The bust of Empress Maria (draft shown) will be based on the one of Alexander III, which was erected in 1903.  Copyright © Cultural Society Dagmaria

Plans are underway to install a bust of Empress Maria Feodorovna (born Danish Princess Dagmar) on the Kejserinde Dagmars Plads in Frederiksberg, Copenhagen later this year.

The foundation of the bust is copied from the monument of Emperor Alexander III (husband of Maria Feodorovna), which was erected in Fredensborg Castle park in 1903.

The bust of the Empress is created by sculptor Sergey Boguslavskiy.

The bust of Alexander III was erected in the park of Fredensborg Castle in 1903, nine years after the Emperor’s death, by the initiative of the neighbors of the Imperial villa, Kajservaj 1, Fredensborg. These people respected the Russian Emperor for his personal qualities and thus wished to honour his memory.

The Emperor bought the villa in 1885, and enjoyed it during numerous visits to “Father-in-law of Europe” – King Christian IX.

The project has been spearheaded by the Cultural Society Dagmaria, in Denmark, the bust will be erected in honour of the 400th anniversary of Romanov Dynasty in 2013.

© Cultural Society Dagmaria and Paul Gilbert @ Royal Russia. 26 January, 2013

In September 2006, the remains of the Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna were buried alongside those of her beloved husband, Emperor Alexander III at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in St. Petersburg.

The St. Petersburg Mint issued a special commemorative medal in honour of this historic event. Descendants of the Romanov dynasty were each issued one of these medals.

According to the tradition of the Imperial House of Romanov, gifts were distributed to members of the Imperial family marking important events, including coronations, births, marriages, deaths, etc.

The Mint produced commemorative medals and tokens to be distributed to family members, but also to the highest dignitaries, diplomats among others. The types of material and the size of the gift corresponded to the rank the individual held. Gold, silver and copper were the most common medals used to produce these items.

The 2006 commemorative medal was struck in silver and red brass. On the front artists produced a lovely portrait of the Dowager Empress. On the reverse artists depict an angel on the spire of the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul and the inscription, In Memory of the Burial. Saint Peter and Paul Cathedral. St. Petersburg. September 28, 2006.

© Paul Gilbert. 22 February, 2012 

The Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna died on 13 October, 1928 at Hvidøre near Copenhagen, she was 80 years old.

Her funeral took place at the Alexander Nevsky Church in Copenhagen, and she was later interred at Roskilde Cathedral.

© Royal Russia. 25 June, 2011