Messages

631

Films and TV shows about the Romanovs and Imperial Russia / Re: The Lost Prince

« on: April 21, 2004, 12:01:25 PM »

I have seen this drama and enjoyed it very much.  However, I do have some issues with how they portrayed Alix.  I will say no more until it's shown on American television.

632

The Hesse-Darmstadts (Hesse and by Rhine) / Re: Prince Friedrich Wilhelm (Frittie) and Princess Marie (May) of Hesse-Darmstadt

« on: April 21, 2004, 11:51:48 AM »

I have seen the monument.  It's extremely poignant.

633

The Hesse-Darmstadts (Hesse and by Rhine) / Re: The Hesse siblings, children of GD Ludwig IV

« on: April 21, 2004, 11:47:41 AM »

Louis Battenberg's memoirs are fairly short and only go up to his marriage to Victoria.  Perhaps publishing the two memoirs together would be a good idea.  However, it is up to the Countess Mountbatten, I would think.

634

Books about the Romanovs and Imperial Russia / Re: Recommended reading/Valid sources/Advice for beginners on Romanov books

« on: April 13, 2004, 12:06:02 PM »

I very much liked Prince Michael's photo book on the Romanovs....NICHOLAS AND ALEXANDRA: THE FAMILY ALBUMS.

635

The Hesse-Darmstadts (Hesse and by Rhine) / Re: Grand Duke Ludwig IV

« on: April 12, 2004, 09:11:30 PM »

No sweat, Lisa!
Hugs,
Ilana

636

Imperial Claimants Post Here / Re: Imperial Family Claimants Post Here . . .

« on: April 12, 2004, 07:14:49 PM »

Hey, NAAOTMA,
Wrong, hello, excuse me.... my dog is actually the reincarnation of Grand Duchess Anastasia Nicolaivna... so there....She CAN prove it, but sadly, she can't talk.

637

The Hesse-Darmstadts (Hesse and by Rhine) / Re: The Hesse siblings, children of GD Ludwig IV

« on: April 12, 2004, 06:16:40 PM »

Irene destroyed her pre-1918 papers.

VMH's memoirs, as Greg said, are pretty much about traveling around with Louis and his career.  There is a copy of those memoirs at Darmstadt as well.  I actually think there wouldn't be any general (now I said general, so don't everyone get upset!) interest in publishing these memoirs.  VMH, while an amazing character in lots of ways (and I've spent years with her), didn't "DO" anything, really... so hard to promote, except by saying who she was related to, etc.  And, perhaps that wouldn't be enough for a publisher.

638

Alexandra Feodorovna / Re: Alix & Ella & the Hessian Siblings

« on: April 12, 2004, 06:10:55 PM »

It's funny, my impression is that Victoria and Ella were the closest of sisters, not Victoria to Irene.  Irene was considered somewhat backward in the family, and because both of their husbands were in the Navy gave Louis a chance to report on the German Navy, but I don't think they were particularly close as naval wives.  I also felt that the wars inserted a bitterness in their relationship that was not present, strangely, in Victoria's relationship with Ernie.  

Victoria, however, mothered those children, and the sisters seemed to have a conspiracy to keep the harshest realities of life from Ernie.  There seemed to be an unspoken agreement between Irene and Victoria not to tell Ernie the graphic details of Ella's death... they wrote about to him in generalities.  I'm sure he found out for himself as time went on, but not from his sisters.

639

Books about the Romanovs and Imperial Russia / Re: A Poet Among the Romanovs/J. Saenz

« on: April 10, 2004, 01:47:25 PM »

Lisa,
I believe the author may have checked in on this forum!
Hugs,
Ilana

640

The Hesse-Darmstadts (Hesse and by Rhine) / Re: Grand Duke Ludwig IV

« on: April 10, 2004, 01:43:02 PM »

Me, too!

641

Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna / Re: Ella's grave in Jerusalem & her relics

« on: April 10, 2004, 01:41:43 PM »

I have been to Ella's place of burial in Jerusalem.  It is in the Church of St. Mary Magdalen in Eastern Jerusalem.  From the terrace you see a wonderful view of the old city of Jerusalem.  She is in a coffin on one side of the iconostasis of the church while her attendent Barbara (Varvara) is on the other side.

The top of her coffin is clear glass and you can see her body.  Her face is covered by a lace hankerchief and her hands and feet have mits on them... but you can see the outlines of her face -- it's very, VERY spooky.

The nuns there are charming and love it when someone shows up who can tell them something about their beloved Ella.

Prince Alice of Greece and Denmark (nee Battenberg) is also there....

642

The Myth and Legends of Survivors / Re: Anastasia Claimant - Anna Anderson a.k.a Franziska Schanzkowska

« on: April 10, 2004, 01:29:48 PM »

I think that Janet is on to something here.  I believe that Anna Anderson believed in her core that she was Anastasia... she could have taken a lie detector test and passed it.  It reminds me of OJ... by the end of the trial, he was utterly convinced that he didn't do the murders, and I think really believed it... not that anyone else did.  

643

The Imperial Family / Re: The Romanovs in documentaries (screenshots) and on rubles

« on: April 06, 2004, 04:53:28 PM »

Have seen that film that you're talking about, Janet, and think it's hilarious.  They are just meandering around to the camera...and you're absolutely right, someone was undoubtedly shouting (respectfully of course) walk around, walk around.

644

Books about the Romanovs and Imperial Russia / Re: Fiction recommendations on the Romanovs

« on: April 05, 2004, 04:49:10 PM »

Janet...

Nope...it's just a fun time travel book, with it's own little survival story.  Not going to reveal the details.  Check it out, you'll enjoy it.

Ilana

645

The Windsors / Re: Prince Albert Victor (Eddy)

« on: April 05, 2004, 04:47:23 PM »

"Sorry if there's some confusion on that account.  A former poster here proposed that Alix was Queen Alexandra's daughter in order to build some sort of justification to explain his discredited belief system.

Alix was by all accounts and most likely the daughter of Princess Alice.  "


So I've always been led to believe....