The fact is Serge was not really likable.
If Serge were not really likeable then why did so many who knew him really like him?
The fact is a myriad of relations, friends, & staff professed to "like" "love" "trust" or "respect" the Grand Duke Serge.
Were they all insipid, disreputable, or blindsided by HIS incandescent charm?
i.e.,
Grand Duchess Elizabeth.
KR--& the Konstaninovich family.
Alexander 111 (Appointed Serge Governor of Moscow. Major honor.)
Grand Duke Paul.
Marie Alexandrovna.
Victoria of Battenerg & Ernest of Hesse.
Marie of Rumania--& sisters.
Grand Duke Kyril & Victoria Melita.
Princess Alexandra of Greece.
Princess Marie of Greece. (Outspoken "Minnie" of Greece said she "liked" Serge & described him always a "true friend".)
Zinaida Yusupov.
Fyodor Dostoevsky.
Countess Kleinmichel & daughters.
Countess Tolstoy. Leo Tolstoy.
The Pope.
General Laiming.
Etc.
Marie Pavlovna: "Those few who knew him well were deeply devoted to him..."