Suitors and possible matches for the daughters of Nicholas II

[Bensgal]

Yes, you're correct and I agree. My comment was more to the idea that Alexandra didn't care whether she spread the disease. As I mentioned, I don't believe it was a lack of caring but more a lack of education. What we know now and the medical testing available to couples who have genetic concerns, obviously, wasn't available during Alexandra's time. It was more the thought of yes, they knew the disease existed and the spread was possible but they gambled the odds. If I remember correctly from the book, Born to Rule, King Alfonso XIII was aware of the possibilities of Princess Victoria Eugenie being a carrier of the disease and of course passing it on, but his heart ruled.

[XeniaCasaraghi]

I believe Meraude gave great evidence that even with no 21st century medical education, that Alexandra with all the hemophilia in her family would be aware of the dangers her daughters might be carrying within their blood.

[Bensgal]

As I said, yes they were aware but this awareness didn't cause any hesitation as to marrying. It wasn't a case that Alexandra didn't care whether she spread the disease nor the idea that she was blind to the fact of the possibility of one or more of her daughters passing it on, it was a case of lack of education concerning the disease in its entirety. The forum alexanderpalace.org has wonderful threads dedicated to this very topic. Excellent forum to visit concerning Russia and the Imperial family.

[SweetLana]

Originally Posted by XeniaCasaraghi

I don't recall reading that before. Was that in Massie's book or another one? It's good to know that it was at least mentioned during the time and appeared to be somewhat known what was going on within the family. The fact that there were four girls makes me theorize that there had to be at least one who was a carrier, possibly two. The reason I brought it up is because Alexandra didn't seem to think about the possibility of her having a son with hemophilia when she accepted Nicholas' proposal; rather than thinking she just didn't care, I assume it was more like she didn't want to think it was possible and was still operating under the cone of silence about it that had started with Victoria. Perhaps the reason she didn't care so much about marriage for her daughters is she knew the hemophilia issue was going to be a problem for them getting husbands. Also Alexei's illness dominated her life from the day it was discovered he indeed had the disease.

It wasn't Massie's book but Queen Marie, Story of my life. Here is the exact quote:

"When the idea of a marriage between our son, Carol, and Olga, the eldest daughter of the Czar, was proposed, I was more against than for it, because I feared that uncanny illness—hæmophilia—which the women of certain families are supposed to give to their sons. I knew that poor Alix had given this illness to her heir, and I dared not face such a risk for our family. Gladly would I have welcomed one of Nicky's daughters, had it not been for this, as, besides the ties of affection, it was a most flattering proposal, especially as it had been brought forward by the Russian side."

It goes on to describe their visit to Russia and her conversation with Alix regarding the possible match.

[fandesacs2003]

Originally Posted by XeniaCasaraghi

There is also the mystery of which daughter was a carrier; I wonder if danger of passing on the disease ever occured to Nicholas and Alexandra? There was a zone of silence when it came to Alix getting married and she appeared to be in denial that she was possibly a carrier.

Intersting. I've read somewhere that Alix knew shwe was a carrier (not strange, Queen Victoria spread hemophilia to all Royal families..) and she was very suffering and feeling guilty that she transmitted to her son. Especially since after 4 daughters this boy came like a heaven gift!

[Grandduchess24]

Olga, Tatiana, Marie and Anastasia were all potential brides but I guess the hemophilia gene they carried was a problem.

[AristoCat]

Originally Posted by fandesacs2003

Intersting. I've read somewhere that Alix knew shwe was a carrier (not strange, Queen Victoria spread hemophilia to all Royal families..) and she was very suffering and feeling guilty that she transmitted to her son. Especially since after 4 daughters this boy came like a heaven gift!

I do think that Alexandra did know, mainly because she grew up surrounded by it with her family.