A selection of the photographs, documents and other items from the exhibit in Moscow 

The States Archives of the Russian Federation (GARF) in Moscow will host a new exhibit on the death of Tsar Nicholas II and his family starting May 25th.

The exhibit which opens in the Exhibition Hall of the Federal Archives focuses on the deaths of the last Russian Imperial family, along with their faithful retainers, and the investigative activities related to the search, identification and burial of their remains which lasted nearly a century - from 1918 to 2011.

This is the first time that an exhibition of this scale has been held. Included are the 1918 proceedings of the investigator of the Omsk District Court, Nikolai Sokolov; the photo reports of the "secret" archaeological expedition carried out by Geli Ryabov and Dr. Alexander Avdonin in 1978; investigative materials of the Prosecutor General of the Russian Federation; the Government Commission on the disposal of the royal remains in 1998; investigative materials from 2007; and the three-volumes of the Resolution of the Prosecutor General of the Russian Federation to dismiss the criminal case number 18/123666-93 titled Clarifying the Circumstances of the Death of Members of the Russian Imperial Family and their Entourage between 1918-1918 in the Urals and Petrograd.

Items from the collections of the Holy Trinity Monastery and Seminary in Jordanville, New York will also be displayed for the first time. For many years, Metrolpolitan Hilarion, the First Heirarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad collected and stored many items, including personal belongings of the Russian Imperial family. These included household items, clothing, icons, documents and photographs.

Also on display will be many rare items from other collections. Visitors will have the opportunity to examine facts relating to the shooting of the members of the Imperial family, including items used for the forensic and DNA tests carried out to help identify the remains. The blood-stained shirt worn by the Tsesarevich Nicholas Alexandrovich after the assassination attempt on his life in Japan in 1891 is on loan from the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg. The blood stains from this shirt aided researchers and scientists in identifying the remains of the Tsesarevich Alexis.

The exhibit will also feature the stories of those who participated in the murders of the Imperial family, as well as vintage newsreel and documentary film footage depicitng the private lives of Tsar Nicholas II and his family, which is currently stored at the archives.

The exhibit runs until July 29th in the Exhibition Hall of the Federal Archives which is located at ul. B. Pirogovskaya, 17 in Moscow. Admission is free!

© Paul Gilbert @ Royal Russia. 22 May, 2012

Speech by Emperor Nicholas II on the opening of the State Duma (Artist: V. Polyakov)  

This magnificent painting by the Russian artist, V. Polyakov shows the speech from the throne by Emperor Nicholas II on the occasion of the opening of the First State Duma of the Russian Empire on 27 April, 1906. The painting is from the collection of the State Museum of Political History of Russia, which is housed in the former mansion of the famous Russian ballerina Mathilde Kschessinska in St. Petersburg.

The State Duma was created after a wave of attacks against Imperial officials and public upheaval, which culminated in a national strike in October 1905, paving the way for Russia's first parliament. With the nation's infrastructure all but paralyzed, Emperor Nicholas II signed the historic manifesto of October 17, 1905, promising civil rights to the population and creating Russia's first parliament.

Grand Duchess Xenia Alexandrovna noted the event in her diary: "A day full of emotions!! And hopes for a better future!! Thank God, everything went off splendidly and with great solemnity - just as it should.

Mama got dressed upstairs, while Olga sat with us. Then we went to Nicky and Alix. The family were waiting in the rooms. The procession began at a quarter to two. Nicky walked alone, the crown and regalia were carried in front of him. In the Armoury Hall there were many society ladies with a large crowd of other people. From there the grand duchesses went through the Romanov gallery into the St. George Hall, where we took our places on a platform to the right of the throne. We were joined by the ladies-in-waiting, Mama, Alix and the duty guard. The Te Deum had already begun.

St. George's Hall in the Winter Palace (Artist: Konstantin Ukhtomsky, 1862) 

Directly opposite us were the members of the Council of State and high officials, to the left the members of the Duma, who included several men with repulsive faces and insolent disdainful expressions! They neither crossed themselves nor bowed, but stood with their hands behind their backs or in their pockets, looking sombrely at everyone and everything.

But among the peasants there were such wonderful faces, as well as several soldiers from the St. George cavlary, the Cossacks, etc. After the Te Deum Mama and Alix stood in front of us on the platform, with the grand dukes next to us on the steps of the throne - then Nicky mounted the steps and sat on the throne.

He did this with such simplicity, yet at the same time it was such a solemn moment! After this Count Fredericks handed him the speech, which he read standing, in a loud steady voice. Every word penetrated the sould - tears welled up in the throat.

We all experienced an incredible emotion, it's difficult to convey what we felt. It was a great historical moment, unforgettable for those who witnessed it. He spoke so well, saying just what was needed, asking everyone to come to his aid. When he finished, a cheer broke out, which was taken up by everyone including in the other halls - it sounded magnificent. The choir sang the anthem (it was all terribly emotional!)

We returned in the same order. I walked with Boris. Mama and Alix were crying and poor Nicky was standing there in tears - his self control finally overcome, he could not hold back his tears!"

© Paul Gilbert @ Royal Russia. 22 May, 2012

A bust of Tsar Nicholas II has been unveiled at the Church of St. Nicolas, located in Staroe Vagankovo near the Kremlin in central Moscow. The church was built at the place of the old chapel of the Forty Martyrs of Sebaste in the 18th century. The church was closed in 1924 and turned it into a warehouse of the Lenin Library. It was returned to the Russian Orthodox Church in 1992.

A bust of Tsar-Martyr Nicholas II has been installed in the courtyard of the church.

© Paul Gilbert @ Royal Russia. 21 May, 2012

The White Flower Day, an event originally initiated by members of the last Russian Imperial family was held today at the Martha and Mary Convent in Moscow.

Russia's first White Flower Day was originally held in 1911. The Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, aided by her four daughters, the Grand Duchesses Olga, Tatiana, Maria and Anastasia, and her son, the Tsesarevich Alexis, all took an active role in the making of crafts which were then sold to the public. The funds raised from the sale of these items, including bunches of white flowers were then distributed to local charities, who helped alleviate the suffering of those in need. 

The grand duchesses and the tsesarevich during the White Flower Day festivities at Livadia 

Visitors to the Martha and Mary Convent were invited to attend a liturgy in the church, followed by the charity fair on the grounds of the Convent. A string quartet from the Bolshoi Theatre performed in the garden. Other musical events included a concert from children by the parish choir.

Guests could also view the private rooms of the founder of the monastery, Martyr Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna. The monastery also hosted a unique photo exhibition entitled The Unknown Romanovs, which focused on the many deeds of charity work that Tsar Nicholas II and his family were involved in up until 1917. 

The charitable event was also held in other cities across Russia and the Ukraine, including Livadia in the Crimea, where it has become and annual event since 2005.

||| White Flower Day Returns to Livadia (2011) |||

© Paul Gilbert @ Royal Russia. 20 May, 2012

Grand Duke Kirill Vladimirovich, Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich & Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna 

Housed in a row of six rooms adjoining the suite of formal halls at the Catherine Palace, the Romanov Dynasty exhibition chronologically presents many personal items of the former crowned residents at Tsarskoye Selo: from Empress Elizabeth Petrovna to the last of the Romanovs, Emperor Nicholas II. Their personal characters, tastes and interests, are reflected in formal portraits, furniture, bronzeware, porcelain and other items from the museum collections, tell the story of their over-150-year life in the residence. Here is a selection of some of the portraits that grace these rooms. 

 

© Paul Gilbert @ Royal Russia. 19 May, 2012

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A Moscow museum head has been detained at an airport as he tried to smuggle in a 17th-century icon valued at $1 million that was stolen from Russia in 1994, police said, RIA Novosti reports.

The 62-year-old man, identified by the news site Life News as private Russian Icon museum director Nikolai Zadorozhny, was carrying the 1690 icon Old Testament Trinity (pictured above).

The work of art, which is credited to 18th century icon painter Kirill Ulanov, had been on an international wanted list since it was stolen from a museum in the central Vologda region in 1994.

Zadorozhny, who has a previous criminal record, denies any wrongdoing, claiming he bought it from a private holder in Germany.

Police said they acted on a tip.

© Russkiy Mir Info Service. 18 May, 2012

Ostankino is the former summer residence of the Sheremetev family 

In a ceremony presided by the Austrian Ambassador, a stolen art work has been returned to its home museum of Ostankino just outside Moscow.

The item is a large 18th-century porcelain relief portrait featuring the profile of Emperor Peter the Great. It disappeared from the museum in 1996 and turned up in 2011 at a Vienna auction. The Austrian authorities wasted no time in seizing it.

© The Voice of Russia. 17 May, 2012

The information department of the Russian Orthodox Church has opened a Facebook account called Patriarch Kirill to inform internet users about his life and work, a deputy chief spokesman for the patriarch said on Tuesday.

“It is not a personal page of Patriarch Kirill. It is an official information resource of the Moscow patriarchate maintained by the Synod information department,” said Deacon Alexander Volkov, adding that the account would not make it possible to contact the church leader personally.

The Facebook account offers rare photos of Kirill, including some from his younger years.

The partriarch’s press service already has a separate Facebook account and LiveJournal includes a web page on Patriarch Kirill. In 2010, the Russian Orthodox Church opened its own YouTube channel.

© RIA Novosti. 16 May, 2012

Today marks the 145th anniversary of the Russian Red Cross, one of the world’s oldest humanitarian organizations, established by the Russian Imperial family. It was on 15th May, 1867 that Emperor Alexander II approved the first Charter of the Russian Society of the Red Cross (RSRR), thus initiating its development in Russia. The Red Cross was under the patronage of the Empress up until 1917. 

At the outbreak of World War I members of the Russian Imperial family became actively involved with the Russian Red Cross. Empress Alexandra and her two eldest daughters, the Grand Duchesses Olga and Tatiana enrolled as trainee nurses. Hospitals under the patronage of the Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, the Dowager Empress Marie Feodorovna among others including the more senior grand duchesses played a key role in the care of wounded soldiers from the Front.

Pictured above are medical personnel and wounded Russian soldiers at a hospital established in one of the tsar's palaces. Seated in the second row are the Grand Duchesses Anastasia, Maria, Olga, their mother, Empress Alexandra, and Grand Duchess Tatiana. The photograph was taken in 1915.

The Red Cross with Imperial Portraits Egg is a jewelled and enamel Easter egg made by Henrik Wigstrom, under the supervision of Karl Faberge in 1915. It was made for Emperor Nicholas II, who presented the egg to his mother, the Dowager Empress Marie, in the same year.

The surprise inside was a hinged, folding screen of five oval miniatures of women from the Russian Imperial family, each wearing the uniform of the Red Cross. The portraits depict Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna (Nicholas II's sister), Grand Duchesses Olga and Tatiana (Nicholas II's eldest daughters), Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, and Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna (Nicholas II's first cousin). 

The Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna served with the Russian Red Cross during the 1877 Russo-Turkish War, and was later President of the Red Cross from 1894 until her death in 1928. When the Tsar presented her with the Red Cross With Imperial Portraits Egg in 1915, she was still serving as Head of the Russian Branch of the International Red Cross.  

© Paul Gilbert @ Royal Russia. 15 May, 2012

Interview with Richard Fitzwilliams, royal commentator.

Prince Michael is the Queens’s first cousin and his grandfather King George V was the first cousin of Tsar Nicholas.

And I believe even his name has a Russian connection, is that correct?

It is, indeed. He is named after the Grand Duke Michael Alexandrovich who was the younger brother of Tsar Nicholas.

And I think for most people in Britain, if they’ve ever seen these old photographs of the Russian Tsar Nicholas, Prince Michael has a beard like the Tsar did and there is a remarkable physical resemblance, isn’t there?

There is an extraordinary physical resemblance. If you were casting a film and wanted a character to play the Tsar, he seems almost a double. I think one of the reasons that he has taken such an enormous amount of trouble – firstly to learn Russian which he did in the 1960’es, he became an army interpreter in 1968, he spent 20 years in the army, retiring in 1981…

So, his Russian is actually quite good.

His Russian is extremely good. And after the fall of the Soviet Union, since 1992 he has been to Russia around 50 times. He is the patron of the Russo-British Chamber of Commerce and also he has devoted a great time it seems to becoming popular with Russia by narrating. For example at the documentary about the tragic fate of the Tsar and his family, and of course one bears in mind that there is a certain guilt in Britain on the subject because of course they did not receive asylum in Britain of the royal doubts, over the reception this would receive publically.

And whose decision was that in the end not to allow the Russian royal family to claim asylum here?

Ultimately it was the decision of George V. It was something I suspect he felt extremely guilty about. And there is no doubt, I think that has been perhaps one of the reasons that Prince Michael is doing what he is doing. It is important to remember that as the second son of the fourth son of George V he does not undertake official royal duties, his brother does, he doesn’t. But he has taken on an unpaid royal role whilst being a business consultant and he represented the Queen when abroad, he and his wife Baroness Marie Christine von Reibnitz, whom he married in 1978, she was the Roman Catholic and on that basis he was departed from the line of succession, they have represented the Queen abroad at certain occasions and in certain countries. But he does not actually undertake official royal engagements, he is a business consultant. He is also very well known as a free Mason, he is the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge and he is attached to about a hundred charitable organizations in one sort or another.

People outside England or Britain may not understand that just being the Queen’s cousin is not necessarily a route to riches, is it? I mean he doesn’t actually get paid by the state.

Only the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh receive money from the civil list which is funded by the state. Certain other members of the royal family receive what is called a parliamentary annuity and then the Parliament is refunded by the Monarch from the revenues of the Duchy of Lancaster. It is important that listeners realize that being a member of the British royal family does not mean you receive state funding. He has to make his way on his own. And that has obviously involved him in various business ventures but has posed enormous emphasis because of his background on charitable activities.

Do we actually know very much about, I mean it seems there is almost a genetic legacy that he should have a connection to Russia. Do we know exactly what he’s done in Russia or what he likes doing in Russia?

We know that he goes to Russia and has a charitable foundation there. We know also, according to British press anyway, that he is popular in Russia. We know most importantly that in 1998 when the Tsar and his family were buried with the ceremony in St. Petersburg that Prince Michael attended. I guess it was a somewhat controversial ceremony in Russia under the President Yeltsin. And there is little doubt, he sees this as an integral part of the function that he has taken on.

© The Voice of Russia. 15 May, 2012