Emperor Alexander and Princess Ekaterina Dolgoroukaya

[Martyn]

I'm pretty sure that Charlote Zeepvat in "The Camera and the Tsars" states that Ekaterina resisted becoming his mistress for a year after she left the Smolny.  I believe that the children were orphaned and penniless due to the extravagance of their father and enjoyed the patronage of the Tsar as a result of the regard that he had for their late father.
As Princess Yurievsky, she was renowned for her poise and elegance, and for an air of aristocratic hauteur that seems to have been natural as opposed to studied.
It is said that had Alexander not met such an untimely end, that, in spite of her being his morganatic wife, he may well have tried to make her his official consort.
It is also said that the Yurievsky's rooms were above those of the Empress Maria Alexandrovna, and that she was accustomed to hearing the footsteps of the children as they played on the floor above.  By the time of her death I think that she was reconciled to the idea of her husband's second family, and I think had met the children?
The sad fact in all of this is that when the Empress finally expired in 1880, after many years of ill-health, she was entirely alone.................

[Alexa]

Alexander II Nikolaevich Romanov + Yekaterina Mikhailovna Dolgorukaya, Princess Yurievskaya

Married 18 Jul 1880, Tsarskoe Selo

Georgi Alexandrovich, Prince Yurievsky 1872 - 1913
Olga Alexandrovna, Princess Yurievskaya 1874 - 1925
Boris Alexandrovich, Prince Yurievsky 1876 - 1876
Yekaterina Alexandrovna, Princess Yurievskaya 1878 - 1959

Does anyone have any pictures of the children?  I don't think I've ever seen any.

Thanks!
Alexa

[Angie_H]

[Alexa]

Thanks Angie_H.

Alexa

[Angie_H]

Welcome  

[ashanti01]

My thanks to everyone... now I need to find that movie
Katia which was made in 1959...does anyone know where I can find this movie or the book "Katia Wife before God" by Alexandre Tarsaidze???

[ashanti01]

THANK YOU JM!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Belochka]

where I can find this movie

I have a 2-DVD set called L'ubov Imperatora, which I purchased through e-bay. Although it is a Russian language compilation (w/o subtitles) it is a recent dramatization (1980's) of the affair Katya had with Alexander II, filmed on site in SPb where the actual events took place. The opening scene is when Katya, now no longer a student, encounters the Emperor in Letnyi Sad.

I have a vague recollection that the US movie started with Katya still a student in the Smolni Institute, where she is shown in uniform meeting the Emperor while he is on a courtesy visit.

ashanti01,

Tarsaidze's book is a supurb read. Many fascinating end-notes appear at the bottom of most pages. Enjoy your copy when you acquire it!  

[Johnny]

She was lovely.

[AGRBear]

...[in part] ...
Alexander II to his son, the future Alexander III, detailing the provisions he wished to be made Katia.
Dearest Sasha,
In case of my death I confide to you my wife and children of mine [by Katia]... My wife received no inheritance whatsoever and therefore, all that she owns now is her own....

Alexander II to his sister, Queen Olga of Wurttemberg on his decision to marry his mistress Katia Dolgorukova soon after the death of his first wife.
October 20 [November 1, new-style] 1880.
... I would never have married [Katia Dolgorukova] before a year of mourning if not for the dangerous time we live in and for the hazardous attempts I expose myself to daily which can actually and suddenly end my life. Therefore....

I was wondering if all the attempted assassinations on the life of Alexander II was one of the reasons he drew Katia closer to him and the reason he married Katia before the year of mourning was over.

AGRBear

[Belochka]

Hi AGRBear,

Yes it was THE reason. Alexander II, before his secret marriage to Katya, had already avoided numerous attempts on his life. He decided to formalize his relationship with Katya and their children, not knowing whether he would live to survive another day.

Alexander's intentions were expressed in a letter which he wrote to his sister Olga (Queen of Wurtemburg).  

[ashanti01]

Everything does seem to show Alexander knew he would not live very long, and wanted to marry Katia before it was too late...one can understand that...but still to put your mistress and your children by her under the same roof as your dying wife.... :-/
Thats even shocking for todays society

[Belochka]

Yes I agree the proximity of both families was way too close. It certainly enabled Alexander to move easily  'unobserved' away from the eyes of the general public and more importantly out of harms way from potential terrorists.

Although his first wife, Maria Alexandrovna was resigned to the affair, one can only feel profound sympathy towards her plight. None of us would like to be placed in a similar position.

Too much was happening in his personal life, and it seems he wanted to have it all while he could.

[koloagirl]

 
A belated many thanks to all of you who responded to
my request for a picture of Princess Dolgorukaya...you
are great!!!

Regards!
Janet R.

[Angie_H]

Just before she died didn't Maria Alexandrovna have AII bring his and Catherine's children to her room and she blessed them? I think I remember reading that somewhere. Here is a picture I found of Catherine on the web (a Russian site. At work I surf the net looking for sites on the family in other languages).