Nicholas II - Early Crushes - plus Mathilde and Alix

[Janet Whitcomb]

Mathilde was not the first, nor will she be the last, of a certain type of woman who trades on her charm and talents. She was undoubtedly a pleasant diversion for Nicholas and any number of other men. Also, in a time when women had fewer options, she played her cards wisely and came out ahead. However, none of this can excuse the bad behavior which has been mentioned in previous postings. If Life is a "slippery slope," it would seem that she learned to ski down that slope quite efficiently. We can admire, perhaps, such rogues from a distance, but get close to them and you'll find it can be hurtful and often treacherous.

[Janet Whitcomb]

Golly! You've seen the photos of her at that age, right?!  For my money, the prettiest of the four surviving sisters. (Despite Ella's famed beauty . . . )

Plus, I'm sure Nicky sensed in Alix the kind of strong, steely personality also inherent in his mother.

Alix was also serious, which would appeal to a young man such as Nicky, who wanted to marry someone wishing to settle down and have a family, rather than party and flirt. Her shyness also must have been an attraction, and perhaps her plight as a virtual "orphan" may have had some appeal. Plus, his Uncle Sergei had married her older sister, who have proven herself to be a definite asset to the family.  

In short, Alix was the ying to Nicky's yang.

[BobAtchison]

Alexandra's 'sad' look was a way people thought you should be photographed when she was growing up.  In my opinion, after her mother died she probably got more attention (and love) from Grandmother and other relatives when she looked 'the sad lost child'...

Alix was a very quiet person and so was Nicholas.  They could spend hours happily together not speaking.  In this way they suited one another.  However, their silence drove other people nuts sometimes.

Alix's silence was considered haughty, same with her emotionless face.  I imagine she learned that from her Grandmother.

It's wonderful when we see her smile in film and in pictures.

My favorite story about Alix and laughter is where she has a pillow fight with the girls....

Nicholas disliked noisy people and hated arguments or raised voices.  Howevere - he did love his own children's shrieks and laughter - as well and the raucous din of an officer's mess....

Bob

[anna]

I've never seen that photo taken in Gatchina. But in Perter Kurth's book Tsar there's a lovely photo, taken down the stairs to the garden in Peterhof. Nicky is kissing Alix and Xenia sits on Sandro's lap looking very much in love, while Olga A. is jumping down the stairs with a big smile on her face.

Anna

[Jmentanko]

What has become of the house Nicholas purchased for Mathilda? Has anyone seen it?

[Valmont]

I agree with Janet,  it is an example  worth of admiring but hardly worth of imitaing.
I am also curious about the house, Greg King wrote an article and mentions the house, Does anyone knows if he was actually there?


Aturo Vega-Llausás

[NAAOTMA]

Janet has expressed it so well (yet again).

The tradition of a young prince being discreetly "introduced to life" with women who are not in his "marriage pool" or his social sphere has been a long standing and in some ways "practical for them" solution for royals since time began.

Now there would be an hour long TV interview with the ballerina. Then a book and movie deal. Ugh.    Melissa K.

[Jmentanko]

I don't like calling Mathilde an innocent little plaything. She was a talented dancer and was an attractive person, in every way. I like her.

[Janet Whitcomb]

Hi JM--

Intially when I read Dancing In St. Petersberg I was impressed and liked Mathilde very much.  I realized, of course, there was quite a bit she wasn't telling us . . . but then autiobiographies were a lot less forthcoming 30, 40 and 50 years ago!  

However, after reading some of the information in this forum, my opinion of her has changed. I rather think she's telling us the truth--for the most part--about her relationship with Nicholas. But I also think she's being a bit more coy (or selective?) about certain things that would reflect ill on her.

It does appear that she was superb at looking out for herself--and good for her--but not always in an above-board way.  Despite her travails, she does seem to have landed like a cat every time.   (Maybe due to dancer's technique?!)  

When consideing Mathilde it's also important to take into consideration the relationship of the Romanovs to ballet. The Grand Dukes were not only great patrons of the dance, but also found "happy hunting" among the scores of ballerinas in St. P.  A bit like politicians going after Hollywood actresses, New York models, or national beauty queens! And any young woman entering this profession knew very well that while it would be physcially and artistically challenging, becoming a ballerina also held the promise of glamour plus possible patronage from certain members of the royal family and other high-stratosphere "players."

Mathilde was undoubtedly a suprememly talented dancer, and I'm sure it would have been delightful to have attended her parties and to have moved in her social circles. But it seems--as with most people!--there was a whole lot more to her than met the eye . . . or that she would divulge!  

[Jmentanko]

Janet- I agree with everything you say.  

I like Mathilde for several reasons. She had talent. As far as I know she never "bad-mouthed" the Empress or became bitter because she couldn't stay with Nicholas. She seemed social and maybe a little manipulative- but that isn't always a bad thing. When in exile she proved that she could support herself and her family. Finally, she just seems so damn charming!

[Valmont]

When Greg King was describing what he had found out about Mathilde, I could not help to think about someone I knew when I was in college, of course she did not have a relationship with a member of a Royal family, (not that I knew really), she was very glamorous and did not care to make any enemies from rigth to left, she used anyone she could to  reach her goals, and even had some people beat by someone else....now... she is a respectable, charming, polite housewife, who does  a lot of charity work..I do not think she will ever be the topic of any discussion forum, but  I picture Mathilde  something like her, but in a MUCH higger  level.

Arturo Vega-Llausás

[bookworm8571]

I always pictured Mathilde as a classic courtesan who used all her talents to best advantage in a time when smart women didn't have many options. Good for her. If she took advantage of the Romanov men, I think it's clear they were happy to be taken advantage of.

If Mathilde did sell out her brother and betrayed her country that is, of course, a different matter entirely.

[Sarai_Porretta]

What has become of the house Nicholas purchased for Mathilda? Has anyone seen it?

There is a picture of the "house" (actually described as a palace) in Peter Kurth's Tsar: The Lost World of Nicholas and Alexandra (pg. 38). The book was published in 1995 and the photo looks current, so I would think it safe to assume that the house still survives. The picture shows the rear entrance that Nicholas often used. The caption by the picture says that "the mansion was sacked in March 1917 and later became Lenin's headquarters."

[Jmentanko]

Saira, I liked Kurth's book. It was wonderful to see so many "big" pictures.

The Kirov Museum? I think these are pictures of Mathilde's palace when it was a museum.

http://www.nlr.ru:8101/eng/line/spbpcards/pet1/2.htm

These are great pictures of Mathilde.

http://www.ballerinagallery.com/kschessi.htm

[Jmentanko]

What a great present for Nicholas to give Mathilde! I daresay ballerinas today don't live like that.