Actually, Nicholas II had an older brother, Alexander, who was Tsarevich and groomed to be the successor of Alexander III. Nicholas was second in line, rather bookish, and felt, I suspect, like a plain book between the bookends of the popular Alexander and his very intelligent brother George. After Alexander died, Nicholas became Tsarvich but felt the crown should go to George and probably thought about giving it to George but George had developed tb and George was not fit to rule. He probably thought about giving it to Michael.... The sudden death of Alexander III was premature... Nicholas knew Michael was too young. So, Nicholas II hesitately took the throne.... And, because he hadn't been groomed, he little understood the world of politics the day he was crowned....
AGRBear
Note of correction. Nicholas II did have a brother who died in infancy as Olga, who follows this note, quite rightly set me and the record straight. I don't know what I was thinking. It was his father Alexander III who had the older brother. So this should read:
Nicholas was rather bookish, and felt, I suspect, like a plain book next to his very intelligent brother George...
Gosh, second mistake I made yesterday. Must have been tired... Sorry folks. And, thanks Olga :)