attaininggrace
A Dream in Sari and Jewels
Indian princess Gayatri Devi could have just relaxed in her life of luxury. Instead she won three elections, ran a stud farm and started schools for girls. She was also a campaigner for democracy and women’s rights. The princess died aged 90 on July 29 this year. Raised in an opulent palace with 500 servants, she spent holidays in London and Europe. There her family mixed with the British Royal … Continue reading
Posted in Other Royals | Tagged Biography, Death, Maharaja of Jaipur, Maharani Gayatri Devi | 2 CommentsThe Glamorous Grand Duke
Legend has it that Grand Duke Dmitri Pavlovitch and Chanel met on a beach, although they may have been introduced to each other by Dmitri’s sister, Marie Pavlovna. One wonders what the dark and handsome Dmitri and the petite Chanel first said to each other! They soon became lovers. The Grand Duke and Grand Duchess certainly had a strong influence on Chanel’s fashion career. Dmitri introduced her to the former … Continue reading
Posted in Historical Royals, Russia | Tagged Biography, Grand Duke Dmitri Pavlovich of Russia, Grigori Rasputin, Maria Pavlovna of Russia | 4 CommentsThe Search For Romanov Money: Romanoff Gold by William Clarke
Clarke describes Imperial Russia vividly and delves into the money trail meticulously. The first part of this book is the most interesting. Certain images stayed in my mind: beautiful Meriel Buchanan’s Russian admirer visiting her in a panic after the Revolution, the Tsar’s daughters enjoying their first dances and balls, and the final terrible journey and end of the Royal family. (NB) Reading how Clarke traced the money of the … Continue reading
Posted in Russia | Tagged Book Review, Books, Finances | Leave a commentThe Humble Grand Duchess: The Last Grand Duchess by Ian Vorres
Ian Vorres’s kind neighbour, a rather charming, little old lady, often invited him in to have a cup of tea. Soon he found out that she was Grand Duchess Olga, the sister of the last Russian Tsar. It was destiny… Vorres, a writer, persuaded her to let him write her biography. Grand Duchess Olga’s life was so dramatic that it remains interesting even though Vorres’s writing is rather straightforward and … Continue reading
Posted in Historical Royals, Russia | Tagged Book Review, Books, Olga Alexandrovna of Russia | 3 Comments