Alexandra's Formal Reception Room

[BobG]

I have read often that Alexandra received Ambassadors etc. in her formal reception room.  Does anyone know the approach these dignitaries would take into the room.
I presume they would not use the Family entrance, but would they use the "B" entrance to the Palace and then go through the libraries, or would they enter through "16" and proceed through the Parade rooms?

Is there any detailed description as to how these visits were handled?

[Forum Admin]

All "formal" guests went through the Parade Rooms.

[BobG]

How would they enter the Palace?  Though "B" and up to the Parade rooms through the Libraries?  It seems they might go throught Room "16" but they would have to walk through the courtyard.

[DanielB]

Hi Bob,

Oddly enough, it seems that the B entrance (Second Entrance as it was called then) was the Private Entrance reserved for members of the Imperial Family and that most visitors who called on the Emperor used the A (First) Entrance. This would make some sense though, as the Waiting Room and the Tsar’s Study were very close to this entrance.

But the Main Visitors’ Entrance was the C (Third) Entrance and the dignitaries who were received in the formal Reception Rooms used this entrance. (The D Entrance was used by members of the Household). As you will understand  by reading the sometimes misleading translation of the Court Journal descriptions of Diplomatic receptions in the « American Ambassadorial Palace Visits » on the Main Palace Site  ( http://www.alexanderpalace.org/palace/avisit.html ) , most of the time the dignitaries arrived in Court carriages to the 3rd Entrance and were met there by Court officials who led them in procession, usually through the Reception Room No. 21, the Crimson Sitting Room (20), the White Hall (19), then through the Parade  Halls (12, 11, 10), the Mountain Hall (9), the Great Library (3) a Small Library (2, also called Small Sitting Room (2) into the Formal Corner Reception Room (1, « Corner Sitting Room »). Interestingly enough, it was in this room that the Emperor received Ambassador’s Letters of Credence. Not very formal don't you think?! I would have done it in a Throne Room!!

[BobG]

Thanks, Daniel.
That now makes perfect sense to me and I appreciate the detail of the reply.  I assumed visitors to Nicholas used "A" but I was wondering how the shy Alexendra handled formal outside visitors.

[Antonio_P.Caballer]

I think the Imperial Family would also frequently use the first(A) entrance. There´s a short film footage(?) in one documentary where you can see the Empress with her daughters and lady in waiting coming out from that door to take a carriage that was waiting in front of the semicircular flight of steps.

[BobAtchison]

The first entrance was private and there are several films we have of the family leaving the palace through this door.

The second entrance was through the strange 'stag chamber' which was not very impressive.

I agree the amabssadors and most visitors were conducted through the third entrance as Daniel describes.  I have always wondered where they 'relaxed' before and after, since there was a bathroom there.  Perhaps the English suite?  Could they have used Maria's bathroom?

[BobG]

The first entrance was private and there are several films we have of the family leaving the palace through this door.

The second entrance was through the strange 'stag chamber' which was not very impressive.

I agree the amabssadors and most visitors were conducted through the third entrance as Daniel describes.  I have always wondered where they 'relaxed' before and after, since there was a bathroom there.  Perhaps the English suite?  Could they have used Maria's bathroom?

Bob,
I am confused as to what you are referring to as the "second entrance."  I am assuming the second entrance was the "B" entrance which leads through the libraries.  The "C" entrance leads through a Reception room.  The "D" entrance lead to the Right Wing of the Palace which is where you show the Stag Chamber on the AP Main page.  Exactly where was the Stag Chamber in relation to the Second entrance? I am always trying to figure out the exact layout of the Right Wing.
Bob G

[BobAtchison]

I have found accounts that say some went through the 'third' entrance - the next one to the right of the central entrance.  They went through here so they could go to rooms to refresh and get their uniforms in order before proceeding.  I have also found accounts that said some went through the entrance to the left of the central one.  This one was considered a private or personal entrance.  Being taken through here might have indicated some special honor.  How you arrived at the palace, how you processed through it, where you ended up, how long you were there and what happened afterwards was all closely watched within the diplomatic community and the court.  All of these details could indicate the attitude of the Tsar towards your country, government and you personally.  Nicholas was personally fond and close to the American Ambassador Mayre and showed him and his family every possible courtesy when they visited the palace.

[hikaru]

The ambassadors who met with Nicholas entered from the third entrance ( in the MAP of AP site refferes as the Entrance C ).
On the prerevolutionary maps they called in Entrance A but at the same time they called in Third Entrance.
THere was a big room where the guests could wait for the palace's servant . After this they entered to the Oak corridor , to the red passing room etc.

Usually the meeting  took about 30 minitutes.
Then Nicholas said good buy and guests enjoyed light meal prepared in the one of the parade rooms.

As Bob said that the time of the visit depends on the cimpathy of Nicholas to the country as well as to the
State 's interests.

Second entrance is the Entrance B which lead to the library. This was the entrance for the Family Members and for the close friends invited to the intimate dinners.


First Entrance is the Entrance A ( or previous C ) only for the Nicholas's family. Now it is the entrance to the Museum.

[hikaru]

Lanie ( and others)
I have found that Alexandra and daughters also met with the representatives of the "Red Cross" in the Formal Reception Room.

[BobG]

The ambassadors who met with Nicholas entered from the third entrance ( in the MAP of AP site refferes as the Entrance C ).
On the prerevolutionary maps they called in Entrance A but at the same time they called in Third Entrance.
THere was a big room where the guests could wait for the palace's servant . After this they entered to the Oak corridor , to the red passing room etc.

hikaru,
Could you explain the location of the Oak corridor, and the red passing room?  I cannot find them on the plan of the AP.
Any help would be apprecciated.
BobG

[hikaru]

They not entered oak corridor ( sorry I made a mistake)
From the Vestibul they went straight to the Red Passing Room (No. 20 in the Floor Plan of the AP Site)

Oak Corridor was on the right of the Vestibyul  ( No. 34) and it passe to the Alexandr III rooms ( I supposed that it was used by Sergey and Ella)

[BobAtchison]

I was able to get a photograph of the ambassador's entrance with servants waiting at the doors.  I am sorry not to post it here, but it's the only picture of a vestibule we have from before the revolution so we are saving it for the book which we are working on now.

I think one thing that made visiting the Alexander, Livadia or Nizhni Palaces different from others might be the 'personal home' aspect of it.  When you visited them you were invited to the personal home of the Tsar, not a government institution.

[hikaru]

I do not agree with Bob about visiting palace as private residence.
Palace was clearly divided into the official and private part.  ( Since 1904)
So the princip was the same as in the Winter Palace.
There was a special train schedule for the officials to visit Alexandr Palace.
It was the place for work and for leisure - just like in any other palaces.
In Crimea iin Petergot , t was some different, because the palaces were  made as resorts.