When I see these poor women toiling over the recreation of the balustrade, I could weep. At least one third of these balusters have collapsed. Not, of course, due to war or enemy incursion - rather sheer neglect. The decay and destruction of the Alexander Palace is nothing less than a case of state vandalism. The one million dollars, generously donated by a Russian oligarch, will barely cover the costs of the restoration of the balustrade.
The fireplace in pastpalacelife's last photograph is in the Mountain Hall. It exists minus the embellishments.
tsaria