Messages

31

The Myth and Legends of Survivors / Re: Offers of Asylum - How Many?

« on: April 09, 2017, 12:38:12 AM »

Victoria Milford-Haven, Alix's sister and the girls' maternal aunt, heard that the girls were left alone in Tobolsk and it was then that she offered to bring them to England. The family was reunited before anything could be done.

32

Balkan Royal Families / Re: King Mihai of Romania and his family

« on: April 08, 2017, 01:45:50 PM »

Thank you to our FA for his friendship and support.

I would like to clarify that I have been acquainted with various members of the Royal Family over many years and have nothing but respect for all of them, including Prince Radu. I don't know why DavidH has behaved as he has, but I have tried to explain my reasoning and remarks to the best of my ability.

Above all, I would like this family to endure past the current generation. I just don't know how that will happen given the current circumstances.

I fail to see how saying I think Prince Radu wants to be King is so offensive. He's married to Crown Princess Margarita and if the monarchy is restored, he will be King of Romania if she ascends the throne after her father. Radu has never given me the impression he is anything but completely devoted to the monarchy, King Michael, his wife, and his country.

The foregoing is my opinion, and if you don't agree....well there is no reason to keep this going.

33

Balkan Royal Families / Re: King Mihai of Romania and his family

« on: April 06, 2017, 10:52:44 PM »

Let's look at the facts:

1. King Michael, who is elderly and ill with cancer, is the only male dynast currently part of the Romanian Royal Family. He currently spends much of his time in Switzerland due to illness.
2. The only other potential male dynasts, who according to King Michael are the only ones who can succeed their aunt, Margarita, are Nicholas Medforth Mills, formerly Prince of Romania, and his cousin Michael Kreuger.
3. As Michael's designated successor, Margarita is past childbearing age.
4. After her father passes, she will either have to name one of her nephews her successor or allow the dynasty to become extinct.
5. Therefore, in order to survive, this dynasty will have to name one of the two young men heir.

None of the above statements are opinion, they are facts.

Clearly, from 2007 through 2015, according to the family statutes, the heir after Margarita was Nicholas. Again, this is not an opinion.

What was an opinion was when I said "I have the impression that Radu wants to be king". Now this was clearly subjective, and on this point, I told you we would have to agree to disagree.

Also an opinion was that Nicholas had a falling out with Radu. This statement is based on what I have been told by individuals who know all the parties involved. If you choose to not believe me, so be it.

But I see no reason to belabor these points as I have provided what explanations I see fit.

34

Films and TV shows about the Romanovs and Imperial Russia / Re: Historical Accuracy of Anastasia (1997) - Backlash

« on: April 04, 2017, 03:53:07 PM »

Please understand all of this happened 20 years ago. Here is what I recall:

A mutual friend contacted me to say that parts of a biography posted to the APTM which I wrote was quoted without attribution or permission on a website promoting the upcoming release of the animated feature. Bob also became aware that some of his artwork was used on the same site, again without attribution or permission.

I initially thought all I had to do was contact Fox, as a close relative of mine was an employee there, and he could get our work taken down or at least attributed to us. He got back to me rather quickly and said he was told to back off, and that Fox was unwilling to uphold our copyright and we could just sue. Bob and I eventually found an attorney who was willing to represent us pro-bono. Our attorney got Fox to take down the copy and artwork without admitting wrong doing.

It was about getting proper respect for Anastasia and the Imperial Family for both of us. I don't know about Bob being quoted in the New York Times. I trust him for whatever he may have said to them.

At the time, I had a young child who was very confused by all the misinformation and as a parent, I object to the irresponsible mixing of fact and fiction.

I had no problem then or now with anyone discussing the film itself. I do think as the years passed that many became interested in the Imperial Family because of the cartoon. While this may be fortunate, I still feel the memory of that poor girl was not well served. She was brutally murdered by drunken uncaring men and those who mistold her story scarcely had more respect for her than the Bolsheviks did that horrible night in Yekaterinburg.

35

Rulers Prior to Nicholas II / Re: Emperor Alexander I vs Fedor Kuzmitch

« on: April 02, 2017, 08:21:39 PM »

Where is the evidence? There are rumors about the crypt of Alexander I being empty, but no verifiable proof.

36

Rulers Prior to Nicholas II / Re: Peter II homosexuality in the palace

« on: April 02, 2017, 07:55:35 PM »

I doubt this is true.

Peter II Alexievich was a teen aged Emperor whose father was imprisoned and who was then subject to the control of courtiers such as Menshikov and Dolgoruki. He was controlled by them and by the alcohol that his handlers fed him.

It is doubtful that he ever had the chance to figure out his sexuality because both factions thrust women of their own families at Peter in an attempt to further control the boy.

His is a tragic story and with his death, childless, the direct male line of Peter the Great became extinct.

37

Books about the Romanovs and Imperial Russia / Re: In the Marble Palace

« on: April 02, 2017, 02:41:46 PM »

Joana: What is your email address?

38

Balkan Royal Families / Re: King Mihai of Romania and his family

« on: April 02, 2017, 01:34:26 PM »

We will have to agree to disagree on this.

Margarita has two nephews only. If they want to maintain a royal house, one of them will have to become a Prince of Romania. This is because of their house laws.

Who do you suggest to lead the family after the inevitable death of King Michael?

39

Films and TV shows about the Romanovs and Imperial Russia / Re: Historical Accuracy of Anastasia (1997) - Backlash

« on: April 02, 2017, 01:23:02 PM »

I think I understand your point, and I do "have a dog in this fight". Several, as a matter of fact!

Bob and I had our work plagiarized by the producers of the film. Specifically, Bob's artwork and my writing. I don't know if you have been the victim of theft before, but I can tell you that both Bob and I and our families were also effected. It was not pleasant, but we finally succeeded in getting our work taken down.

Anastasia Nicholievna's 1st cousin once removed, Marina Vasilovna, Mrs. Beadleston, objected to the film because it mixed fact and fiction. Had they wanted to present "a fairy tale" the producers could have made up a tsar and his daughter who had a story with no resemblance to that of Nicholas II and his youngest daughter. Instead, they deliberately muddied the waters. As a more distant cousin and an historian, I also object to this.

Bob did a beautiful website called "My name is Anastasia" to show the real girl to try to show who Anastasia really was to childen.

40

The Yussupovs / Re: Princess Irina Yusupova,nee Romanova - discussion and pictures

« on: April 02, 2017, 12:51:23 PM »

I've always felt a bit sad for Irina Alexandrovna. She grew up with the older pair and survived. She must have been terribly sad at times.

41

Forum Announcements / Re: Forum Members Not Heard From in a Long While

« on: March 12, 2017, 03:26:52 PM »

Yes and constantly doubting the results of every kind of testing every time they have been tested. I have totally lost respect for the ROC as a result.

42

Balkan Royal Families / Re: King Mihai of Romania and his family

« on: March 12, 2017, 09:32:39 AM »

The Romanian royals have not been without controversy. Prince Nicholas was offered a place within the royal family and then had a falling out with Radu a short while ago.

I have the impression that Radu wants to be King after his father in law passes. I neither see or want that to happen!

43

Forum Announcements / Re: Forum Members Not Heard From in a Long While

« on: March 12, 2017, 09:23:46 AM »

Thank you for your kind words.

Culturally, the Romanovs have gone through many ups and downs since their murder. I suppose it is to be expected. With much but not all of the controversies resolved, many don't post as often as before. Some of us may feel our voices  need not be heard, or do not have the urgency they once did.

As to online friends, I am saddened by the losses such as yours, Tim M, of those like RBH. My personal policy is and has always been, I use my real name, and if we are friends, I share my email and cell phone. That doesn't mean there have not been bumps in the road.

I once befriended a teen from here who was attending college and we talked and emailed and phoned for years. Then he wanted to come out to CA and meet. I asked him if he told his parents of his plans and he assured me he had. So I picked him up at LAX and after driving him around for the better part of a day, he told me he had to leave. I never got the full story, but my guess is he never told his parents of his plans and they must have freaked after hearing horror stories about the awful things that happened to kids from online friendships.

The sad part about the Imperial Family for me is that their church has apparently abandoned them just as so many so called friends must have after the Revolution.

44

The Final Chapter / Re: INVESTIGATION OF THE ROMANOV REMAINS HAS BEEN REOPENED

« on: March 12, 2017, 08:59:19 AM »

Rightly or not, the Russian Orthodox Church has come out very poorly in this. It has given me the impression that they care more for their former Bolshevik masters than the Imperial Family.

45

The Imperial Family / Re: Grand Duke Pavel Alexandrovitch,his 1st wife Alexandra & their family

« on: March 12, 2017, 12:09:44 AM »

Carolath Hapsberg - the birthdate from Wikipedia was actually sourced back to the biography of Grand Duke Paul written by Dr. William Lee and me for the book "The Grand Dukes" published in 2010. The date we used was 21 September 1860 old style and 3 October 1860. I'm away from home so don't have either my notes or the book to provide you with our source.