did the children have the right to leave russia after the revolution?

[TimM]

Of course, later they all said "Well we didn't know what would happen!"  I guess they didn't realize what a heartless monster Lenin was.

[azrael7171918]

Actually the one who did offer help the Family refused. That was Wilhelm. He offered for Alexandra, The Girls and Ella.  The problem I have with George V is he never regretted his decision even after learning the children had been killed. This came out in the late 80s. Interesting how the royals in britain let Lloyd George take the blame for decades.
 

[Sarushka]

Of course, later they all said "Well we didn't know what would happen!"  I guess they didn't realize what a heartless monster Lenin was.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe Lenin was involved at the time the Windsors retracted their offer of asylum.

[TimM]

Well I think one of the reasons Lloyd George got the blame was that the decision would have ulitmately been his.  George V did not call the shots, he could only offer advice and suggestions.  Still it would have gone a long way if George V had manned up and said he would welcome Nicky and his family.  Even if the British Government had still said no, George could have at least said "I tried."

[mcdnab]

There was a bit of a problem either way - had George V insisted on the government offering asylum it would have been an unconstitutional act just as him insisting the offer was withdrawn would have been.
Arguably it was Lloyd George's responsibility - the Government made the initial offer (not the King), it was withdrawn a) at the request of the Provisional Government and b) after concerns relayed to the Government by the King's Private Secretary.
George V had a very strong view of his constitutional position far more than his father for example and it wasn't in his character to insist on anything with regard his official position (rather different to the way in which he conducted his private life and ran his household).
Over time of course the idea grew that the Government had hindered any offer of help or assistance and the King had been unable to act....which wasn't strictly true ...nor do I think there was any conspiracy theory designed to suppress the information.

[TimM]

at the request of the Provisional Government

You would think that the PG would have wanted to get the IF out of Russia.