Video of Alexandra

[Tim]

One constantly reads that society thought Alix was cold and haughty. Of course, she was very shy and very private. However, I recently saw some footage of the Tsar and her celebrating the 300th Anniversary of the Romanov's and in the procession she was constantly smiling and bowing to the assemblage. Hardly cold and haughty. What are your views?

[Justine]

Could you post the picture you mean?
And welcome to the AP, by the way

[Tim]

Sorry Justine, I cant as it was a documentary on either the History Channel (otherwise referred to as the Nazi or WW11 Channel)or Discovery, maybe in July or August? The Grand-duchesses followed- suitably escorted.

But to get back to Alexandra Feodorovna, it was quite remarkable, she was smiling broadly to the gathered dignitaries and bowing with virtually every step, with her hand holding the Tsar's arm.

Incidentally, I've just treated myself to The Last Tsar by Larissa Yermilova. It is stunning - have you seen it?

Regards
Tim

[imperial angel]

Well, if you really get to know Alexandra's personality as much as you ever can through reading books about her, and through trying to see her in a human way, you realize she was far from cold and haughty. She was said to be that way by some then, but it was more gossip and rumour than much else. In public, it is true she could be seemingly cold and haughty, but it was just shyness. I suppose as well, coming back to what you observed, that on some occassions she might have been less shy than others, and seemingly more friendly, so she was being more herself.

[Alixz]

I've seen that archival footage and I only see the "bob and nod" of an Empress walking with her husband and family through a crowd of admirers.

Check out the "weak" "royal wave" practiced by the British Royals.  I don't see any personallity traits in that display.  Nor do I see any in the footage of Alexandra in 1913.

The only member of the British Royal Family to show any real warmth and feeling was the Queen Mother.  Yes, she also did the "royal wave" but in her face one could see the joy and love she felt.

I doubt Alexandra could have pulled off an "aloof" attitude if she was quaking in her boots.  This was the celebration of 300 years of Romanovs.  She wanted Alexi to sit on the throne and his descendents to sit for 300 more.

She did what was required of an Empress for once.  That and nothing more.

(Gosh, I'm crabby tonight)

Edited for spelling

[Sarushka]

Is this the footage you're thinking of?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WE_fIGS3y-8

[Alixz]

I had not seen it from that angle before, but that appears to be the one.

The other angle, from the "right" side of the Empress and Emperor is a longer film and also shows all of the Grand Duchesses following behind their parents on the arm of one officer or cousin or another.

And I was crabby last night.  Sorry.

[Georgiy]

I mentioned in some other thread about the head bobbing (actually bowing) and the effect it had on contemporary people - it wasn't just the Empress, but all the females, and the person writing about it, years later remembered it and how nice a feeling it created in the people. It might be added that we bow before icons and when we make the sign of the Cross. other people are also 'icons' in that they are Images of God as (we believe) people are created in the image and likeness of God. So bowing at people signifies that and reminds us that all are in God's image.

[Tim]

Well the footage shown was not what I saw, but could have been at the same occasion. What I saw was the Empress smiling broadly and unmistakably and she was bowing not bobbing and nodding, but I suppose that’s open to interpretation.

Incidentally,  I don’t think the British Royal Family have “weak” waves. I think how they wave is entirely appropriate for the times we live in.  The gutter press lauded Sarah Ferguson when she first married the Duke of York for being “so down to earth” and waving like a um errr, like a natural person ( as opposed to the Royals ) but shortly after her ummm mistakes she was criticised for being too undignified.  I don’t think anyone could accuse The Queen of being a “weak” person/wave and lacking warmth. My point is that perceptions are so personal.

Georgiy. I too saw the other angle, from the "right" side of the Empress and Tsar, It is a longer film and also shows all of the Grand Duchesses following behind their parents on the arm of an officer.  My impression was very positive.

[Sarushka]

Georgiy. I too saw the other angle, from the "right" side of the Empress and Tsar, It is a longer film and also shows all of the Grand Duchesses following behind their parents on the arm of one office. My impression was very positive.

I have part of that film as well -- unfortunately my clip begins after the tsar and empress have already passed the camera. It was taken in Moscow in 1912.