#Princess Zenaida Yusupov

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Princess Zenaida Youssoupoff was much courted and admired in her youth. As her son, Felix, wrote, “She had numerous suitors from every country in Europe. But she refused all offers, even those of royalty, as she was determined to choose her own husband. My grandfather, who in his mind’s eye saw his daughter on a throne, lamented her lack of ambition. He was bitterly disappointed when he found that she had decided to marry Count Felix Sumarokov Elston, a mere officer in the Guards.”

According to family legend, it was Zenaida who made the first move and approached the handsome officer. Whether out of pride or shyness, Count Felix had originally admired Zenaida from a respectable distance. However, once she appeared to return his affections, the young man was suddenly armed with courage and went to Prince Nicholas to ask for her hand in marriage, saying, “I have only a modest fortune, but I don’t have a penny of debt!”

Zenaida’s father hesitated to grant permission for the marriage, not just for months, but for years! He had genuinely believed his daughter was destined for a grander match; however, she proved to be very much her father’s daughter. Just as the old Prince Youssoupoff had once refused to marry anyone but his choice, his daughter did the same.

The Prince came to terms with his daughter’s choice and gave his blessings. Finally, on April 4, 1882, 20-year-old Zenaida married her dashing groom, 25-year-old Count Felix Sumarokov-Elston. The ceremony was held in the private church inside the family’s Moika Palace. Zenaida would always remember not just her wedding anniversary with fondness but also her engagement.

On January 16, 1919, the anniversary of their engagement day, she wrote in her diary, “On this long-ago day, Felix gave me a bouquet of lilies of the valley, and every year on this day and hour, my dear bouquet appears, reminding me of the best day of my life.”

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Photographs: 1. Empress Maria Feodorovna holding her great-grandaughter Princess Irina Felixovna Yusupova (Bebe); sitting net to her are her granddaughter Princess Irina Alexandrovna and her daughter, Grand Duchess Xenia Alexandrovna; 2. Beautiful photo of Xenia with her grandaughter Bebe; 3. Bebe and her father, Prince Felix Yusupov; 4. Bebe and her paternal grandmother, Princess Zenaida Yusupova; 5. Princess Irina Felixovna Yusupova (Bebe)

Princess Irina Felixovna Yusupova (Bebe) (1915 - 1983)

Irina Felixovna (Bebe), was the only daughter of Princess Irina Alexandrovna, niece of Tsar Nicholas II, and Prince Felix Yousupov. She was born on May 21, 1915. She lived with Felix's parents until the age of nine. Later, Felix would say that his daughter was difficult to control because she was raised by nannies, and his mother Zenaida spoilt her. Most people said that Irina Felixovna was difficult to control because she had a personality very similar to that of her father. Bebe was closer to her father than to her mother.

Princess Irina Felixovna married Count Nikolai Dmitrievich Sheremetev. They had one daughter, Countess Xenia Nikolaevna Sheremeteva. Bebe died in 1983 in France where she is buried alongside her paternal grandparents and her parents.

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List l

List of individuals who left Yalta aboard the HMS Marlborough on Apr 7, 8, and 9 1919. 

1. Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna of Russia

2. Grand Duchess Xenia Alexandrovna of Russia

3. Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolaevich of Russia

4. Grand Duke Peter Nikolaevich of Russia

5. Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna of Russia

6. Grand Duchess Militza Nikolaevna of Russia

7. Prince Nikita Alexandrovich of Russia

8. Prince Rostislav Alexandrovich of Russia

9. Prince Feodor Alexandrovich of Russia

10. Prince Dmitri Alexandrovich of Russia

11. Prince Vassili Alexandrovich of Russia

12. Princess Marina Petrovna of Russia

13. Prince Roman Petrovich of Russia

14. Princess Olga Konstantinova Orlova (nee Beloselskaya-Belozerskaya)

15. Prince Nikolai Vladimirovich Orlov

16. Princess Nadezhda Petrovna Orlov (nee Princess Nadezhda Petrovna of Russia)

17. Princess Irina Nikolaevna Orlova (daughter of Nikolai & Nadezhda)

18. Prince Felix Felixovich Yusupov (the father)

19. Princess Zenaida Nikolaevna Yusupova

20. Gen. Prince Felix Felixovich Yusupov

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Princess Zenaida Youssoupoff and Grand Duchess Xenia

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In the center, Grand Duke Alexander, Princess Zenaida Youssoupoff, Grand Duchess Xenia, and Prince Felix Youssoupoff. 1903.

As always, much love and thanks to https://vk.com/lastromanovs.

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Portrait of Princess Zenaida Youssoupoff as a young girl by Jean Fouquet

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Princess Zenaida Youssoupoff with unknown woman

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Letter to Princess Zenaida Youssoupoff from Grand Duchess Elizabeth dated June 14, 1908. Word had reached the Grand Duchess of the scandal involving Prince Nicholas Youssoupoff's liaison with Countess Marina De Hayden.

"My dear Zinaida,

For a long time now I have wanted to write to you and say that I am with all my heart and thoughts with you and with your dear son, poor boy, how he must suffer! I don't know the details at all and even the facts themselves, I won't believe anything until I talk to you, how can you trust gossipers who love to repeat all sorts of nonsense! The only thing that can help you is unanimous compassion and tender participation in your misfortunes, whatever they may be, this is always a consolation. People can love, but alas they also love to talk randomly.

Poor Nikolai, at this age, every disappointment, every blow in life takes on such large proportions and makes you suffer so much. Young people always cause so much grief with their mistakes. We know better, we have gone through our own school of joys and sufferings, and we have more strength.

How is your husband? Tell him that my heart and thoughts are with him. May the Lord bless and strengthen you, and may this grief be erased by the joys to come.

Your dearly loving Elizabeth "

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Princess Zenaida Youssoupoff and her husband, Count Felix Sumarokov-Elston with two unknowns

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Portrait of Princess Zenaida Youssoupoff

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"Since her great sorrow, caused by the untimely death of her eldest son, Count Nicholas Soumarokoff-Elston, the Princess Youssoupoff leads a retired life and never goes to parties. Count Nicholas Soumarokoff-Elston was killed in a duel by Count Manteuffel, an officer in the Horse Guards. The mere sight of an officer of this regiment is unbearable to the bereaved mother, and she has vowed that not one of them shall ever pass the threshold of her house." -Russian Court Memoirs, 1914-1916

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Princess Zenaida Youssoupoff with Valentine Serov at Kokkoz. The Princess was still in mourning for her son, Nicholas who had been killed in a duel in 1908.

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Princess Zenaida Youssoupoff and Grand Duchess Xenia

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Princess Zenaida Youssoupoff in her famous salon. As you can see from photographs, aside from personal touches, the room has survived largely intact.

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Princess Zenaida Youssoupoff in costume for a ball in May 1888.

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Princess Zenaida Youssoupoff