The theory on the Yussupovs being far richer than the Romanovs is quite pausible!
It got me remembering something I've read in "Once a Grand Duchess: Xenia, Sister of Nicholas II"
by John Van Der Kiste. The Romanovs were accustomed to receive many items from stores since they did not do the shopping (ya know, because of their celebrity status and all that jazz...). The Empress was usually the one who went through most items and selected which item she would like to purchase. The author mentioned that since the Romanovs could not afford everything, the Empress had to return more items than she would keep. In this book, there was a story about how Grand Duchess Xenia discovered a beautiful, jewerly-decorated perfume, and she insisted to have it so she could present it to her mother for her birthday. When the Empress received it from Xenia, she instantly remembered how expensive it was and although she kept it for her daughter's sake, she told Xenia's nurse (or lady-in-waiting?) to never allow Xenia to take a peek on all items sent by stores because the family couldn't afford to keep all items Xenia wanted.
So, if Alexander III couldn't afford everything, then neither did his son. The theory sounds pretty good to me.
