It is all poppycock. These people will not return to reign, anything. The Russian government is not great, either, you are right, Beatrix Fan. Romanov's are a long past ideal.They were terrible monarchs. Nicholas is realistic, plus his daughters are married. Maria lives in a world of fantasy and Georgi will pay.
Alot of posters share your view it seems but I can't understand why people are so set in their belief that Maria lives to make George's life a terrible mess. With respect, I think you're being a bit dramatic. George is in the same position as many other would-be Kings and yet nobody levels the same criticism at their parents. Are King Constantine and Queen Anne-Marie bad parents for bringing up Crown Prince Pavlos as a King in waiting? Are King Michael and Queen Anne terrible, awful people for bringing up Crown Princess Margarita as a Queen to be? Both thrones have gone. Are the Greek and Romanian families a long past ideal? Do they live in a fantasy world?
I'd suggest that they live comfortably and happily with their station though they are aware there's little chance of restoration. Having said that, twenty years ago there was no chance of restoration in Romania, now it seems more likely than ever. Why? Because the royal houses did exactly what Maria is doing in Russia. They kept their dignity, they behaved as monarchs in exile should, they prepared themselves and their families for every eventuality and now it's paying off. Even if it doesn't pay off for Pavlos as it has for Margarita, surely the role they play (which George has also adopted) is valuable to themselves, their families and the elements in their respective societies that respect them? My point in all of this is that Maria is constantly criticised for being some kind of Baroness Hardup panto villain who is keeping her little boy prisoner until he becomes a Tsar and nothing could be furthur from the truth.
George had a good education, he's worked at the European Parliament, now he works for a Russian industry company. Pavlos had a good education, he's worked in various businesses. Margarita had a good education, she's worked with the World Health Organisation and works for her own Romanian charity. They all attend weddings, funerals, baptisms at the various European courts when no representative from their countries would be sent. They all travel throughout their countries visiting worthy causes and upholding traditional cultural links. And why not? Is that fantasy or is that using a position of wealth to do something productive? Maybe it's a little self serving but as has been proved in Romania, we can never say never. If George really wasn't up for this, he wouldn't have played the game for so long. What alot of people here seem to be overlooking is that George is an adult. Maria has no hold over him and if he really didn't want this life, he'd throw it all up and say "find the next in line". But he hasn't. He's done exactly the opposite, following a newly designed role for exiled-heirs that works pretty well as far as I can see. The jibes about his appearance, his love life etc are just cheap.
And perhaps this is what Nicholas Romanov hates so much about Maria and George, maybe this is why he does take every opportunity to slam them down and raise himself up. Because never in his life has Nicholas done this. What has he ever done for Russia? He simply lives with his fake Russian title, telling the world how awful the Tsars were in power. The only 'Russian' organisations he bothers with are the one's he's created that defer to him as lord over all. I won't say he's egocentric but to me, I'd much rather an intelligent, committed and genuinely passionate Imperial Family (in exile or in power) holding the banner than someone who only serves his own ends.
