Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna: June 2008-

[BeatrixFan]

Wow. The Grand Duchess certainly had a busy trip!

[Marsel]

Maria Vladimirovna has apparently ordered her lawyers to appeal the decision of the Russian Courts to close the murder case of Nicholas, Alexandra and their children.

According to a press release, the Romanov Family (that is, Maria Vladimirovna, her mother and son) does not agree with the verdict on principle and will insist on re-opening the case. The Russian courts pronounced the deaths of members of the Imperial Family were murder and the case was to be closed because the executives of the murder were long death. Maria Vladimirovna’s lawyers disagree with classification of the deaths as ‘murder’ and argue that those were political assassination and should be treated as such.

Maria Vladimirovna’s spokesman used the press conference as a chance to state once again that the Romanov Family (Maria Vladimirovna, her mother and son) does not recognize the remnants found in Yekaterinburg as that of the Imperial Family. He said that there were no sufficient proves and until the Church and the Patriarch recognizes the remnants as that of Tsar Nicholas and his family, they won’t be prepared to do so.
The spokesman for Romanov Family Association (which includes pretty much all other Romanovs) confirmed that they do recognize the remnants as that of Romanovs and that they do not plan to appeal the decision of the Russian courts, at least as of now.


I suppose DNA evidence is not hard enough proof for Maria Vladimirovna.
Some legal experts think that the motives of Maria Vladimirovna’s appeal are quite clear: if the murders are re-classified as political assassinations, the Romanovs (especially those who are directly descended from or closely related to the murdered Romanovs) will be entitled to compensations – and bearing in mind just who the assassinated people were, rather impressive compensations.

[Russophile]

Originally Posted by Marsel

Some legal experts think that the motives of Maria Vladimirovna’s appeal are quite clear: if the murders are re-classified as political assassinations, the Romanovs (especially those who are directly descended from or closely related to the murdered Romanovs) will be entitled to compensations – and bearing in mind just who the assassinated people were, rather impressive compensations.

Ah! I was wondering what the difference was. Thanks!

[Al_bina]

I wonder what has prompted Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna to pester the Russian government with legalities concerning the untimely death of Nicholas II and his family as well as what compensation she expects from the Russian government.

[reginalix]

Originally Posted by BeatrixFan

Two, the State. At the re-burial, it was the Grand Duchess who was given a place with the Heads of State and their representatives. She was also given the task of welcoming them. The pictures clearly show Maria standing alongside the Crown Prince and Crown Princess of Denmark, the former King and Queen of Greece and Prince and Princess Michael of Kent.

First new : MW was at the re-burial of Empress Maria Fedorovna!!!

Niet. Next to the Crown Prince and Crown Princess of Denmark there were the grandchildren and great-grandchildren of Great Princesses Xenia and Olga her daughters and next to them..........Princes Dmitry and Nicholas.
In the Roskilde Cathedral and in ...Russia!
The Queen of Denmark invited them and their consorts and asked them (especially Dmitry) to mediate between the danish and russian governements.

[Marsel]

When Maria Vladimirovna visited Belarus in July, she was given a welcome well worth pretender to the Russian Throne and Head of the House of Romanov. You can read the details here and here.

However, more than 3 months after the visit, the Belarusian authorities (mainly, the administration of the Gomel region which she visited first) are still having problems connected with it. Apparently, the press, members of the Government and most Belarusian were not impressed by the lavish welcome Maria Vladimirovna received. In response to concerns raised by some Belarusians, an inquiry was made to understand just why Maria Vladimirovna was invited in the first place (her official spokesman had said that the visit was initiated by a personal invitation of the Belarusian Government and Gomel administration). The official response reads: “... Romanova M.V. has not been invited in any way. Her visit to Gomel was organized by Russian Fund “Our Heritage. As such, her visit was not an official but strictly private one”.

Russian-speaking members can read more in this article.


If it wasn't an official visit, why did they go through all that trouble of 'kissing hands', bowing and all other protocol stuff, not to mention the expenses connected with her security arrangements, stay and banquet in her honour?

[vsriCo]

Originally Posted by reginalx

First new : MW was at the re-burial of Empress Maria Fedorovna!!!

Niet. Next to the Crown Prince and Crown Princess of Denmark there were the grandchildren and great-grandchildren of Great Princesses Xenia and Olga her daughters and next to them..........Princes Dmitry and Nicholas.
In the Roskilde Cathedral and in ...Russia!
The Queen of Denmark invited them and their consorts and asked them (especially Dmitry) to mediate between the danish and russian governements.

In the pictures Maria was at the front with the other foreign representatives, if I remember correctly. Where are you getting this from?

[Rascal]

Please forgive my ignorance on this matter. I would appreciate any information on this question. After reading through this entire thread, I found the post concerning Maria's son Georgi's education and work history, including the most recent (I assume as it is the latest post) position with the company in Russia where he works. But what about GD Maria? Where does she derive income?

Certainly her inheritance from her father would be sizable and possibly an alimony/child support from her ex-husband (which would have long since ended as her son is well over 18 years old) would have provided funds. But how are her travel/accommodations/lifestyle financed? Even an inheritance is limited.

I'm not sure of the specifics but I have heard criticisms of the former King Constantine for not working, receiving regular money from pro-monarchy citizens of Greece and Greek ex-patriots. (I'm not sure if he even owns his residence in London, I think I saw a post somewhere that it was donated/given use of by a wealthy Greek supporter).

Does GD Maria have similar type of support? Where does she live? What is her private lifestyle (does she: fly coach or first class? have limousine service or take taxis/busses/subway? live in a grand house/apartment she owns or resides at the behest of a benefactor? have servants/maids or must do daily tasks of cooking/laundry/cleaning herself?)

With my limited knowledge about present-day Russia, I know that there is a host of "new" wealthy people, but that most of the Russians are similar to any other developed nation, middle-class, hard-working, regular folks. If there were ever a possibility about a restoration and I was one of them, I would wonder about the previously mentioned things.

Thanks again for any response/information.

Rascal

[Benjamin]

In light of the ninety-fifth birthday of Grand Duchess Leonida, the Imperial House issued a press release that included a letter of congratulations from Patriarch Cyril as well as the most recent pictures of the elderly Grand Duchess.

Imperial House - 95th Anniversary of the Widowed Grand Duchess Leonida Georgievna

Thanks to Neville at Theodore Harvey's Monarchy Forum for originally posting this. I did not initially recognize the Grand Duchess, mostly due to the marked change in the colour of her hair.

[Benjamin]

Russia rejects bid to reopen criminal case into last tsar's murder
20 October 2009

MOSCOW - The Russian Prosecutor's Office has rejected an application by the head of the Russian Imperial House to reopen a criminal case into the murder of the country's last tsar, a lawyer said on Tuesday.

German Lukyanov said Grand Duchess Maria Romanov would appeal.

Full article: RIA Novosti

[Benjamin]

Hi Rascal!

During the latter part of Grand Duke Wladimir's lifetime, the Romanovs owned Ker Argonid at St. Briac, a home in the exclusive Puerto de Hierro area of Madrid, and an appartment in Paris. Not too long ago Grand Duchess Maria apparently had to sell the villa in Brittany because the cost of upkeep was too high. Furthermore, Maria no longer has the appartment in Paris nor the Puerto de Hierro residence.

Grand Duchess Maria probably did not inherit a large amount from her father. It is her half-sister Helene Kirby, Leonida's daughter by American millionaire Sumner Moore Kirby, who has the money in the family. For decades the Romanovs were supported by Miss Kirby's fortune. However, Helene and Maria are not as close as they used to be so it is safe to say that whatever remains of Helene Kirby's $$$ is no longer at her imperial sister's disposal.

These days, Grand Duchess Maria lives in an appartment in Madrid.

As to her current source of income, your guess is as good as any. I recall reading that around the time of her marriage Maria briefly worked for Madame Grès, but I know nothing about her "work history" after that.

In more recent news, the Grand Duchess is slated to receive a nice sum following the sale of belongings of her great-grandmother Maria Pavlovna that were recently re-discovered in Sweden.

Sorry to be of so little help! You do raise an interesting topic.

[Rascal]

Thanks for the response, Benjamin! I wasn't sure if anyone had any information about my questions, but you were MORE than just a "little help". I had forgotten about GD Maria's half-sister and the Kirby $$$, and I didn't know anything about the properties in Spain and Paris.

I knew about Maria Pavlovna's items found in Sweden but I was never clear that GD Maria would be receiving them. Has a sale been scheduled? If so, through what auction house?

Perhaps you or anyone else that may read could provide more information about the other former ruling houses (Greece, Bulgaria, the former rulers of Germany, Austria, and France, etc.) I saw parts of a documentary about Farah Diba and while she does not seem to live extravagantly (in a Paris apartment, I think) her home is well-furnished, she has an expensive-looking wardrobe, and her lifestyle includes a lot of international travel - which was expensive even before the current world economy - and the extensive collection of Pahlavi jewels remain in Iran, so she couldn't have sold them to make money. That is really where my curiosity about former rulers funds started.

Benjamin, thank you again for your help. I really appreciate it.

Rascal

[Benjamin]

It was my pleasure, Rascal!

Maria Vladimirovna won't exactly be receiving the jewels, but she will receive a portion of the profits from the sale (as will other descendants of Maria Pavlovna). I think the auction is to be held by Sotheby's in November.

I will see what I can find about the finances, properties, etc of the former ruling houses you mention and let you know!

[Rascal]

Thanks again, Benjamin. I look forward to any info you may be able to turn up.

And I am definitely anticipating the Sotheby's sale next month. I wonder how many descendants of the Romanov family will receive a portion of the profits from the sale and how it will be divided. (I hope this has been determined before the sale, otherwise there will be yet another legal battle - and because of legal fees it would greatly reduce any amount that each of them would receive.)

Have a great Halloween weekend, Benjamin!

[Benjamin]

Imperial Visit to Turkey: 10-15 December 2009

On December 10, Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna will arrive in Istanbul for a visit that is to last five days.

The Grand Duchess will be participating in a charity ball held on December 12. The event is being organized by the Russian Consulate and local Russian community in commemoration of the 210th anniversary of the birth of Alexander Pushkin. The ball is expected to be attended by several Russian and Turkish parliamentarians as well as by Princess Neslişah Osmanoğlu, the granddaughter of the last two Emperors of the Ottoman Empire. Proceeds raised from the soiree will go towards establishing a Russian cultural center in the city.

A meeting between Grand Duchess Maria and the Grand Mufti of Istanbul is also scheduled.

Sources: New Dawn and Russian World

[Marsel]

Thank you very much for posting the information, Benjamin!
I look forward to the visit and the ball.

[Benjamin]

You're very welcome, Marsel!

The following article might be of interest to some. The topic is the trip that Her Imperial Highness took to Transnistria earlier this year. Whoever wrote the piece considers the possibility of Transnistria switching from its republican form of government to a principality with the Grand Duchess as its monarch. There's not a snowball's chance in hell of that happening, but nonetheless I enjoyed reading about such a scenario. Here is the link.

[Marsel]

Thanks for the link!

The article is interesting but I think you summarized the chances of it ever happening pretty accurately.
A bit if wishful thinking, especially since it was written on the official website...