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Messages - mek

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I believe that Nicholas II or Louis XVI (I do not like to make the comparison) have passed (unfairly), for incompetent.

Marie-Antoinette and Alexandra Feodorovna were considered "bad geniuses", dealing with things that did not concern them.

Nicholas II was "weak and helpless", Alexandra "dominant and haughty". The weak is always more sympathetic.

Of course there are also feminine prejudices: foolishness, frivolity, hysteria ... It's easier to find reproaches towards a woman, than to a man.

For my part, I really like Alexandra Feodorovna, like the whole imperial family. The mystery arouses gossip. Alexandra was too mysterious. Fortunately, we know her in her true light.

As fascinated as I am by the IF, I'm not sure that I "like" Alexandra.  She intrigues me, but I think she would have driven me crazy to be around. I think most royals of the time somewhat fit into the same mold - I find them silly and almost child like.  From most accounts, N and A certainly underdeveloped  their daughters emotional growth. Who knows how they would have developed had they lived out full lives?  Would they have become interesting women or faded into the background overshadowed by more sophisticated and colorful royals?

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The Alexander Palace / Re: Alexander Palace Restoration pictures
« on: October 22, 2010, 09:05:25 PM »
Thank you Alan for the wonderful photos.  I visited the palace in June, 2004 and the changes are fabulous! When I was there, only the rooms of the IF were open and even my Russian guide wasn't sure what I was referring to when I mentioned the semi circular hall, so unfortunately there was so much I missed. Everything outside was in a state of neglect and deterioration. It would be a dream come true to be able to return when the palace is fully restored. Until then, I will have to rely on people like you who are so generous to share your photos.

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Mek,

On  the left below the video window are

См. видео
Скачать видео

Click on either one.  The top one plays it in the current window. The bottom one opened the clip in the Windows Media player on my computer.

Whenever I get to screens like this, I just click on various highlighted links to find one that works.

BobG


Thanks, Bob.  It worked.

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The Alexander Palace / Re: Semi-Circular Hall Photos - restoration
« on: July 22, 2010, 09:34:59 PM »
I was there in June 2004 when it was still impossible to go around the side where the balcony was located or the back of the palace.  Great to see the progress on the Semi Circular Hall.

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What am I supposed to click on to view the video?

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The Alexander Palace / Re: Photo of rooms 1934-1936
« on: July 22, 2010, 09:02:42 PM »
Thanks for the wonderful photos.  I didn't realize the palace was used for the children's home as early as 1918.

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I was surprised how close the palace is to the street and thought the rooms were small. There is absolutely no trace of the elevator. When I was there in 2004 a fence prevented us from going along the side where the balcony was located and it wasn't possible to go around to the back and see the semi-circular hall.  It still was fascinating to be in the same rooms where so much history happened.

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The Tudors / Re: Education of Elizabeth I
« on: February 06, 2008, 08:06:15 PM »
Elizabeth spoke Welsh and I don't see that on your list.

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The Tudors / Re: Review of 'Elizabeth: The Golden Age'
« on: February 06, 2008, 12:04:47 AM »

I'm going to see it this weekend, and I am going in with this attitude - aesthetics only, no expectations of any kind of accuracy...

I hope they will at least have got rid of those medieval sets . . .

How true - with a little research, they would discover that it was a very colorful time indeed and not at all they way it looks today with all of the painted surfaces gone.  IMO, the chapel at Hampton Court best illustrates how beautiful everything was at this time.

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The Alexander Palace / Re: Question about radiators
« on: September 18, 2007, 10:05:25 PM »
Thanks for the link - actually, I've never seen that exact photo and yes, the covers are the same as now.

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The Alexander Palace / Re: Question about radiators
« on: September 06, 2007, 07:19:34 PM »
I'm familiar with that photo, but don't recall the covers.  I'll check it out - thanks

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The Tudors / Re: Lost Worlds Episode: Henry VIII's Mega Structures
« on: August 30, 2007, 10:01:56 PM »
I saw the show and really enjoyed the reconsturctions of Hampton Court and Whitehall.  Fasinating that some of the old palace still exists - I had no idea.  Too bad people can't see it.  If I'm not mistaken, they also incorrectly stated that Henry built Whitehall.

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Having Fun! / Re: Picture yourself a royal life...
« on: August 30, 2007, 09:52:37 PM »
No thank you.    To me it would be kind of like being a celebrity - you live in a fish bowl and don't have a chance to live a normal life.

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The Alexander Palace / Question about radiators
« on: August 30, 2007, 09:47:55 PM »
When I visited the AP three years ago, I noticed the beautiful radiator covers.  I can't imagine the Soviets would have installed any that were that ornate.  I've never seen this question and I've always wondered if they were the ones that were there when the Imperial Family lived in the palace?  I've looked closely at old photos and can't tell from those either.  Does anyone know anything about them?

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The Alexander Palace / Re: Alexandra's Balcony
« on: September 10, 2006, 11:46:13 PM »
What a great photo.  I don't believe I have seen this view before. 

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