Yes, thanks indeed for the 2 part posting! The Grand Duchess (as Vorres points out in quoting GD Olga A., she alone of her siblings) was "born to the Purple," that is to say, she was born to an enthroned Emperor and Empress. Her older siblings were born during the time their father was the Heir. While the Grand Duchess did manage to retain some items of her regal past/family, some were quite simple. My sister owns (from a very reputable antiques dealer often mentioned here, coming from the Grand Duchess's estate) several monogrammed/numbered traveling linens of her mother, the Empress Maria F., and a simple handkerchief of the GD herself, monogrammed.....and with a darned/repaired worn hole. Poignant memories of "the times that were."
