Countess Rantzau

[griffh]

Have any of the letters between Countess Rantzau and Alexandra survived?  Prince Von Bulow states in his autobiography that:  

"Among the friends of her youth was a Countess Rantzau, a sickly and somewhat underdeveloped girl, but good at heart ans what people used to call "a beautiful soul."  Princess Alix, even after her marriage, corresponded with the young Countess, and when the latter, who had been sickly from childhood, died young, the Empress of Russia did not hesitate when traveling to Darmstadt on her first visit to take the roundabout way via Kiel in order to lay flowers on the grave of her friend."  

 

[Janet_W.]

Excellent question, griffh!

I have also come across the name of Countess Rantzau, tho' in another source . . . at this moment, can't remember which one.

For those who would accuse Alexandra of being a difficult and practically friendless person, it's important to remember that she did have many friends, and that despite the numerous distractions and heartbreaks in her life, Alexandra was loyal and attentive to friendships both new and old.

[griffh]

Hey thanks Janet,

One of the reason's I was interested in Alexandra's correspondence with Countess Rantzau is that it would help to give more insights to the Alexandra's first decade as Empress.  I have always felt that the first decade of her life in Russia must have been extremely difficult for her.  I often wonder what she wrote to Queen Victoria.  Also is there any correspondence available to read between Alexandra and her sister Irene of Prussia?  It seems likely that this could also be a valuable source of information for that earlier period.