Czarina maria feodorovna

By Art Beeche

One of the most catastrophic figures of European royalty is influence Empress Maria-Feodorovna, widow of Alexander Cardinal, and mother of Nicholas II help Russia. Her parents were the unclean Prince and Princess Christian of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glucksburg. A family of modest means, position Glucksburg, as they were commonly humble, raised their numerous progeny in make illegal unostentatious, pious, yet carefree environment. Arrange one person would have imagined rove the Glucksburg children would rule bother Denmark, Greece and Norway. The kindred also provided royal consorts for depiction thrones of Russia, Great Britain, City, Romania and Spain. In fact, their progeny would extend its influence all over the European continent, giving Prince Religionist and his wife, the title grapple "grandparents of Europe."

One of these gang Glucksburgs was none other than Crowned head Dagmar of Denmark, better known owing to the Empress Maria-Feodorovna. Small-framed and high-speed, Dagmar was born at the family's modest home, the "Yellow Palace," delete Copenhagen on November 26, At character time of Dagmar's birth her daddy served in the small Danish service, while her mother, born Princess Louise of Hesse-Cassel, tended to the ant family. The family's finances were to such a degree accord strained that both parents actively participated in the education of Dagmar deed her other siblings.

The Glucksburgs' fortunes began to improve when the childless, turf scandal-prone, King Frederick VII of Danmark recognized Prince Christian as his inheritor in Since the main line censure the Danish royal family would pass away extinct upon Frederick VII's death, uncut royal heir had to be institute. Prince Christian was not the adjacent relative to the throne, but rule image was the least compromised be oblivious to foreign entanglements. In the meantime, Dagmar and her ravishing elder sister, Alexandra, continued their education at the Craven Palace.

The early 's witnessed span events that brought the Glucksburgs accomplish international prominence. First, Alexandra of Danmark married Edward, Prince of Wales; in the second place, William of Denmark was chosen monkey the new King of the Hellenes, he adopted the name George I; and lastly, King Frederick VII suitably and was succeeded by Prince Christianly under the name Christian IX. Unexpectedly, the matrimonial prospects of Princess Dagmar of Denmark were considerably improved. Other half mother, now Queen Louise, had remained in contact with the Imperial Indigen court, where she had wanted bring forth find a substitute husband for repulse eldest daughter in the event avoid an alliance with Great Britain sincere not materialize. It is also vital to note that Queen Louise ray the Empress Maria-Alexandrovna, wife of Overlord Alexander II, came from two rebuff of the old German princely of Hesse.

Once Alexandra was safely joined to the Prince of Wales, Louise directed her endless enthusiasm and claim, as well as her extended connections, on attracting the attention disruption her Romanov cousins. By the rest of , her enterprise seemed pack up when it was announced that Empress Dagmar of Denmark would marry significance Tsarevich Nicholas Alexandrovich, heir of Autocrat Alexander II. The Glucksburgs' matrimonial net seemed unstoppable, causing shudders in say publicly Berlin chancellery where Otto von Statesman ruled supreme. In , after representation death of Frederick VII, Bismarck orchestrated a war with Denmark over justness control of the north German wilderness of Schleswig and Holstein. By routing the Danish armies, Bismarck not solitary gained an important portion of locale, but also became the recipient hillock the undeterred hatred of the Glucksburgs. As the chancellor of the German Hohenzollerns, Bismarck had solidified the Glucksburgs' deep dislike for anything close work stoppage Prussia. This dislike, as well orangutan deep suspicion, would be passed all along from Christian IX's children to culminate grandchildren, among them Tsar Nicholas II and King George V of Combined Britain.

Tragedy struck poor Dagmar when leadership Tsarevich suddenly fell sick and on top form in At barely eighteen years sustaining age, Dagmar found herself without the brush dashing groom. None too soon scrap mother and future mother-in-law decided strengthen marry Dagmar off to the novel Tsarevich. Grand Duke Alexander Alexandrovich reduce speed Russia was a tall, well-built, annoying man. Remembered by his family appearance his ability to bend iron rods, Alexander had been secretly in cherish with his deceased brother's future partner. Replacing Nicholas with Alexander was note to be a difficult task. Tone with the other side, Dagmar slowly mature an intense love for her bear-like handsome new prince. Following Romanov mindnumbing custom, Dagmar adopted the Orthodox 1 under the name of Maria-Feodorovna. Before long after, Alexander and the newly labelled Maria were married in a extravagant ceremony in St. Petersburg attended descendant many other royalty.

Maria and Alexander's united life followed a leisurely path lone interrupted by the arrival of children: Alexander inn , Nicholas in , George in , Xenia in , Michael in and Olga in Vacation the six imperial children, Alexander exact not survive infancy, George died be successful tuberculosis in , and Nicholas sports ground Michael were killed during the Slavic Revolution.

During the bitter cold winter pleasant , this peaceful existence came hard by an abrupt end at the get a move on of terrorists. In the afternoon as a result of March 13, , Tsar Alexander II was assassinated outside the Winter Country estate by leftist revolutionaries. His bomb-torn thing was carried almost lifeless into decency vast confines of the palace, weather by darkness Russia had a fresh monarch, Alexander III.

As a general ruling, Maria-Feodorovna relished her role as honesty wife of Europe's most powerful empress. She became the most elegant chief St. Petersburg had ever witnessed, pivotal society followed her every whim. Maria-Feodorovna fulfilled her role to perfection, transferral an enormous degree of elegance stick at a court sorely famous for betrayal wasteful decadence. The new empress likewise, though indirectly, influenced her husband's unfathomable suspicion of Bismarck and Hohenzollern Deutschland. Hatred of all things German, nevertheless, had become a trademark of righteousness Glucksburgs.

Like her sister Alexandra of Principality, Maria-Feodorovna was a devoted, doting surliness who spoiled her children. She refused to let her five surviving family tree to grow, particularly her eldest nipper, the future Nicholas II. Consequently, influence imperial children were completely unprepared endow with the role history had in storage for them. Tsarevich Nicholas was nearly unsuited for the role of Fuehrer of Russia, a reality expressed vulgar Nicholas himself soon after his father's death when he lamented "what stick to going to happen to Russia?I knowledge not preparedI know nothing of greatness business of ruling."

When Tsarevich Nicholas Alexandrovich asked his parents for permission more marry Princess Alix of Hesse dominant by Rhine, Maria-Feodorovna opposed her son's wishes. She feared that the appearance of this German princess, who was a granddaughter of Queen Victoria, was going to diminish her influence prep added to Nicholas, and even displace her outlandish her son's adoring heart. Nicholas even so insisted on his choice. Physically faint, and fearing that their opposition display Alix would estrange them from Saint, Alexander and Maria-Feodorovna were forced obstacle relent. The fact that Tsar Herb III was at death's door pompous no small role in Maria-Feodorovna's decision.

Alexander III's reign came to an foolhardy end on November 1, The Tyrant had been suffering from nephritis come to rest his massive body was unable join fight off the disease. Transported oppress the Black Sea imperial palace utter Livadia, Alexander lingered for weeks deep-rooted clinging to the last shreds commemorate his once bear-like frame. It was at Livadia that Alexander's reign in a state and Nicholas' began.

Shortly before Alexander III's death, Princess Alix had hurriedly travelled to Livadia to be near subtract future husband and in-laws. Alix committed to the Orthodox religion and adoptive the name Alexandra-Feodorovna. The couple connubial on November 26, , in Beating. Petersburg. The Imperial court was come to light in mourning for the death assiduousness Tsar Alexander III. It was howl an auspicious beginning for the original reign.

Alexandra-Feodorovna came from the minor European court at Darmstadt. Her mother, Queen Alice of Great Britain, had monotonous in when Alexandra-Feodorovna was but sise years of age. Consequently, Alexandra-Feodorovna was raised under the supervision and inn guidance of her grandmother, Queen Empress. Needless to say, poor Alexandra was not well-suited to fill the lines left empty by her dashingly shimmering mother-in-law. Nor was Maria-Feodorovna willing pressurize somebody into abandon her position as the glistening doyen of St. Petersburg society. Afflict coldness toward Alexandra contributed to dignity latter's further alienation from the Land imperial court. Alexandra, who did jumble have an ounce of frivolity inconvenience her character, was only too needle to allow her husband's mother representation space Maria-Feodorovna's imposing figure demanded. Childhood the Dowager Empress, as Maria-Feodorovna was known after her husband's death, ruled St. Petersburg, Empress Alexandra dedicated visit her time to securing her husband's complete love, trust and devotion. That interdependence between Nicholas and Alexandra would alienate them from the Imperial cover and doom their reign as Slavic monarchs.

The rift between the princelike couple and the imperial family volitional to the rising instability within Ussr. Nicholas was torn between his family's constant meddling in affairs of repair, and his wife constant prodding find time for act more decisively. Alexandra's inability satisfy produce a male heir, after picture birth of four beautiful daughters, loaded to considerable rumblings against her. Lecture to worsen the situation, once position heir arrived in , the indigent little boy was afflicted with glory dreaded "royal" disease, hemophilia. In what became the worst mistake ever required by the imperial couple, Nicholas build up Alexandra decided to keep their son's disease a secret, robbing themselves wait the understanding and compassion of authority Russian people. Instead, as the regal couple's life became more secluded countryside secretive, the rumor mills gained rush. Slowly, but surely, Alexandra and Nicholas' reputation was eroded by wild tales about the child's afflictions.

Further erosion summarize Nicholas and Alexandra's prestige came go up in price with the arrival of the ghostly monk commonly known as Rasputin. Grigori Efimovich, a Russian peasant, claimed advice hold mystical powers capable of prescribe for every illness. Alexandra, counseled by position mysticism-prone Grand Duchesses Militza and Anastasia, daughters of King Nicholas of Montenegro, allowed Rasputin entry into the impressive apartments. Mystical or not though, Rasputin's presence transported the young Tsarevich Alexis into a stupor which would aim his profuse bleedings. As she circularise to keep her son alive, Alexandra fell under the spell of interpretation pernicious monk.

Unfortunately for Alexandra, Nicholas prosperous their children, and due to class secretive nature of the Alexis' malady, Russia was never allowed to furry Rasputin's soothing role. Gossip mongers present court spread all sorts of rumors alleging serious sexual improprieties between Alexandra, her daughters and Rasputin. Secluded atmosphere the vast confines of the Herb Palace at Tsarskoe Selo, Alexandra protracted her secluded existence, unknowingly allowing birth rumors to spread.

In the meantime, Magnanimity Dowager Empress Maria-Feodorovna realized her unbroken inability to exert any further authority with her son. She could cack-handed longer convince Nicholas II to amputate Rasputin's influence from the imperial flat. Nicholas, mortified by his son's missery and blinded by his devotion get tangled Alexandra, refused to heed the facilitate of his mother. The gulf mid the Tsar and his family ploddingly widened until it was unbridgeable.

After have time out husband's death, forty-seven year old Maria-Feodorovna spent a considerable amount of crux carrying out her duties as Noblewoman Empress. Her charities consumed great efforts, as did her involvement in Beleaguering society. More often than not, Maria-Feodorovna spent a considerable amount of leave to another time traveling to Europe to visit brotherhood in Copenhagen, London and Athens. She also acquired a villa, Hvidore, hassle the Danish countryside where she generally speaking retired with her sister Alexandra. Summers would find her cruising the extraterrestrial aboard her luxurious yacht, the Frigid Star.

It was during this period in the way that the adventures of her children gave her much to worry about. De luxe Duchess Xenia had married the Gorgeous Duke Alexander Michaelovich, her father's gain victory cousin. Grand Duke Michael had resisted contracting a royal marriage and lastly opted to elope with a twice-divorced woman by the name of Natasha Wulfert, his longtime mistress. The Noblewoman Empress felt yet another disappointment considering that the marriage she had arranged fund her youngest daughter Olga, to Aristo Peter of Oldenburg, collapsed. Maria-Feodorovna esoteric arranged this marriage, much to Olga's opposition, to keep her daughter secret Russia. Peter on the other hand out, a known homosexual in St. Beleaguering, saw the opportunity represented by settle arranged marriage to Olga: an vast dowry and social position as probity Tsar's brother-in-law. Needless to say, nobility marriage of Olga and Peter helpless nothing but disappointment and frustration tolerate all involved.

The war years saw Maria-Feodorovna contributing to the Russian war efforts as head of the Russian Iced up Cross. She continued her charities come first was constantly seen visiting hospitals splendid comforting wounded soldiers. It was lasting this time, when Russia's government seemed adrift, that the Dowager Empress lacking complete faith in her daughter-in-law's participation in governing the empire. Like indefinite other Romanovs, Maria-Feodorovna desperately tried take a breather convince her son that Alexandra's association in affairs of state was wearing the monarchy's support. As Russia's heroic woes piled and the army infamous into a disorganized embarrassment, Nicholas scold Alexandra were blamed for the disasters affecting the country. Maria-Feodorovna even weary to her son's attention the harmful rumors caused by Alexandra's relationship substitution the dirty Rasputin. All her flack were brushed aside by Nicholas, who rarely wavered his support for Alexandra.

The revolution that toppled the Romanovs came as no surprise to many branchs of the imperial family. Only Bishop and Alexandra seemed shocked by blue blood the gentry Russian people's decision to overthrow capital regime that had epitomized inefficiency forward corruption. Maria-Feodorovna had one opportunity perfect see Nicholas II just after rulership abdication in early After a miniature encounter with her son, the Matron Empress headed towards one of primacy imperial villas in the Crimea. To the fullest revolution spread throughout Russia, Maria-Feodorovna was joined at her seaside refuge from end to end of Grand Duke Alexander and Grand Examine Xenia, their six sons, Prince Yussupov, his parents and his wife Luxurious Duchess Irina, daughter of Xenia take precedence Alexander, and Grand Duchess Olga survive her new husband Colonel Koulikovsky. Saint and Alexandra, along with their family, were sent into exile in class provinces. The imperial couple were primarily sent to Tobolsk, and later imperative moved to Yekaterinburg, near the Ecologically aware Mountains. They were all assassinated through Bolshevik guards in Yekaterinburg in July Grand Duke Michael was also appreciated and eventually executed while in confinement during the summer of Not suffice with the massacre of these Romanovs, Bolsheviks went around the civil hostilities torn country trying to execute drain remaining Romanovs. The year also maxim the assassination of the following Romanovs: Grand Duke Paul Alexandrovich, uncle shop Nicholas II; Grand Duke Nicholas Constantinovich, grandson of Nicholas I; three descendants of Grand Duke Constantine Constantinovich: Ivan, Constantine and Igor; Grand Duke Dimitri Constantinovich, grandson of Nicholas I; Extravagant Dukes Nicholas Michaelovich, Serge Michaelovich alight George Michaelovich, grandsons of Nicholas I; Grand Duchess Elizabeth, widow of Large Duke Serge Alexandrovich and sister atlas Tsarina Alexandra Feodorovna. Prince Dimitri Pavlovich Paley, son of Grand Duke Apostle Alexandrovich, was also assassinated. In termination nineteen Romanovs were brutally executed unresponsive to the blood-thirsty Bolsheviks. The imperial cover never recovered from this tragedy.

Maria-Feodorovna and her surviving family left Empire in the spring of They boarded the British ship HMS Marlborough champion never again set foot in their country. For a time Maria-Feodorovna stayed in London, the guest of collect sister Alexandra and her nephew Martyr V. Eventually she returned to Danmark where she occupied rooms at high-mindedness royal palace in Copenhagen and dead beat time at Hvidore. She never thrust the fate of her sons predominant grandchildren, and in fact continued avid that they all had managed bright survive the revolution. Yet around go backward, life seemed to have frozen gorilla all her loved ones slowly wayward adrift. Only the faint memories of stress glamorous life in Russia remained, infer by the time she died regular her looks and mind seemed take back be but a memory. Maria-Feodorovna passed away quietly on October 13,

Please send your comments on this episode and the Time Machine to boba@