#tsesarevich

[fauxfickle]

If the hull ain't built like a pixar mom, I don't want it

[thepastisalreadywritten]

BORN ON THIS DAY:

Alexei Nikolaevich (12 August [O.S. 30 July] 1904 – 17 July 1918) was the last Tsesarevich (heir apparent to the throne of the Russian Empire).

He was the youngest child and only son of Emperor Nicholas II and Empress Alexandra Feodorovna.

He was born with haemophilia — inherited from his mother Alexandra, an X chromosome hereditary condition that typically affects males, which she had acquired through the line of her maternal grandmother, Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom.

It was known as the "Royal Disease" because so many descendants of the intermarried European royal families had it (or carried it, in the case of females).

In 2009, genetic analysis determined that Alexei had hemophilia B.

[postcard-from-the-past]

Russian battleship Tsesarevich in Port Arthur, modern-day Lüshunkou, China

Russian vintage postcard, mailed in 1904 from Moscow to France

[romanovsonelastdance]

Emperor Nicholas II with son Alexei and daughter Tatiana.

[otmaaromanovas]

Want to address a myth I just saw - Alexei was not forbidden to ride horses or donkeys. He even had his own donkeys, such as Vanka! It was known that the Tsesarevich kept donkeys, as the Italian royal family gifted Alexei a fabulous harness for Vanka in 1909, pictured below.

Whilst his horse/donkey rides were supervised, many people greatly exaggerate how protected Alexei was. Pierre Gilliard even convinced the Tsar and Tsarina to let him have more freedom, so he could learn the boundaries of his health and prevent turning an "already physically delicate child into a characterless individual, without self-control and backbone, even in the moral sense." Upon suggesting this, Nicholas and Alexandra "entirely agreed with me".

Alexei rode horses, donkeys, cycled, ran around, played (including with scissors and toy weapons), had a cat and dogs, went on boats, swam, rode in carriages, sailed, sled, climbed on snow mountains, swung and fell off hammocks...

(gifs by the fantastic ohsoromanov)

Of course, there were limits to this, and Alexei was closely supervised. But quotes suggesting he was 'forbidden' from having fun, playing games, riding horses, and was miserable etc, never have any sources attached either... because it's not true :P I'll make a longer post on this another time

Sources

Pierre Gilliard, Thirteen Years at the Russian Court, trans. F. Appleby Holt, (London: Hutchinson & Co, 1921), pp. 40-41

J. C. Trewin, Sydney Gibbes, Tutor to the Tsarevich: An Intimate Portrait of the Last Days of the Russian Imperial Family, (New York: Stein & Day, 1975)

[blonndiec]

🦢🌠 Far Longer Than Forever / / A preview into some summers in the future...

Here is an excerpt of the summer when Tsesarevich Viktor is 23 and Prince Yuuri is 19. What lead them to this point -from enemies to reluctant friends, to Viktor and Yuuri finally becoming friends and closer- is an incredible build up. This moment, however, is like the calm before the storm. By the way, this is how I imagine Empress Elena, she was so young still when the late Tsar (Viktor's father) passed away, so she will look incredible for many years (Joely Richardson really makes me think about Empress Elena) 1, 2, 3

Viktor’s eyes scanned the reports in front of him, each word blending into the next as his mind wrestled with the aftermath of the rebellion in the far eastern provinces. He’d been going through the latest patrol updates and status reports for hours now, his brow furrowed in concentration. The rebellion had taken its toll on him, and the remnants of battle still clung to his thoughts. His time on the battlefield had been grueling but necessary, leaving him more hardened, more muscular, and more resolute than ever.

His silver hair, now cropped short since returning from the front lines, had become a constant reminder of those months spent fighting for the empire. Three summers ago, he had cut it in preparation for the campaign, but now, after all he had endured, the look felt fitting—clean, sharp, and disciplined, much like the man he had become.

Despite his focus, there was something else tugging at the edges of his mind, a quiet, persistent thought that had been hovering for days now. Yuuri. Each month, and sometimes as frequently as every three weeks, a letter would arrive from the East Sun Empire. The back-and-forth correspondence between them had become a ritual—one Viktor cherished more than anything. He counted the days between each letter, the travel time of merchants and messengers stretching from three to four weeks depending on the weather and the state of the roads.

His heart would lift when the letters arrived, filled with Yuuri’s perfect, beautiful calligraphy. The letters were always so personal, so full of Yuuri’s thoughts and feelings, that they had become Viktor’s lifeline in these months of political chaos and military duty. And now, any day—any moment—there would be a new one.

The sudden knock on the door broke Viktor from his daydreaming. His butler, Zeigest, entered the room with his usual quiet precision. In his hands, Viktor immediately recognized the familiar cream-colored envelope, marked with the distinct seal of the East Sun Empire.

"A letter for you, Your Highness," Zeigest announced as he stepped forward.

Viktor’s heart skipped a beat. He had known this letter was coming, but the sight of it still sent a rush of excitement through him. He scrambled to reach for it, nearly knocking over his chair in the process.

Zeigest stood stoically, his face betraying no amusement at the Tsesarevich’s eagerness, but Viktor could tell there was a flicker of understanding in his eyes.

As Viktor held the letter, savoring the weight of it in his hands, a familiar voice drifted through the doorway.

“What’s the meaning of all this noise?” Empress Elena, his mother, peeked her head into the study, raising an amused eyebrow at the sight of her son’s hasty actions.

Zeigest responded in his usual calm tone. “His Highness was reacting to receiving a letter from the Moon of the East Sun Empire, Your Majesty.”

At that, a knowing smile spread across the Empress’s face. She gave Viktor a long, thoughtful look.

“Oh, I see.” she said, humming with a mixture of amusement and quiet approval before disappearing back into the hallway. He set the letter down, staring at it for a long moment, his mind racing with thoughts of their impending reunion. There was so much he wanted to say to Yuuri, so much he felt but hadn’t yet found the courage to voice aloud. Their friendship had deepened over the past few years, growing into something Viktor could no longer define as simple childhood friendship. It was more than that—something he was only just beginning to realize.

But with that realization came the fear—the worry that if he allowed his heart to speak too openly, he might ruin the closeness they had. Viktor swallowed hard, running a thumb over the edge of Yuuri’s letter.

Yet, the thought of Yuuri’s imminent arrival sent a thrill through him, one that overpowered his doubts. He could no longer ignore what he felt. Yuuri's coming. The words echoed in Viktor’s mind as he leaned back in his chair, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. The smile that tugged at his lips was soft, genuine, as he stared at the letter once more.

This summer was going to be different.

And Viktor wasn’t sure if he could keep pretending it was only friendship anymore. --

You can READ the story so far here

[ykzzr]

The imperial family on the skating rink in the garden of the Anichkov Palace 1890.

Tsar Alexander III, Tsesarevich Nicholas Alexandrovich, Grand Duchess Xenia Alexandrovna, Grand Dukes George Alexandrovich, Mikhail Alexandrovich, Alexander Mikhailovich and Sergei Mikhailovich.

[empress-alexandra]

Grand Duchesses Olga, Tatiana, Maria and Anastasia with their brother Grand Duke Alexei, Darmstadt, 1910.

[krasivaa]

Super cute photos of Princess Ileana of Romania and Tsarevich Alexei Nikolaevich of Russia ✨

[romanov-ramblings]

Photographic views of the apartments of the Governor's Mansion in Mogilev - Stavka, or GHQ (General Headquarters) during the Great War - when His Majesty, Tsar Nicholas II was in residence. Spartan at first, the Emperor made use of what he was given. The first two photographs show the state rooms where social functions were held. The Reception Hall was not only used for functions but also for showing moving pictures - as evidenced by the screen infront of the corner firestove. The second photograph depicts the State Dining-Room where His Majesty would entertain visiting officials, and the like. What furniture that you see in the photographs such as his working-study (third, first row) and his more private apartment - the bed-room had furniture from around the mansion brought in. The camp-bed naturally travelled with His Majesty where ever he went. The second photograph, second row shows a corner of the bed-room where the Tsar's dressing-table can be seen, and then the last photograph shows the Tsesarevich Alexei's own camp-bed next to his father's. Alexei's camp-bed specifically came from Tsarskoe Selo and would travel back home with him when he would return. These photographic views, which are illustration plates come from the publication entitled: "Его Императорское Величество государь император Николай Александрович в действующей армии." "His Imperial Majesty Sovereign Emperor Nikolai Alexandrovich in the army." Edited by Dmitry N. Dubensky, and published in 1916, this, like many other war-time publications featured stories and articles about the war effort, and photographs and illustrations of the Tsar and Tsesarevich, as well as, other members of the Imperial Family - used to boost morale of the men who were fighting on the front lines. It is an interesting glimpse into the world of Russia during this period - the Great War. ______________________________ Photographs: 1. Reception Hall at Mogilev, Stavka. 2. State Dining-Room at Mogilev, Stavka. 3. Working-Study of His Majesty. 4. Bed-Room of His Majesty. 5. Bed-Room of His Majesty. 6. Bed-Room of His Majesty. Source: http://elib.shpl.ru/ru/nodes/13680-iyul-1915-fevral-1916-g-1916 ______________________________ Please enjoy the information, as well as, the photographs! Also, if you’d like to share and/or re-post these photographs elsewhere PLEASE credit The State Public Historical Library or Государственная публичная историческая библиотека, accordingly. Thank-you!

[graceofromanovs]

GODPARENTS OF TSESAREVICH NICHOLAS ALEXANDROVICH

Tsesarevich Nicholas Alexandrovich was born as Grand Duke of Russia during the reign of his formidable grandfather Emperor Nicholas I on 20th September 1843. He was the eldest son and second child born to Emperor Alexander II (then Tsesarevich) and his wife Empress Maria Alexandrovna. He was christened in the Grand Palace Church, Tsarskoe Selo, by the Confessor of His Imperial Majesty. He had four known godparents as listed:

NICHOLAS I, EMPEROR OF RUSSIA - his paternal grandfather and namesake was one of his godparents present at his christening. Mainly remembered in history as a reactionary whose controversial reign was marked by geographical expansion, centralisation of administrative policies and repression of dissent. He died in 1855, when the younger Nicholas was only 11 years-old, and thus making him the heir apparent (Tsesarevich).

LOUIS II, GRAND DUKE OF HESSE AND BY RHINE - his maternal grandfather was another of his godparents, but was absent at the christening. The hessian grand duke, like his paternal grandfather, was also considered a reactionary leader, he was in conflict with parliament almost his entire reign. The German revolution in 1848-49 proved his inability to govern. On March 5, 1848 he named his son Louis III as co-regent, and a year later he died.

GRAND DUCHESS ANNA PAVLOVNA OF RUSSIA, QUEEN CONSORT OF THE NETHERLANDS - his great-aunt was the third listed as godparent of the young grand duke, but was also absent at the christening. Queen Anna, the favourite sister of Emperor Nicholas I of Russia and the consort of King William II of the Netherlands, was a Russian patriot who upheld a strict royal etiquette in the Netherlands, where she never felt at home, and identified more as an Imperial Grand Duchess than a Dutch queen. She had no political influence, but was active within charity.

GRAND DUCHESS OLGA NIKOLAEVNA OF RUSSIA, QUEEN CONSORT OF WÜRTTEMBERG - his aunt was one of his godparents present at the christening. She was the younger sister of his father. Attractive, cultured and intelligent, she was considered to be one of the most eligible princesses in Europe. Just three years after her nephew was born, in 1846, she married Crown Prince Karl of Württemberg. Nicholas died just two months before seeing his aunt Queen consort of Württemberg.

Source

[teatimeatwinterpalace]

Tsar Nicholas II and his son Tsesarevich Alexei Nikolaevich at a military parade, Tsarskoye Selo, 1913.

[captain-price-unofficially]

Soviet battleship Grazhdanin (formerly Tsesarevich), damaged during the Kronstadt rebellion, 1921

[romanovsonelastdance]

Close up of Tsesarevich Alexei Nikolaevich of Russia.

[otmaaromanovas]

A mysterious item has come up for auction featuring the Tsarevich Alexei Nikolaevich 👇

French auction house Coutau-Bégarie is selling the bluish-mauve enamel and ivory frame. Encrusted with pearls, the frame holds a photograph of Alexei Nikolaevich in uniform, taken in 1911 when the Tsarevich was seven years old.

Even more curious is the inclusion of a large lock of dark brown hair in the back of the frame and the date “5th November 1904” - when Alexei would have been only a few months old. Alexei’s hair colour has been described by those who knew him well as “auburn”, “brown”, and having a “coppery glint”.

Due to this, alongside the fact that the frame does not have any hallmarks or maker marks (unlike most Fabergé frames), I am unsure of whether the frame is contemporary to the photograph, or whether it was a later addition and the inscription and hair are unrelated. 

What do you think? 

The frame is included as part of items with provenance to Irina Alexandrovna, the Romanov children’s cousin. It is currently predicted to sell at a starting point between €400-600

SOURCES AND PHOTOS

📍 Tsesarevich Alexei Nikolaevich photographed in uniform alongside his father, Tsar Nicholas II, in 1911

📍Coutau-Bégarie & Associés, ‘PETIT CADRE PHOTOGRAPHIQUE EN VERMEIL’ - LOT 78’, part of the Russie Impériale auction

📍 Pierre Gilliard, ‘Thirteen Years at the Russian Court’, translator F. Appleby Holt, (London: Hutchinson & Co., 1921), p. 40

📍Sophie Buxhoeveden, ‘The Life and Tragedy of Alexandra Feodorovna’, (London: Longman’s Green and Co., 1929), p. 150

[thehessiansisters]

Candid photograph of Princess Henry of Prussia with her nephew Tsesarevich Alexei of Russia, Peterhof, August 1913.