I tend to believe that Ella was pretty much accepted by the family and fit in. She had enough of a Russian/ Romanov quality to do so. She may have been marrying Sergei, who was controversial in some respects, but it doesn't seem like that impacted things much. Had Ella not fit in, Alexandra would never have been allowed to marry in. But, Ella did very well. Of all the Hessian Princesses who married in ( Paul's first wife, Empress Marie Alexandrovna, and Alexandra, of course), Ella did best, and became most Russian. She would have done this no matter what member of the Imperial family she married, but perhaps it was more of a challenge being Sergei's wife, although relatives saw him in a good light. Generally, MA and Miechen didn't get along, so it is interesting reading on this thread they both disliked Ella. Does anyone have thoughts on this? They were both society queens though, and Ella was a different sort of woman, so maybe that contrast explains some things. I don't think Ella's relationship to other Romanovs has ever been explored as much as her sister's relationship to other Romanovs.
