Russian Nobility in exile: various questions

[amelia]

I read somewhere that Natalia Brasova (GD Michael Alexandrovich's wife) was penniless and one day she discovered the Grand Duke's orders bestowed on him from different Countries. She thought that they were very valuable, so she went with her daughter for dinner in a very expensive Hotel but the following day she realized that the right thing to do was to return the orders to the Country who had bestowed them.She did so, because nobody wanted to buy them. I think Prince Yousupov helped her. In fact after her death there was no stone on her grave and he ordered one for her, due to the fact that she was after all, the last Empress of Russia.

Amelia

[Marc]

Grand Duchess Xenia was looked after by George V in terms of accommodation.

I read somewhere that when she died she had left substantial amount of money in her will...that means she was far from poor,but just didn't live that grand during her exile...

[Ausmanov]

Interesting topic I now know which biographies im going to buy next. I hardly know anything about nicholas's sisters

[katmaxoz]

Interesting topic I now know which biographies im going to buy next. I hardly know anything about nicholas's sisters

I've always had the impression that neither one of them were extravagant.  Despite growing up in a palace their parents ensured they lived a "simple" life in rather spartan and small quarters.  Olga never seemed to care much about physical possessions unless they had some sentimental association or bought back memories of people she cared about and Xenia seemed much the same though she took far more care with her appearance and seemed to place a higher value on her imperial past.  Olga's biographies are interesting though I thought Xenia's seemed more whitewashed for some reason.