The Yusupovs and the Romanovs' relationship

[helenazar]

I do not like the celebrated "sister" [the Grand Duchess Elizaveta Feodorovna Romanov]. In my opinion, she poses most impudently as a member of the family. She calls Irina by her Christian name, and evcn "Tata"! I strongly object to her behaviour. When I visit Irina I constantly find her there, lounging in a chair, without in the least understanding that her presence does not interest me. She sports a kind of operatic costume of a Sister of Mercy, and generally spoils the whole atmosphere by her presence. Irina seems to accept it all as inevitable, whereas I simply cannot stand it. You will see for yourself soon, when you come home. In the meantime,

I send you my best love,

MAMMA

IMHO this letter is probably talking about someone other than Ella. In Russian, the term "sister" actually refers to a "nurse", not a "nun", so Zinaida may have been using it in that context. Did Ella ever become a Sister of Mercy during the war, i.e. a nurse, like Alix and her two nieces Olga and Tatiana and Olga Alexandrovna and Marie Pavlovna the Younger? If not, then most likely she is not the culprit here. Since no specific name is mentioned, "the celebrated sister" could be almost anyone who was performaing duties of a war nurse at the time, and who wore a nurse's uniform.

[Annie]

 

The official language of the Russian aristocracy and the court was French so it makes sense that they wrote in French....

I know they knew French, but Felix had mentioned before in his books that he disliked the practice of Russians speaking to each other in foreign languages instead of Russian and that he and his brother annoyed 'old ladies' by answering them in Russian when asked a question in French. Because of that it makes me wonder why he'd write to his own mother in a language other than Russian, unless it was to sneak things by the censors (which they had mentioned in some of the letters)

Also, on the subject of 'no specific names' being mentioned, there is a reason for that too. Zenaida wrote to Felix and Anna Rodzianko in a 'code' where terms or silly nicknames were used to describe a person they didn't want anyone to know who they were talking about. Rasputin was 'the book', N and A were 'aunt and uncle', Nikolasha was 'Luck', and more. But in other letters Ella was referred to as 'aunt's sister' so again she may not have been the person mentioned. Whomever it was, they must have felt there was reason to avoid putting her name, and probably assumed the other would know who they were talking about anyway.

[helenazar]

Because of that it makes me wonder why he'd write to his own mother in a language other than Russian, unless it was to sneak things by the censors (which they had mentioned in some of the letters)

That's a good point, so maybe this was the reason.

[Johnny]

They wrote to each other in French and not Russian? Why? Could it have been to thwart the 'censors' they keep mentioning in their books? Surely their correspondance was usually in Russian?

Not them. Felix actually mentions in his memoirs that when he was a kid he would annoy all his mother's guests, who although being Russian weren't very fluent in it and prefered speaking French, by speaking Russian to them. But, I am almost certain that their correspondence was in French, just like many upper class people of the time.

[Annie]

I can't believe there are NO pics of them together, not even at Tsarskoe Selo:( What about Felix and Irina's wedding? Did the IF attend, I'm not sure. I know they got married on MF's territory and at the time they were firmly in the pro-MF anti-Alix camp so that might have had something to do with it?

[yusupovs_fan]

I have hears that Nicholas, Olga and Tatiana (don't know about the other girls) attended the wedding, but I've never seen any pictures of it.

[ashanti01]

I have never seen any photos of two families together. Would be intresting to see a photo of Felix with the Imperial Family

[Zenaida1861]

Yes, I would like that! Aren't there any of Zenaida and Ella and Alix? Is there a chance some still may exist that shows Zenaida with KR or Sandro?

[ashanti01]

I have yet to find any photos of the Yussupovs and Romanovs together...

I'm starting to wonder if any have survived or if they may be buried under some dust in storage.

[otmafan]

Here's Nicky and the girls at the Yussupov's palace.

[Annie]

Are there any Yussoupovs there?

[helenazar]

Here's Nicky and the girls at the Yussupov's palace.
 

Which palace is it?

[otmafan]

Are there any Yussoupovs there?

Nope. I couldn't find any. That's the closest I could find. Sorry.

[ashanti01]

I cannot believe how hard it is to find a picture of these two families together!!

I mean if they knew each other were close friends, saw each other at social functions, family events and no pictures???

Forgive me, I'm just at a lost trying to locate a photo of any Romanov and with the Yussupovs.

[otmafan]

I was looking on previous threads and found a picture Brian posted. I think Alexandra is on the right hand side. Is that her or someone else?