Romanovs about to return to Russia?

[Al_bina]

Originally Posted by MAfan

Yes, it is indeed, especially if you consider that it was just a proposal by a member of the Russian Parliament, but nothing concrete.

Technically speaking, the proposal in question was by a member of the Legislative Assembly of Saint Petersburg. A similar proposal from a member of the State Duma (Gosudarstvennaya Duma) of the Russian Federation could have carried more weight.

[MAfan]

Thank you for the precisation, I had mixed up the two assemblies.
So the proposal is even more airy-fairy than I thought; no wonder that the replies to it were "Thank you but no".

[HereditaryPrincess]

This is an interesting situation. I wonder if Grand Duchess Maria will take up the offer and move to Russia.

But, as others have said, it does seem like Putin wants to be the Tsar.

[Duc_et_Pair]

Well, Putin has an example. General Francisco Franco appointed Don Juan Carlos de Borbón his successor as head of state, after his death. It is effectively thanks to this move by the dictator that Spain became a monarchy again.

Without a similar move by strongman Putin, in a pre-fabicated demarché together with the Duma and the mighty Orthodox Church, there is no any chance for a return of the monarchy in Russia. Of course, as Putin wants to stay the powerful one, it will be a "West-European" monarchy: a purely ceremonial head of state with a ruling Prime Minister.

Also that is not new. Because the Constitution does not allow more than two consecutive terms of presidency, Putin became Prime Minister again under President Medvedev but everyone knew he remained the puppetmaster behind the screens. Then after two periods Putin and Medvedev conveniently switched positions again.

[maria-olivia]

Franco prepared Juan Carlos to be his Heir.

Grand Duchess Maria, if she and her son come back to Russia , they will have the same position of the King of Roumana and his daughter...alas decorum and nothing else!

[Duc_et_Pair]

As should be. All modern monarchies are largely ceremonial. The last time a King wanted to do his way, he was forced to lay down the kingship for one day (Baudouin) but the Act he disapproved went into force anyway.

When Grand Duke Henri tried to do a "Baudouin" too to stop an act, the Luxembourgian Parliament simply approved an Act which removed the grand-ducal approval under Acts and Decrees. So Henri suddenly lost his prerogatives.

So when Maria Vladimirovna Romanova will be welcomed back into Russia with a (semi) official role, it will be purely ceremonial. Like in all other European monarchies (except Monaco and Liechtenstein).

[maria-olivia]

Agree and disagree , Grand Duchess Maria has the respect of the Church of Russia that is all...

[Al_bina]

The Spanish way has been discussed at length in http://www.theroyalforums.com/forums...nts-11603.html. Neither Grand Duchess Marie Vladimirovna nor her son are widely supported in the Russian Federation. The late Grand Duke Vladimir Kirilovich did not have the support even during the tumultious 1990s, when the restoration had a chance.

Originally Posted by maria-olivia

Agree and disagree , Grand Duchess Maria has the respect of the Church of Russia that is all...

I am not sure about the respect. Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna is just recognised by the Russian Orthodox Church. The ROC shies away from endorsing one claimant more than the others.

[HereditaryPrincess]

Originally Posted by maria-olivia

Grand Duchess Maria, if she and her son come back to Russia , they will have the same position of the King of Roumana and his daughter...alas decorum and nothing else!

I understand that Grand Duchess Maria have the same position as the other pretenders, because Russia hasn't restored it's monarchy yet (and I doubt it ever will).

This is slightly off-topic and probably should be discussed in a different or new thread, though I often wonder what Russia would be like today if the Bolsheviks had never assassinated Tsar Nicholas II's family and the country were still a monarchy.

How popular is Grand Duchess Maria with the Russian monarchists compared to Prince Dimitri (I think that is the name of the other pretender)?

[Spheno]

The monarchy was abolished before Bolsheviks.

[Duc_et_Pair]

Originally Posted by Spheno

The monarchy was abolished before Bolsheviks.

The monarchy was abolished because of the October Revolution of 1917 which was, in my understanding, a Bolshevik revolution? Earlier that year, in February, the Tsar had abdicated indeed but did so in favour of his son, Tsarevitch Alexey?

[Chubb Fuddler]

The February Revolution resulted in the abdication of Nicholas II in favour of his brother on 15 March 1917 (he initially abdicated in favour of his son, but a few hours later the text was amended, at the request of Nicholas II, to include the Tsesarevich as well). But Grand Duke Michael declined the throne, and issued a manifesto calling for a constituent assembly to decide on the form of government for Russia. But the assembly never took place and on 14 September 1917 Russia became a republic. The October Revolution started nearly two months later on 7 November 1917. (All dates are Gregorian, which is why the February revolution took place in March, and the October Revolution in November).

[Shaym16]

I was reading an article recently about President Putin considering asking the Romanov's to return to Russia. I was wondering what other peoples thoughts were about this? Do you think it would help Russia? Do you think they would be accepted back into Russia? I, myself find it quite interesting that the Imperial Household could return to Russia, and personally would like to see how it pans out

[Al_bina]

President Putin has nothing to do with the proposal. More information about the proposal and personal opinions on the matter can be found in the following threads:

http://www.theroyalforums.com/forums...-17563-15.html

http://www.theroyalforums.com/forums...926-23697.html

[Al_bina]

https://ru-royalty.livejournal.com/3201280.html

The blogger unbelievableme informed us about Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna's request for an official status and official residence in Russia. Channel Moscow24 cited Alexander Zakatov.

As expected, comments on this news are acerbic.

[Benjamin]

Well, at least she is trying to avoid the Crimea.

Interesting to see if anything becomes of the request.

[Benjamin]

Although, it seems that Mr Zakatov completely denies making the overture:

http://www.interfax.ru/russia/453302

[Benjamin]

An English-language article about the apparent misinformation in the media regarding the House of Romanov's potential return to Russia:

ROYAL RUSSIA: News, Videos & Photographs About the Romanov Dynasty, Monarchy and Imperial Russia - Updated Daily

[COUNTESS]

Originally Posted by Benjamin

An English-language article about the apparent misinformation in the media regarding the House of Romanov's potential return to Russia:

ROYAL RUSSIA: News, Videos & Photographs About the Romanov Dynasty, Monarchy and Imperial Russia - Updated Daily

Who really knows what transpired. That the Romanovs would be a welcome addition is dubious. On the other hand Putin is, also, dubious, so a dictator of sorts, or a tyrant of sorts. Russia is the loser either way.

[Duc_et_Pair]

Originally Posted by COUNTESS

Who really knows what transpired. That the Romanovs would be a welcome addition is dubious. On the other hand Putin is, also, dubious, so a dictator of sorts, or a tyrant of sorts. Russia is the loser either way.

Why would it dubious? The Romanovs playing a same role as royal familes in Serbia, Romania and Portugal is really not that bad. It is an acknowledgement of the long shared bond and history with the once so illustrious family.

I think that Maria Vladimirovna is too passive on the matter, leaving it solely to the Kremlin. But maybe that are only words for the stage. Behind the screens there will be contacts. I find it refreshing and realistic that Maria Vladimirovna is in no any way speaking about a restoration or any executive role.