Possible Brides for Nicholas II

[NGalitzine]

Originally Posted by AristoCat

A lot of the Romanovs were prejudiced against Germans and it is a pity that Nicholas refused to listen to his parents. Helene would have ended up a good match and there were a lot of others.

Well Alexander III also suggested Margaret of Prussia so it wasn't about being German. People just felt Alexandra was too shy and provincial to become Empress of Russia. There was also the question of conversion to Orthodoxy which was necessary for any bride and Alix of Hesse resisted changing her religion. Helene of France would not have been allowed to convert by her father the Comte de Paris. The same requirement resulted in her proposed engagement to Eddy, Duke of Clarence not going forward. Queen Victoria favored the union but her father would not allow her to give up her Catholic faith.

[Marc23]

Originally Posted by fearghas

Considering that most of them married germans, that can't be quite true

True,all male Romanovs who married equally until revolution married princesses from German dynasties...

The only exceptions were Militza and Anastasia of Montenegro and Princess Helena of Serbia.

[Russophile]

Originally Posted by AristoCat

I just find it surprising that Nicholas was so vociferous about marrying Alix, despite the fact that Alix wasn't suited ot the role.

Obviously she flipped his cookie, rang his bell, rocked his kingdom and that was that.

[COUNTESS]

And, Lord, knows why. She was called "Sunny", but she was one of the most dour people photographed at that time. There was nothing sunny about her.

[LauraS3514]

Originally Posted by COUNTESS

And, Lord, knows why. She was called "Sunny", but she was one of the most dour people photographed at that time. There was nothing sunny about her.

Princess Alix of Hesse was reportedly called "Sunny" as a small child because of her then personality and blond good looks. After her mother died she became very withdrawn and shy, but the nickname stuck.

[Daria_S]

Originally Posted by Russophile

Obviously she flipped his cookie, rang his bell, rocked his kingdom and that was that.

I do indeed love your way with words . Some of these I've never heard before. Thank you for the laugh. It's always appreciated .

[branchg]

Originally Posted by Marc23

True,all male Romanovs who married equally until revolution married princesses from German dynasties...

The only exceptions were Militza and Anastasia of Montenegro and Princess Helena of Serbia.

That's because Germany had the most eligible brides due to the numerous reigning royal and ducal houses at the time. And since many of them were relatively poor compared to the great wealth of the Romanov Dynasty, marrying a Grand Duke was often a huge step up.

[XeniaCasaraghi]

Originally Posted by COUNTESS

And, Lord, knows why. She was called "Sunny", but she was one of the most dour people photographed at that time. There was nothing sunny about her.

To be fair, looking dour and not smiling was the practice when taking photos during Alexandra's time. I have often been struck by how downright evil Mary of Teck looks in her photos. But you are right that Alexandra didn't just seem to be "not smiling" but her face just comes off as miserable.

[Vecchiolarry]

Hi,

Don't forget the Danish bride - Dagmar, who became Maria Feodorovna!!!

Perhaps the Romanovs grew tired of steudel and preferred a danish for a change!!!!

OK, bad joke.....

Larry

[Tsaritsa]

Countess, she was nicknamed "Sunny" as a child because she was!! It seems that she was a delightful, happy child who charmed all around her.......and then tragedy struck and her world changed forever. My own belief is that her older sisters had each other for comfort and she felt isolated. It maybe that it was then that she became emotionally self reliant and withdrawn. IMO being Alexandra must have been the lonliest place in the world.

[fearghas]

Originally Posted by Vecchiolarry

Hi,

Don't forget the Danish bride - Dagmar, who became Maria Feodorovna!!!

Perhaps the Romanovs grew tired of steudel and preferred a danish for a change!!!!

OK, bad joke.....

Larry

but Dagmars father was origianlly a german princeling before he was chosen for the Danish throne

[Vasillisos Markos]

Originally Posted by fearghas

but Dagmars father was origianlly a german princeling before he was chosen for the Danish throne

I thought the mother, Louise, was a descendant from a German princely family but she had Danish ancestors and was actually the closest link to the Danish throne. Her husband who was Danish and a member of the cadet line was offered the throne because of his marriage to Louise. Frederick was a member of the Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glucksburg, wasn't he?

[NGalitzine]

Yes. Louise was a Hesse Cassel

[fearghas]

Originally Posted by Vasillisos Markos

I thought the mother, Louise, was a descendant from a German princely family but she had Danish ancestors and was actually the closest link to the Danish throne. Her husband who was Danish and a member of the cadet line was offered the throne because of his marriage to Louise. Frederick was a member of the Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glucksburg, wasn't he?

The Duchy of SHSG could b e considered to be both German and Danish. As I understand it it was part of the HRE. The future Christian IX (Dagmars father) was a younger son of the Duke.

[Marc23]

Originally Posted by fearghas

The Duchy of SHSG could b e considered to be both German and Danish. As I understand it it was part of the HRE. The future Christian IX (Dagmars father) was a younger son of the Duke.

True,both countries did have a claim to the Duchies,but most of it became German territory in the 19th century...

[Marc23]

Originally Posted by Vasillisos Markos

I thought the mother, Louise, was a descendant from a German princely family but she had Danish ancestors and was actually the closest link to the Danish throne. Her husband who was Danish and a member of the cadet line was offered the throne because of his marriage to Louise. Frederick was a member of the Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glucksburg, wasn't he?

But again,Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glucksburg was a cadet line of German(Oldenburg) dynasty that ruled in Denmark for centuries,which,again,was originally a German dynasty who married almost exclusively Germanic Princesses...

[Russophile]

Originally Posted by Vasillisos Markos

I thought the mother, Louise, was a descendant from a German princely family but she had Danish ancestors and was actually the closest link to the Danish throne. Her husband who was Danish and a member of the cadet line was offered the throne because of his marriage to Louise. Frederick was a member of the Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glucksburg, wasn't he?

Can you imagine putting that surname on your passport, let alone a banking cheque or perhaps the back of a soccer/football uniform?

[Vasillisos Markos]

Originally Posted by Russophile

Can you imagine putting that surname on your passport, let alone a banking cheque or perhaps the back of a soccer/football uniform?

Russo my dear,

You are too funny! Passport, cheque and jersey would all have to be extra-large!

[Daria_S]

Originally Posted by Russophile

Can you imagine putting that surname on your passport, let alone a banking cheque or perhaps the back of a soccer/football uniform?

Forget the jersey, etc., think of the poor sports commentator or dchool teacher that has to say all those names. By the time they do, the will forget what it is they wanted to say in the first place .

[Marc23]

Originally Posted by Daria_S

think of the poor sports commentator

It would sound like saying Borussia Mönchengladbach