstantin Konstantinovich called him in his diary in August 1901 “a certain Filippov, either a doctor or a scientist involved in vaccination and treatment of various diseases.” But a few days later he meets him in person: “We were drinking tea at Militsa’s and saw him. He is a short man, black-haired, with a black mustache, about 50 years old, of very homely appearance, with a bad southern French accent” 45.

In fact, Philippe Nizier-Vachau, a native of Lyon, completed only three years of medical school at the University of Lyon. Having discovered his psychic abilities, he left the university and began to specialize in the treatment of nervous diseases. His clients were especially often women, and, as a rule, very wealthy ones. In this field he became very widely known. But since he did not have a medical diploma, Philip was repeatedly attracted to criminal liability for illegal medical practice. Over time, he managed to get around this obstacle by taking on a certified doctor as a “companion”.

In the diary of Nicholas II and the correspondence of the imperial couple, he is called “our dear Friend.” The degree of Philip’s influence on the Tsar is eloquently indicated by the following entry in the diary of Nicholas II for July 1902: “Mr. Philippe spoke and taught us. What a wonderful watch!!!” This type of diary entries of the tsar is quite rare, since Nicholas II was distinguished by extreme stinginess in emotions. In addition, apparently, the teacher interfered not only in the personal affairs of the king. On July 22, 1902, the Empress wrote to the Tsar, who was leaving on a yacht for Germany to meet Emperor Wilhelm II: “Our dear friend will be next to you, he will help you answer Wilhelm’s questions.” Apparently, the summer of 1902, when the imperial couple was expecting the birth of a “miraculously” conceived boy-heir, was the time of Philip’s greatest influence. Once again, it must be emphasized that this influence began to take on a political character. All this could not but worry the inner circle of the royal family. N. Berberova also mentioned Philip’s political activities in her book “People and Lodges.” She wrote: “The activities of the “Martinists” have revived in Russia with the help of two charlatans, Papus and Philippe” 46 .

It was quite widely known among those around Nicholas II that the tsar easily agreed with the opinion of his last interlocutor. Historian and politician P.N. Miliukov even tried to classify these influences in his Memoirs. At the beginning of the reign, decision-making was influenced by the emperor’s mother and his uncles; from 1901, the stage of influence of the “Montenegros” and Philip began, and “this period was marked by the turning of the tables and the transition from Monsier Philip to his own national holy fools, such as the fanatic Iliodor, the idiot Mitya Kozelsky or – the most recent – ​​the Siberian “varnak” – Grigory Rasputin, who finally mastered the will of the Tsar” 47 . The Minister of Foreign Affairs (1906–1910) A.P. writes about this. Izvolsky: “Can one be surprised that the emperor could fall under the influence of such a vulgar rogue as the famous Philip, who began his career as a butcher in Lyon, later became a spiritualist, hypnotist and charlatan, who was convicted in France for various frauds and ended in that he became a welcome guest at the Russian Imperial Court and became an adviser to the empress and emperor not only on matters of a personal nature, but even on matters of great national importance" 48 . All attempts by the Tsar's inner circle (Empress Maria Feodorovna, Tsar's sister Xenia, Empress Elizaveta Fedorovna's sister) to neutralize Philip's influence were unsuccessful. In this context, it can be mentioned that, according to some researchers, the publication of S.A. Nilus of the famous “Protocols of the Elders of Zion” is associated with the attempts of Empress Maria Feodorovna, whose maid of honor was Ozerova (wife of S.A. Nilus), to discredit the representative of the Martinist lodge Philip 49.

Paradoxically, even after the frozen pregnancy, the empress did not lose faith in him. At the end of 1902, Philip announced to her that she would give birth to a son if she turned to the patronage of St. Seraphim of Sarov. After this, Philip went to France, where he died in 1905.

Despite the objections of the Chief Prosecutor of the Synod of the KP. Pobedonostsev and Seraphim of Sarov were urgently canonized. In July 1903, the royal family, following Philip's advice, visited the Sarov Hermitage. After visiting the village of Diveyevo (Sarov Desert), the empress became pregnant for the sixth time. This pregnancy ended with the successful birth of Tsarevich Alexei in July 1904.

In correspondence between the Tsar and Tsarina for 1914–1916. Philip's name was repeatedly mentioned with reverence. As A.A. later recalled. Vyrubova: “When I just got to know Her Majesty better, I was surprised by Her mystical stories about M. Philippe, who recently died.” Until the end of his life, the royal family carefully kept the gifts of the French clairvoyant like shrines. Vyrubova mentioned: “Their Majesties always had in their bedroom a cardboard frame with dried flowers, given to them by M. Philippe, which, according to him, were touched by the hand of the Savior himself” 50 .

Such a reverent attitude towards Philip is explained by the fact that Nicholas II and Alexandra Feodorovna were absolutely convinced that the birth of Tsarevich Alexei was the result of the miraculous influence of a psychic. This is evidenced by a note written by the tsar to one of the Montenegrins, Militsa Nikolaevna, on the birthday of the long-awaited heir: “Dear Militsa! There are not enough words to thank the Lord enough for His great mercy. Please convey our gratitude and joy in some way...to Him. Everything happened so quickly that I still don’t understand what happened. The child is huge, with black hair and blue eyes. He is named Alexey. The Lord is with you all. Nicky" 51. “He” is, of course, Philip, and it was to him that the king conveyed “our gratitude and joy.”

Thus, the episode of the summer of 1902 had significant political consequences. First, the stage has been prepared for the emergence of a new “dear Friend.” Secondly, the royal family was ripe for various “influences” mixed with mysticism. Thirdly, there was a break between the Tsar, and especially the Tsarina, and the Imperial family. Fourthly, the empress gained a reputation as a hysterical woman with an iron will. All this largely prepared the rapid decline in the authority of the Imperial family and the comparative ease of the fall of the 300-year-old Romanov dynasty.

Birth of Tsarevich Alexei

The long-awaited Tsarevich Alexei Nikolaevich was born on July 30, 1904 in Peterhof. It should be noted that back in February 1904, the royal family finally left the Winter Palace, in which they lived for about 9 years, and moved to Tsarskoe Selo.

On this day, Nicholas II wrote in his diary: “An unforgettable great day for us, on the cat. God's mercy has so clearly visited us. At 1 1/4 days Alike had a son, a cat. during prayer they named him Alexei. Everything happened remarkably quickly - for me, at least. In the morning, as always, I visited Mama, then received the report of Kokovtsov and the artillery wounded at Vafangou. officer Klepikov and went to Alika to have breakfast. She was already upstairs, and half an hour later this happy event happened. There are no words to be able to thank God enough for the consolation sent down to us in this time of difficult trials! Dear Alyx felt very good. Mom arrived at 2 o’clock and sat with me for a long time, until the first date with the new grandson. At 5 o'clock. I went to the prayer service with the children, to the cat. the whole family gathered. Wrote a lot of telegrams. Misha came from the camp; he claims that he has “resigned.” I dined in the bedroom."

The Empress gave birth to an heir very easily - “in half an hour.” In his notebook she wrote down: “Weight 4660, length 58, head circumference 38, chest 39...on Friday, July 30 at 1:15 p.m.” 52. The next day, August 1, newspapers began publishing bulletins about the health of the empress and heir. A total of nine bulletins were published, which were published in newspapers from August 1 to August 8, 1904. They noted that “the state of health of the Heir Tsarevich is satisfactory in all respects.” It was emphasized that the empress herself breastfeeds the heir. On August 8, the newspapers published that “the feeding of the Heir to the Tsarevich by the August Mother Herself is proceeding successfully.” On August 1, 1904, a decree was published according to which Our Beloved Brother, Grand Duke Mikhail Alexandrovich, was appointed regent “in the event of Our death... before His coming of age.” The Tsarevich's godson was the German Emperor Wilhelm II 53. On the day of the heir's baptism, a manifesto was published with the usual favors and benefits.

Against the backdrop of this festive bustle, the royal parents were consumed with worry whether alarming signs would appear terrible disease. Typically, studies on this topic say that hemophilia became known five weeks after his birth. On September 8, 1904, the tsar wrote in his diary: “Alike and I were very concerned about little Alexei’s bleeding, which continued intermittently until the evening from the umbilical cord... at about 7 o’clock they applied a bandage” 54 . Then, over the next three days, he stated with deep concern: “In the morning there was blood on the bandage again; from 12 o’clock until the evening there was nothing”; “Today Alexey didn’t show any blood all day; a nagging concern was relieved in my heart”; “The bleeding has stopped for two days.”

Manifesto on the birth of Tsarevich Alexei

At the same time, a number of documents indicate that the parents learned about the heir’s hemophilia literally on his birthday. Since the parents directly associated the birth of the heir with Philip’s magical influence, they had no secrets from Grand Duchess Militsa, who maintained contact with the psychic. Already on August 1, 1904, Nicholas II wrote to her: “Dear Militsa. I am writing to you from Alika’s words: thank God the day passed calmly. After dressing the bandage at 12 o'clock and until 9:30 o'clock in the evening there was not a drop of blood. Doctors hope this will continue. Korovin stays overnight. Fedorov is leaving for the city and will return tomorrow. We both really like him! The little “treasure” is surprisingly calm, and when they bandage it, it either sleeps or lies and laughs. The parents are now a little relieved. Fedorov says that, according to approximate calculations, blood loss in two days is from 1/8 to 1/9 of the total amount of blood” 55.

Apparently, the appearance of an entry about bleeding in the tsar’s diary for September 8 is explained by the fact that throughout August the parents hoped that the bleeding would not happen again. But after the diagnosis was finally made, the king made this terrible recording for him.

Thus, two bleeding events were documented. The first immediately after the birth and the second at the beginning of September 1904, which put everything in its place. Surgeon S.P. was always with the heir. Fedorov, who “both liked extremely” and “stayed in the palace for two and a half days without leaving” 56. From that time on, the illness of the heir turned into a constantly acting destabilizing political factor, due to the high degree of personification of the political life of autocratic Russia.

For the empress, the accomplished tragedy becomes obvious. Since she, apparently, repeatedly spoke on this topic with her older sister Irena, then for her even then, in September, the powerlessness of doctors in the fight against this disease was completely obvious. And although they are immediately attracted best doctors from the Military Medical Academy, she already then, in September 1904, hoped more for a miracle than for medical help. These sentiments of the Empress are evidenced by her phrase in a letter to the Tsar dated September 15, 1904, written in Peterhof: “I am sure that our Friend is protecting you just as he took care of the little one last week” 57 .

This phrase is significant in that it already reads the entire future scenario of the tragedy of this family. The “Friend” is not yet Rasputin, but Philip, he was immediately notified of the Tsarevich’s illness, and the hope for the help of the “Friend” in caring for the “little one” is much greater than for the help of doctors. In November 1904, the heir again needed health care. Medical assistant Polyakov reported that surgeon S.P. Fedorov made “two more visits.”

The child’s illness immediately became a state secret, and even the closest relatives did not immediately learn about this terrible disease. How carefully the secret was guarded is evidenced by the fact that Grand Duke Konstantin Konstantinovich wrote in his diary about the heir only in January 1909: “His leg hurts, they say it’s inflammation of the knee joint, but I don’t know for sure” 58 . It is likely that these harmless rumors about “knee inflammation” were deliberately spread in order to hide the terrible truth about hemophilia. The “diversity” of rumors related to the “diagnosis” of the Tsarevich’s illness is evidenced by numerous memoirs. In January 1911 A.A. Bobrinsky wrote in his diary: “The heir has something like appendicitis due to an erroneous home-grown medical diagnosis” 59 . However, the level of awareness of the capital's elite varied. The gap in the level of awareness of various people in the power elite of St. Petersburg is surprising. On the one hand, already in November 1904 A.V. Bogdanovich wrote in her diary: “Stuermer said about the heir today that he supposedly has one disease, with which he was born, and that now one surgeon is constantly in the palace” 60, and on the other hand, American Ambassador in Russia, J. Marey wrote at the end of 1916: “We have heard many different kinds of stories about the condition of the heir. The most plausible version seems to us to be that Alexei has some difficulties with blood circulation. The blood seems to be too close to the surface of the skin” 61.

A. Vyrubova notes in her memoirs that “Their Majesties hid Alexei Nikolaevich’s illness from everyone except the closest relatives and friends” 62 . The disease was hidden so carefully that, apparently, even the Tsar’s sister Ksenia Alexandrovna, who learned about her nephew’s illness from her sister, Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna, did not belong to these “close relatives” only in March 1912: “In the carriage Olga told us about my conversation with her 63. She said for the first time that the poor little one had this terrible disease and that she herself was sick because of it and would never completely recover” 64 .

Four more daughters grew up in the royal family, and since it was women who were carriers of the mutant gene, the question naturally arose: wouldn’t the daughters be as unhappy as their mother, having given birth to a terminally ill child? The eldest Olga was already a bride, but they were in no hurry to choose a groom. However, perhaps the suitors were in no hurry, well aware of the consequences of hemophilia. Various names were periodically mentioned, from the Romanian prince to the Grand Duke Dmitry Pavlovich. But all these intentions remained only plans. Was there any concern here for the fate of the daughters?

According to J. Worres, Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna was sure that her nieces were carriers of the mutant gene. And if they got married, they would pass this disease on to their children. She claimed that “they were bleeding heavily. She recalled the panic that arose in Tsarskoe Selo when Grand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna had her tonsils removed. Doctor Sklyarov, whom the Grand Duchess introduced to the Empress, expected that it would be a simple, simple operation. But as soon as it began, the young Grand Duchess began bleeding profusely... Despite the fact that the bleeding continued, he managed to successfully complete the operation” 65.

Many memoirists and historians later wrote about this secret and the rumors it generated. Their attitude towards this situation was different. Pro-monarchist authors justified the actions of the royal family. For example, E.E. Alferyev wrote in his book that “for political and dynastic reasons, in order to prevent the enemies of Russia from using the illness of the Heir for their own criminal purposes, they were forced to hide it» 66. Historian S.S. Oldenburg, in his two-volume history of the reign of Nicholas II, simply stated that “the illness of the heir was considered a state secret, but rumors about it were nevertheless widespread” 67 .

Critics of the dynasty noted catastrophic consequences the closeness of the royal family and the futility of this position. For example, Felix Yusupov noted that “they tried to hide the illness of the heir. It was impossible to hide it completely, and secrecy only increased all kinds of rumors that were generally generated in society thanks to the solitary life of the sovereign” 68. They said that Alexei was mentally retarded, epileptic, that “it was as if the nihilists had mutilated a child on board the imperial yacht” 69 .

According to the impressions of P. Gilliard, who saw the Tsarevich in February 1906, he did not give the impression of a sick child: “He had the fresh and rosy complexion of a healthy child, and when he smiled, two dimples appeared on his round cheeks” 70 . Numerous photographs confirm this.

Not everyone perceived Alexey so kindly. They looked at him not as a sick child, but as the heir to a huge power and a future ruler. Many wondered: what kind of future awaits their country when a cripple is at its head? These sentiments are reflected in the memoirs of Countess M. Kleinmichel: “They began to say that the child was weak and short-lived. They said that the child had no skin, the absence of which would cause constant hemorrhages, so that his life could fade away from the most insignificant ailment... Thanks to careful care for him, the child survived, began to get better, became prettier, was smart, but could not walk for a long time, and the sight of this little creature, constantly in the arms of a hefty Cossack, made a depressing impression on the people... This little cripple is the future in him great Russia? 71. In addition, the monarchists were concerned about Rasputin’s excessive closeness not only to the empress, but also to the heir. M.V. Rodzianko wrote that “not without reason, there was a fear that the constant preaching of sectarianism could influence an impressionable child’s soul... would instill in his worldview a harmful mysticism and could turn him into a nervous and unbalanced person in the future” 72 .

The first serious crisis in the development of the disease occurred at the end of 1907, when the Tsarevich was already three and a half years old 73 . It was the first time he seriously injured his leg. As Grand Duke Alexander Mikhailovich wrote: “When he was three years old, playing in the park, Tsarevich Alexei fell and was wounded” 74 . According to Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna, it was during this crisis that Rasputin first stabilized the situation of a sick child. According to her, “the doctors were absolutely no use. More frightened than us, they whispered all the time. Apparently they just couldn't do anything." She writes that only after Rasputin appeared, the situation changed, and “the baby was not only alive, but also healthy” 75. A. Vyrubova, briefly mentioning the crisis of 1907, did not say a word about Rasputin’s intervention; on the contrary, she emphasized that “when the heir fell ill in the fall... Nothing helped him except the care and concerns of his mother” 76 .

During the first serious crisis in the health of the Tsarevich, a foreign specialist was invited to the Alexander Palace of Tsarskoe Selo for the first time. This was Dr. Albert Goff, a professor of orthopedics at the University of Berlin. His invitation was apparently connected with the first and last attempt to appeal to the experience of European specialists. Since they were no longer invited, the experience was not particularly successful. However, it is possible that his consultations were required for a qualified order at the Berlin Orthopedic Institute for a special bed for the sick crown prince. One thing can be said with certainty: since 1907, for European doctors and politicians, the mystery of the illness of the Russian Tsarevich no longer existed.

In March 1908, another injury to the Tsarevich became the reason for correspondence between the Tsar and Empress Maria Feodorovna. Alexey fell and hit his forehead, as a result of which terrible swelling appeared on his face. Empress Maria Feodorovna wrote to her son from London with concern: “I heard that poor little Alexei hit his forehead, and such swelling appeared on his face that it was scary to look at, and his eyes were completely closed” 78 . It took three weeks for the effects of the injury to subside. In response, Nikolai wrote to his mother in London: “You are asking about little Alexei - thank God, his bump and bruises went away without a trace. He is cheerful and healthy, like his sisters" 79 . These were the first serious calls, but far from the last.

Tsarevich Alexei is carried in his arms by Sergeant Pilipenko. 1913

Later they all merged into a certain alarming background, to which the royal family got used to and adapted, but did not forget about it for a minute. From documents we learn about these “invisible” crises. Their seriousness is evidenced by the fact that surgeon S.P. Fedorov “in December (Christmas) 1908 was urgently summoned from Moscow” 80 to the Tsarevich.

In August 1912, the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Borodino took place in Moscow. The emperor really wanted to show the people a healthy heir and at least partially dispel the rumors that were associated with him, but another illness made this impossible. During all the ceremonies, he was carried in the arms of his uncle, the boatswain A.E. Village. Moscow governor, at that time V.F. Dzhunkovsky, noted: “It was painful to see the heir in such a position” 81.

Baptism of children

The baptism of a newborn child was an important part of not only religious rituals, but also everyday life. The concepts of “godfather” or “godmother” in Russia have never been an empty phrase.

Alexey's baptismal shirt

The procedure for baptizing a child is one of the well-established court ceremonies with a clear, once and for all defined ritual. Naturally, the entire “family” gathered for the ceremony. Naturally, the baptism was furnished with all possible traditional pomp. The child was placed on a pillow of gold brocade and covered with a heavy gold imperial robe lined with ermine. At the same time, the baptismal shirts of potential autocrats, pink for girls and blue for boys, were carefully preserved. The baptismal shirt of Tsarevich Alexei, who was baptized in Peterhof in the summer of 1904, has reached us.

It is noteworthy that the importance of the event was well understood, and they tried to record the baptism procedure itself. And not only in Chamber-Fourier magazines, but also visual means. We have reached us watercolors by the court artist Mihai Zichy, in which he depicted the baptism procedure of the future Nicholas II in May 1868. The archive contains an official photo album dedicated to the baptism of Nicholas II’s first daughter Olga in 1895.

She was baptized two weeks after giving birth. As a rule, where mothers happened to give birth. The baptism procedure began with a solemn procession to the temple. If baptism took place in a house church, then it was a solemn procession through the palace halls. If the church was located outside a residential residence, ceremonial carriages were used. Gilded carriages formed a ceremonial train, which was escorted by guards. Since Alexander II was born in Moscow, the rite of baptism over him was also performed in Moscow, in the church of the Chudov Monastery. It is noteworthy that the baby’s successor, the Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna, following the example of the mother of Peter the Great, placed the baby on the shrine where the incorruptible relics of St. Alexis, Metropolitan of Moscow, were located.

The parents, of course, were concerned about the baby’s health, lest he catch a cold or be dropped during the ceremony. Moreover, according to tradition, the child’s mother was not present at the baptism. The child's calmness during the baptism procedure was perceived as a favorable sign in his destiny. It is noteworthy that the highest puerperas periodically experienced psychosis, described today in medical literature. In May 1857, when Sergei Alexandrovich was baptized, Empress Maria Alexandrovna shared with her maid of honor her fears that the baby would “be drowned or strangled during the christening” 82 .

Mothers received gifts on the occasion of the baptism of their children. In April 1875, at the baptism of Grand Duchess Ksenia Alexandrovna, her mother, Tsarevna Maria Fedorovna, received two large pearls in earrings from Alexander II 83.

During the baptism procedure, the baby was carried in her arms by a lady of state, who was insured by “assistants.” Some of the state ladies managed to take part in the baptism of the two emperors. In 1796, the future Nicholas I was carried in the arms of State Lady Charlotte Karlovna Lieven, who was accompanied by Chief of the Horse L.A. Naryshkin and Count N.I. Saltykov 84. 22 years later, when the future Alexander II was baptized in Moscow on May 5, 1818, the same Charlotte Lieven carried the future emperor into the temple in her arms. It should be noted that the ladies of state fully understood their responsibility. Since they, as a rule, were already elderly women, they resorted to various tricks to insure themselves. For example, when the son of Nicholas II was baptized in 1904, State Lady Golitsyna carried a pillow of golden cloth on which the child lay, attaching it to her shoulders with a wide gold ribbon. In addition, she ordered rubber soles to be glued to her dress shoes so as not to slip. At the same time, she was supported by the arms of the master of ceremonies A.S. Dolgoruky and Count P.K. Benckendorff 85.

An important part of the baptism procedure was the selection of godmothers and fathers. As a rule, this issue was resolved not only taking into account palace arrangements, but also high politics. An invitation to godparents was a sign not only of good personal relationships, but also demonstrated the strength of political relations. In 1818, Alexander I himself, the Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna and his maternal grandfather Frederick William III, King of Prussia, became the successors of the future Emperor Alexander II. In 1857, the successors of the born Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich were the elder brother Tsarevich Nikolai Alexandrovich, Grand Duchess Ekaterina Mikhailovna 86, Grand Duke of Hesse Ludwig III and the Dowager Queen of the Netherlands Anna Pavlovna. In 1904, Tsarevich Alexei’s many godmothers included his older sister, 9-year-old Olga. Since Alexei is the only son of the Russian monarch, he had “serious” godfathers - King George V of England and German Emperor William II, Danish King Christian IX and Grand Duke Alexei Alexandrovich.

The older brothers and sisters of the newborn took part in the baptism procedure. For children, this became an important experience of participating in solemn palace ceremonies. We prepared for them, especially the girls. One of the daughters of Nicholas I recalled how they prepared for the christening of Konstantin Nikolayevich, born in September 1827: “For the christening, we curled our hair, put on low-cut dresses, white shoes and Catherine ribbons over our shoulders. We found ourselves very impressive and respectable. But - oh disappointment! – when Dad saw us from a distance, he exclaimed: “What monkeys! Now take off the ribbons and other decorations!” We were very sad." 87

An important part of the baptismal rite was the conferment of “status” orders on the baby. According to tradition at the end church service The Order of St. Andrew the First-Called was presented to the emperor on a golden platter, which he placed on the newborn. In addition to this order, the baby was “awarded” with the Orders of St. Alexander Nevsky, the White Eagle, as well as the highest degree of the Orders of St. Anne and Stanislav, was promoted to ensign and enrolled in one of the Life Guards regiments. Girls received the insignia of the Order of St. Catherine at baptism. The baptism ceremony ended with an evening gala dinner and sometimes illumination.

Cortege on the day of the baptism of Tsarevich Alexei on August 11, 1904. Procession from the Nizhnyaya Dacha to the Great Peterhof Palace

Cortege on the day of the baptism of Tsarevich Alexei on August 11, 1904. Procession to the Nizhnyaya Dacha from the Great Peterhof Palace

When in the 1840s. Children of the future Alexander II began to appear, the rite of their baptism was repeated down to the details. The first daughter of Alexander II was born on August 19, 1842. On August 30, her baptism ceremony took place in the church of the Great Catherine Palace of Tsarskoye Selo. According to her status, the first lady of the court, who was then the lady of state, Princess E.V., was supposed to carry the newborn. Saltykova. According to the requirements of the ceremony, she wore a “Russian” court dress, a kokoshnik with diamonds sewn on it, covered with a veil. According to tradition, the newborn was placed on a brocade pillow, which was held in the hands of the lady of state, and covered with a brocade blanket attached to the Countess's shoulders and chest. The pillow and bedspread were held by two noble courtiers.

It is noteworthy that at the baptism procedure, but behind the screens, there were also persons who provided the “technical side” of what was happening in case of various “children’s surprises”: an English woman, a nurse and a midwife. As the memoirist mentioned, the midwife was wearing an expensive silk dress and a blond cap, decorated with a diamond clasp and earrings 88 . The tradition of “technical personnel” being present at baptisms developed much earlier. Nicholas I, describing his baptism, mentions that “during the baptism ceremony, all the female servants were dressed in hoops and dresses with corsets, not even excluding the nurse. Imagine the strange figure of a simple Russian peasant woman from the outskirts of St. Petersburg in hose and a corset to the point of suffocation. Nevertheless, it was found necessary. Only my father, at the birth of Mikhail, freed these unfortunates from this ridiculous torture” 89. However, the presence of a nanny at the baptism ceremony was mandatory, since only a professional nanny could neutralize “surprises” on the part of the baby. Aristocrats did not have such “qualifications”, and it was not due to their status...

The English nanny of the children of Nicholas II describes in her memoirs how she was present as “technical staff” at the christening of two-week-old Maria Nikolaevna in 1899 in the house church of the Great Peterhof Palace. According to her recollections, the ceremony lasted more than two hours. The nanny was taken to the service premises next to the church, and one of the priests consulted the nanny, asking what temperature the water in the font should be for the Grand Duchess. The memoirist points out that the parents did not participate in the baptism procedure, and Maria Nikolaevna was dressed in a baptismal shirt, in which Nicholas II himself was baptized in May 1868.

It is noteworthy that although the baptism procedure was performed with all the required pomp, the singers in this case sang very quietly so as not to frighten the baby 90 .

The baptism of the future Alexander III took place on March 13, 1845 in the Great Church of the Winter Palace. Since the crown prince's chamberlain, Princess E.V. Saltykova was sick, and the baby was carried on a pillow by state lady M.D. Nesselrode, on the sides of her walked, supporting a pillow and a blanket, two of the most noble dignitaries of the Empire: Field Marshal General Prince of Warsaw Paskevich-Erivansky and Secretary of State Count Nesselrode, elevated to the rank of State Chancellor on the same day 91.

The baptism of the future Nicholas II took place on May 20, 1868 in the Great Church of the Winter Palace. Judging by M. Zichy’s watercolor, this procedure has the most Active participation was received by the grandfather, Alexander II, who, like everyone else, clearly understood that the baptism was taking place not just of his first grandson, but, perhaps, of the future emperor. The watercolor depicts four baptism scenes, and in two of them Alexander II holds his grandson in his arms. It is noteworthy that during the baptism, two emperors acted as assistants to the lady of state - Alexander II and her father, Grand Duke Alexander Alexandrovich (future) Alexander III. The fact that the father, breaking tradition, took an active part in the baptism was apparently due to the importance of what was happening. Two emperors, current and potential, held their next successor in their arms, strengthening the foundation of his legitimacy.

M. Zichy. Baptism led. book Nikolai Alexandrovich. 1868

A contemporary described this event as follows: “The christening of a newborn took place on May 20 in Tsarskoe Selo with particular solemnity. During the ceremonial procession through all the halls of the Great Tsarskoye Selo Palace to the palace church, the newborn was carried by the chamberlain, Princess Kurakina, supported on the one hand by the State Chancellor, Prince Gorchakov, on the other, by Field Marshal Prince Baryatinsky (the support was not very reliable, since both dignitaries themselves had trouble standing on their feet). The Sovereign and Grand Duchess Elena Pavlovna were the recipients, and, in addition, the Queen and crown prince Danish" 92.

It is noteworthy that both in 1845 and in 1868, the heads of the foreign policy department (Count Nesselrode and Prince Gorchakov) and two field marshals (Field Marshal General Prince of Warsaw Paskevich-Erivansky and Field Marshal Prince Baryatinsky) took part in the baptism of future emperors.

It is quite obvious that this was not an accident, this is a clear “trace” of observing the tradition of “previous years”.

Subsequently, in August 1904, Nicholas II, on the day of the baptism of his son Alexei, wrote in his diary: “August 11th. Wednesday. A significant day of the baptism of our dear son.” Of course, the fact of the birth and baptism of the first-born was “significant” for any monarch, since it “cast a bridge” to the next reign. The procedure for the baptism of the crown prince differed from the procedure for the baptism of his sisters only in a slightly greater pomp. The carriage with the baby was carried by 8 horses, not 6, like his sisters. All status differences were limited to this.

According to tradition, the baptism procedure ended with a large dinner, which was attended by persons of the first three classes. In 1857, after the baptism of Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich, 800 people were present at the “three-class dinner”.

Of course, during the responsible and crowded baptism procedure there was some fuss and complications. During the baptism of Anastasia, the fourth daughter of Nicholas II, the preparation of the celebration was “behind schedule,” and the golden carriage, in which Princess Golitsyna was with the child and her assistants, literally rushed through the streets. “The golden carriage, which is usually used for this ceremony, is of an old design, so the sides of both old men were badly dented” 93.

On December 12, Channel One will show the 8-episode film “Gregory R” (2014), dedicated to the last days of the reign of Emperor Nicholas II, as well as one of the most mysterious close associates of the royal family - elder Grigory Rasputin. Nicholas II and his family (wife and children) are the last representatives of the House of Romanov and the last rulers of the Russian Empire, shot by the Bolsheviks in July 1918.

In Soviet textbooks, the autocrat was presented as not interested state affairs“the strangler of freedoms,” and the Russian Orthodox Church (though already in our days) canonized the tsar as a martyr and passion-bearer. Let's figure out how modern historians evaluate the life and reign of Nicholas II.

Life and reign of Nicholas II

Tsar Nicholas II | Tradition

Nicholas, the eldest son of Emperor Alexander III, was born in Tsarskoe Selo on May 6 (18), 1868. The heir to the throne received a thorough education at home: he knew several languages, world history, understood economics and military affairs. Together with his father, Nikolai made many trips to the provinces of Russia.

Nicholas II in childhood | Tradition Alexander III did not make concessions: he wanted his offspring to behave like ordinary children - they played, fought, sometimes played pranks, but most importantly, they studied well and “didn’t think about any thrones.”

Contemporaries described Nicholas II as very easy to communicate with, full of true dignity as a person. He never interrupted his interlocutor or raised his voice, even to those of lower rank. The emperor was lenient towards human weaknesses and had a good-natured attitude towards ordinary people- to the peasants, however, he never forgave what he called “dark money matters”.

In 1894, after the death of his father, Nicholas II ascended the throne. The years of his reign came during a turbulent period in history. Revolutionary movements arose all over the world, and the First World War began in 1914. However, even in such difficult times, he managed to significantly improve the economic situation of the state.

Family of Nicholas II: the emperor and his wife Alexandra Feodorovna | Arguments and Facts

Here are just some facts about the reign of Nicholas II:

During his reign, the population of the empire increased by 50 million people.
4 million rubles left Alexander III as inheritance to children and kept in a London bank, were spent on charity.
The emperor approved all petitions for pardon that were sent to him.
The grain harvest has doubled.
Nicholas II carried out a military reform: he shortened the terms of service, improved living conditions for soldiers and sailors, and also contributed to the rejuvenation of the officer corps.
During the First World War, he did not sit in the palace, but took command of the Russian army, finally managing to repel Germany.
Royal family of Nicholas II | Kommersant

However, the emerging revolutionary sentiments increasingly captured people's thoughts. On March 2, 1917, under pressure from the high command, he handed over the Manifesto of Abdication, in which he bequeathed the army to obey the Provisional Government.

Modern historians believe that the Manifesto was a fake. In the original draft, Nicholas II only called for listening to your superiors, maintaining discipline and “defending Russia with all your might.” Later, Alekseev only added a couple of sentences (“For the last time I am addressing you...”) to change the meaning of the autocrat’s words.

Wife of Nicholas II - Alexandra Feodorovna

Empress Alexandra Feodorovna - wife of Nicholas II | Subscription to publications

Empress Alexandra Feodorovna (nee Princess Alice of Hesse-Darmstadt) was born on May 25 (June 6), 1872. She received a new name after baptism and marriage to Nicholas II. The future empress was raised by the English Queen Victoria, who adored her granddaughter.

Alice graduated from the University of Heidelberg with a Bachelor of Philosophy.

In May 1884, at the wedding of her sister Elizaveta Fedorovna, she met Nikolai Alexandrovich. The wedding took place on November 14 (26), 1894, just 3 weeks after the death of Emperor Alexander.

During the war, Empress Alexandra and the Grand Duchesses personally assisted in operations in hospitals, accepted amputated limbs from surgeons and washed purulent wounds. Empress Alexandra Feodorovna and Nicholas II | Arguments and Facts

Despite the fact that the empress was not popular in her new fatherland, she herself fell in love with Russia with all her soul. Doctor Botkin’s daughter wrote in her diary that after Nicholas II read out the manifesto on the war with Germany (her historical homeland), Alexandra cried with joy.

However, liberals considered her the head of the court Germanophile group and accused Nicholas II of being too dependent on his wife’s opinion. Because of the negative attitude, the once sparkling joy of the princess, the “ray of sunshine of Windsor” (as Nicholas II called Alexandra in his time) gradually became isolated in a narrow circle of her family and 2-3 close associates.

Her friendship with the elder, Siberian peasant Grigory Rasputin, caused a lot of controversy.

Children of Nicholas II

Nicholas II and his children | Sites - Google

The family of Nicholas II Romanov raised five children: four daughters (Olga, Tatiana, Maria, Anastasia) and a son, the heir to the throne, Alexei Nikolaevich.

Olga Nikolaevna Romanova

Family of Nicholas II - Grand Duchess Olga Nikolaevna | Wikipedia

Olga, the eldest daughter of Nicholas II, gave the impression of a gentle and fragile girl. WITH early years She had a passion for books and was a very erudite child. However, at times the Grand Duchess was hot-tempered and stubborn. Teachers noted that the girl had an almost perfect ear for music - she could play almost any melody heard somewhere.

Princess Olga did not like luxury and was distinguished by modesty. She didn’t like housework, but she enjoyed reading, playing the piano and drawing.

Tatyana Nikolaevna Romanova

Family of Nicholas II - Grand Duchess Tatyana Nikolaevna | Wikipedia

Tatyana Nikolaevna was born on May 29, 1897. As a child, what she loved most was riding a pony and a tandem bicycle with her sister Olga; she could spend hours wandering around the garden, picking flowers and berries.

Tatyana's character was similar to her mother: she laughed less often than the other sisters, and was often thoughtful and strict.

Unlike older sister, the girl loved to be in charge, and she was great at it. When her mother was away, Tatyana embroidered, ironed clothes and managed to look after the younger children.

Maria Nikolaevna Romanova

Family of Nicholas II - Grand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna | Wikipedia

The third daughter in the family of Nicholas II - Maria - was born on the night of June 14, 1899 at the summer residence in Peterhof. Very large and strong for her age, she later carried her brother Alexei in her arms when it was difficult for him to walk. Because of her simplicity and cheerful disposition, the sisters called her Masha. The girl loved to talk with the guard soldiers and always remembered the names of their wives and how many children they had.

At the age of 14 she became a colonel of the 9th Kazan Dragoon Regiment. At the same time, her affair with officer Demenkov broke out. When her lover went to the front, Maria personally sewed a shirt for him. In telephone conversations, he assured that the shirt was just right. Unfortunately, it's the end love story was tragic: Nikolai Demenkov was killed during the civil war.

Anastasia Nikolaevna Romanova

Family of Nicholas II - Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna | Wikipedia

Princess Anastasia was born when the family of Nicholas II and Alexandra already had three daughters. Outwardly she looked like her father, she often laughed and laughed loudly. From the diaries of those close to the royal family, you can find out that Anastasia had a very cheerful and even mischievous character. The girl loved to play lapta and forfeits, could tirelessly run around the palace, play hide and seek, and climb trees. But she was never particularly diligent in her studies and even tried to bribe teachers with bouquets of flowers.

Alexey Nikolaevich Romanov

Family of Nicholas II - son Alexey Nikolaevich | Wikipedia

The long-awaited son of Nicholas II and Alexandra Feodorovna was the youngest of the children of the royal couple. The boy was born on July 30 (August 12), 1904. At first, the Tsarevich grew up as a cheerful, cheerful child, but later a terrible genetic disease- hemophilia. This complicated the upbringing and training of the future emperor. Only Rasputin managed to find a way to alleviate the boy’s suffering.

Alexei Nikolaevich himself wrote in his diary: “When I am king, there will be no poor and unhappy people, I want everyone to be happy.”

Execution of Nicholas II and his family

Royal family of Nicholas II | All of Switzerland at your fingertips

After signing the manifesto, from March 9 to August 14, 1917, the royal family of Nicholas II lived under arrest in Tsarskoe Selo. In the summer they were transported to Tobolsk, where the regime was a little softer: the Romanovs were allowed to go across the street to the Church of the Annunciation and lead a quiet home life.

While imprisoned, the family of Tsar Nicholas II did not sit idle: the former monarch personally chopped wood and looked after the garden.

In the spring of 1918, the All-Russian Central Executive Committee decided to transfer the Romanov family to Moscow for trial. However, it never took place. On July 12, the Ural Council of Workers' Deputies decided to execute the former emperor. Nicholas II, Alexandra Feodorovna, their children, as well as Doctor Botkin and the servants were shot in Yekaterinburg in the “House of Special Purpose” on the night of July 17, 1918.

Alexandrovich (18.05.68 – 17. 07.18) - Emperor of the Russian Empire abdicated during the February Revolution of 1917 and, according to the decree of the Provisional Government, he and his family were under arrest, and then exiled to the city of Tobolsk. In the spring of 1918, the Bolsheviks moved him to Yekaterinburg, and where he, his wife, children and immediate circle were shot in July 1918.

Nikolai Alexandrovich's wife, Alexandra Feodorovna, was born in Darmstadt, Germany and was born Princess of Hesse-Darmstadt. Nicholas and Alexandra, being descendants German dynasties and having one ancestor - Frederick William II, King of Prussia, they were distant relatives to each other. The wedding of Nikolai and Alexandra took place on November 26, 1994 - almost a week after the funeral. The ceremony took place on the birthday of Maria Feodorovna, the Empress - which allowed to break the mourning.

Children of Nicholas II

In total, in the family of Nikolai Alexandrovich and Alexandra Fedorovna, there were five children: Olga, Tatyana, Maria, Anastasia and Alexey.

Olga

The first daughter, in the family of the autocrat, Olga was born on November 3, 1895, and grew up kind and sympathetic. More than other sisters, she loved to read and wrote poetry. The only one of the sisters who could openly object to her parents. There was a plan for Olga's marriage to Prince Carol, but Olga refused to leave Russia, explaining that she was Russian and would remain so.

Tatiana

The second daughter, Tatyana, was born on May 29, 1897. She loved to play with hoops and ride a horse. She was restrained in character, consistent in her actions and had a strong will. Of all the princesses, she was closest to Alexandra Feodorovna.

Maria

Born May 14, 1899. Large, cheerful and active, with dark brown hair and blue eyes. She had a good-natured character and loved to talk with people. As an example, she not only knew the guard soldiers by name, but remembered the names of their wives and the number of children in their families. Maria was tall and was very close to her father. She showed no interest in school sciences, but she had a talent for drawing.

Anastasia

The fourth daughter of the autocrat, Anastasia, was born on June 5, 1901. Outwardly, having inherited the facial features of her father, she looked like her grandmother, Maria Fedorovna. She had a high-pitched voice, spoke clearly but quickly, and loved to laugh loudly. She had a cheerful and mischievous character, loved outdoor games; She was close to her sister Maria and loved Alexei, her brother, very much.

Alexey The long-awaited heir to the throne, Tsarevich

Alexey, born on August 12, 1904 and named in honor of St. Alexei of Moscow. Through his ancestors on his mother's side, he inherited hemophilia. He had a calm, flexible character, loved his royal parents and sisters very much, and they reciprocated. Contemporaries described him as an intelligent and cheerful, affectionate and observant boy.

He was not particularly fond of science and was lazy in his studies. He was alien to arrogance and not arrogant, but had his own character, he obeyed only his father. The Tsarevich loved the Russian army and respected the simple warrior. Being the heir to the Throne, he was the chief of his regiments and the ataman of the Cossack troops, during World War I he visited the active army with his father-emperor, where he awarded soldiers who distinguished themselves in battle.

Family education

For the purposes of education, the living conditions in the royal family did not abound in luxury. The sisters lived two to a room, in a simple and modest environment. Younger children sometimes wore the clothes of their elders, from which they outgrew. They received pocket money for their expenses, which they sometimes used to buy each other small gifts. Contemporaries note the atmosphere of simplicity, love and harmony that dominated the family.

In relation to their mother, Alexandra Feodorovna, the children were always attentive and showed respect. Nikolai Alexandrovich was both a father and an emperor for them at the same time, their relationship with their father moved from love and friendship to deep worship.

Epilogue

The emperor (and his family) is glorified by the Orthodox Church as a passion-bearer and martyr.