Olga's official suitors, marriage prospects, and proposals

[Eric_Lowe]

I think Olga & Tatiana could have been married. Irina was married around that age and she wasn't that much older than Olga. Their cousin Tatiana Constantinovna also got married before the war. I don't think they were as out to society as their married cousins. Their mother Alicky do not believe that her daughters should be exposed to the parties of Kyrill & Ducky, Miechen or the Kleinmichaels. Those were the biggest hostesses of Russia and best place to meet people. Poor Olga was only allowed some dances at their grandmother's. The only available young men of suitable rank were the Constantinovitches.

[bonbon823]

Don't forget, though, Irina was not the daughter of the Tsar.  As such, it was correct that Alix was more particular with whom her girls would marry, but she did handicap the girls by not allowing them to be out in society much.  And then the war put an end to many society events which made it that much more difficult. 

[LisaDavidson]

Olga and Irina were the same age, so it would have been possible for Olga to marry prior to the war, had she anyone in he life she cared to marry at the time. However, I think it's a tad unfair to Alexandra to blame her for her daughters not having suitors by wartime. Many other girls were in similar situations - war kind of caught everyone by surprise and the Imperial daughters were not the only young women diverted from mate selection at the time.

[Eric_Lowe]

It could have happened had not both mothers were against it. Alicky did not believe Carol to be stable while Missy believe that Olga might carry the damaged gene to her family (like Alexei). Olga herself was not in favour of leaving the country and totally ignored Carol. Carol did not like Olga's looks and much prefer Tatiana or Marie. He could have married Marie, but Tsar Nicholas said no and come back in a few years. Marie was a heart-breaker.

[Kalafrana]

In 1914 Maries was barely 15, so definitely too young to marry.

As to Olga and Tatiana, it seems possible that Nicholas and Alexandra were cautious about early marriages because of the unfortunate examples of Marie of Romania and Victoria Melita. Obviously they were fully aware of vVctoria Melita's marriage breakdown, but were they aware of Marie's infidelities?

Ann

[Ally Kumari]

Carol asked for Marie in 1916. She was 17 then and could marry had she wanted to.

[Eric_Lowe]

Yes. Missy herself was married early too. There is no record of Marie refusing Carol. She could have been married.

[blessOTMA]

Well I think once the war started, that put a halt to marriages....or even thinking of them... the whole mechanism for such things  was on hold. Another piece of bad luck for the big pair was in 1913 the 300th anniversary  of Romanov rule was celebrated and I would think that would occupy  the court to the extent that  their coming out would be put off until 1914 and we all know what stopped it then...I think this was a close knit family and the girls were still quite young  and we  are told they were young for their age.  I sometimes wonder how serious the marriage idea of Olga and  Carol  was on the Russian side....certainly Romania wanted it ....wanted a Russian GD.... But who would think Olga and Carol could make a go of it? They seemed ill suited to me. 

[LisaDavidson]

And, Olga made it quite clear she was not interested in Carol. I disagree that had Alexandra been in favor of the match that it would have happened. She was a loving mother and would not have forced Olga. As I said, it was apparent that Olga had not met her match by the time the war started.

[blessOTMA]

And, Olga made it quite clear she was not interested in Carol. I disagree that had Alexandra been in favor of the match that it would have happened. She was a loving mother and would not have forced Olga. As I said, it was apparent that Olga had not met her match by the time the war started.

Indeed. I would like to see someone try to force Olga in such a situation! lol! But more to the point,  as you say Alix was a  loving mother....her will was amazing, but she could not stand up to a deeply emotional appeal...as Olga said herself about her mother , "and no one's grief as ever passed you by" ....Alix  did not force Olga to stay in the dressing room at the hospital, imo, she would not force a daughter to marry. Indeed  it might of been  a good bit harder for her to let go of a daughter ,rather than force one to marry!

[Kalafrana]

'Carol asked for Marie in 1916. She was 17 then and could marry had she wanted to.'

But Marie could barely have known Carol. Apart from the 1914 encounter, did they ever meet?

Time would have to be allowed for them to get to know one another, so I doubt that there could have been much progress before the February Revolution, even if Marie, Nicholas and Alexandra had been keen.

Ann

[Ally Kumari]

Yes -  she did not know him apart from brief meeting in 1914 and 1916. Oh - maybe she have met him in 1911, I think the Romanian crown couple and Carol made a visit to Russia. But it was definitely not a relationship. Maybe had she fancied him and really wanted to get marry she would be allowed to. But considering how immature the girls were at the age of 17, considering the war was still on and her elder sisters were umarried, I doubt it would be her own choice even if Nicholas had not dissmissed the matter.

[Kalafrana]

Yes - quite possible that Marie would have found the rather flashy Carol fanciable.

Ann

[Eric_Lowe]

I agree. It seems that Marie was into boys and should have been married early. In Greg King's book, she was the only one of the girls who had flirted with the guards and it landed her in trouble with her family. It was well known that Marie (though not very clever) would make someone a very good wife. It was my belief that had Nicholas II & Alexandra allowed, I think Marie might very possibly said yes.

[Ally Kumari]

I doubt that. as Kalafrana pointed out, she hardly knew Carol. Yes, she wanted to get married and start a family, but I´m positive love or at least mutual affection would have to take place first. I was merely saying that if she wanted to, she might have persuaded her parents. But she did not care.