Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna-elder, wife of GD Wladimir

[Eric_Lowe]

Yes. She was a very demanding woman and usually get her own way. She did not care the grief she caused others (her own daughter included).

[Vecchiolarry]

Hi,

I think admiring her from afar is the best way to view her.
I like her and find her fascinating;  but I didn't have to deal with her - so that may be a whole different 'kettle of fish'........

As for her home in Contrexeville - - I think it is now an expensive hotel;  but I've never been to Contrexeville, so I don't know for sure.
Contrexeville is a spa type city (town) in Northeastern France.  Popular in the 19th and early 20th centuries but little heard of now-a-days...

Larry

[Stardust]

I don't like her much at all. I find her interesting certainly and I do realize that she played a necessary role in her entertaining of the court and high Russian society...but there is no doubt she was a woman with an agenda and two faced at that.
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You couldn't have put that one better edubs31!

[Eric_Lowe]

Not to mention selfish and lack of tact. Czarina Marie Feodorovrna was the genuine grand dame, gracious and friendly without an agenda.

[ashanti01]

Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna

[Eric_Lowe]

Her granddaughter Marie (daughter of Kyril & Ducky) was an exact copy of her.

[Stardust]

Wow!  I never seen that one.

[Clelia]

Maria Pavlovna, before her marriage, with an unidentified woman. Any idea of who she might be? I think Alexandrine of Prussia.

[Svetabel]

Maria Pavlovna, before her marriage, with an unidentified woman. Any idea of who she might be? I think Alexandrine of Prussia.

Looks very much like Alexandrine.

[Eric_Lowe]

Miechen looks more handsome than beautiful is shown in this picture.

[Kalafrana]

Both of them look pretty unhappy!

Ann

[Alixz]

Unfortunately, most people look unhappy in photos from the last century.  :-(

Eric, you made a post wherein you said that Grand Duke Paul and Princess Paley had a house in France were they lived while in exile, but could return after the revolution. I am sure that you meant Princess Paley could return there as Grand Duke Paul was murdered in January 1919 outside the Fortress of St. Peter and Paul.

Did Princess Paley have the funds to return to their house or was she as destitute as most exiles?

As to Marie Pavlovna, I didn't like her much when I first read about her, but over the years, I have come to see her a little differently. I don't think I would have liked to have to fight against her as Alexandra did.

[Eric_Lowe]

Yes. I meant unlike most Romanov who rented villas, Grand Duke Paul & Princess Paley bought the house in Paris and used it as his principle residence in exile. When he and his family were allowed to return to Russia. Grand Duke Paul sent most of his art collection and furniture back to Russia, leaving the Paris house almost bare. Grand Duchess Marie Paulovna the younger wrote about the place extensively in her memoirs "A Princess In Exile". Eventually Princess Paley sold the big house and use the proceeds to live and purchase a smaller apartment with her surviving daughters. 

Miechen also bought property outside of Russia. She actually died in her own house in Contrexeville, France. 

[Stardust]

Read the book " Flight of the Romanovs"  few years back.  If I can remember.... it said that Maria Pavlovna had affairs with young guards and that her liaison included a Grand Duke.  I know that this could be rumors,  but the question is did she have affairs?

[Eric_Lowe]

Not quite sure. Highly unlikely with a common guard. Miechen is no Maria Christina of Spain (mother of Isabel II of Spain). She might with a grand duke.  However I think her overriding passion was power, money and intrigue. romance did not seem to be part pf her equation.