We've seen the photo of royals gathered for the coronation (in the thread we played guess the Grand Duchess). Here's a story about Arthur & Louise Connaught's attendance. QV 'who normally liked things to be simple, was determined on this occasion that her daughter-in-law should not be lost without trace amidst the unparalleled splendour of the Russian court. She lent her a collection of her own jewels. The lucky recipient and Prince Arthur were slightly nonplussed; they wondered if they were expected to insure these valuables; if they were, cover to the value of GBP 30,000 would be needed."
More impressions:
Arrived aboard the Victoria and Albert on 18 May and came alongside the quay in St Petersburg whereupon the left by special train for Moscow. There they lodged in a rich merchant's mansion which was situated near the Kremlin. They dined that night with N&A at the Petrofski Palace. PA thought Alix looked particularly well and 'handsome' and that being a little stouter (post-childbirth) 'suited her'. They also found N&A to be as nice and simple as always. On 21st May, PA wearing the uniform of the Scots Guards and the riband of the Russian Order of St Andrew, rode on horseback with many other royals directly behind the Tsar, who mounted on a white charger, made his state entry into Moscow. The clash of bells and the sounds of 100s cheering without intermission for 3 hours left PA with a horrible headache. PA thought NII looked very dignified but very young, pale adn 'almost sad'. 5 days later, after the Coronation, he wrote to QV that he imagined it was the most magnificent pageant one could ever see and thought he'd never witnessed anything as grand as the various vestaments of the Bishops and priests. He was particularly impressed when NII read out the belief in a strong tone. All in all, PA thought that both N&A bore the fatigues well, but with Nicholas seeming more tired. The Duchess wore a dress with a body & skirt of white satin studded with glittering steel & silver paillettes. The train was of gold brocade and augmented by a diamond necklace & QV's large stars in the form of a tiara. She also wore the red & silver ribbon of the Order of St Catherine and its large diamond star. PA regarded the disastrous Khodinka Field event as the fault of the police as they arrived too late to quell the crowds before the disaster. After several more balls & parties, they visited a foundling hospital. Here there were 1000+ infants under 1 mo and 900 wet nurses. Most of the children were illegimate and there was one full ward of premature (7 mos generally) infants in incubators.
