Grand Duke Ludwig IV

[Sarai_Porretta]

So much is known about Alexandra's mother and the maternal side of her family. However, I have not read very much about her father, Ludwig IV, and his side. Does anyone have more information about Alix's father and whom she is descended from with regards to that side of the family? I have read that, while a basically good man, he wasn't the most intellectual of characters and was more interested in military affairs; as such, he wasn't a very good match with Princess Alice, what with her sharp mind and progressive way of thinking. I have read in a biography of Princess Alice (Princess Alice: Queen Victoria's forgotten daughter by Gerard Noel) a rather remarkable letter she wrote to her husband basically pouring her heart out and outlining how unhappy she was with their marriage, how disappointing it was that he was not her intellectual equal, and how they did not have much in common at all.

I am also interested in learning more about Alix's relationship with her father. She and her brother Ernie spent the most time with him as the youngest children. I recall reading that she was rather attached to her father, and deeply shocked and affected by his death. As the only surviving parent she had while growing up, I imagine this must have been an important relationship. I know that she was raised in part by her grandmother Queen Victoria, but what about her father's role in her upbringing?

[masha]

Hi Sarai,

I was surprised to find a lot of information about the Empress' father in the book: "Prince Leopold, the untold story of Queen Victoria's youngest son" by Charlotte Zeepvat. Evidently, her uncle and her father developed a rather close relationship after the death of Princess Alice, and Leopold was a frequent visitor to Darmstadt. I'm afraid I can't recall all the details, so you'll have to track down the book.  I too would like to learn more about Alix's father - his childhood, family, etc. and to see more pictures of his side altogether to see where he got his good looks from. The more I look at him, the more I see a resemblance in a few of the Grand Duchesses.

[BobAtchison]

When she was young "Uncle" Leopold gave Alexandra the gold hoop bracelets that she could not remove in Yekaterinburg.

Bob

[Ilana]

The impressions that I have of GD Ludwig, was that he was always out riding and shooting -- leaving Victoria to deal with the child and to basically raise them herself with the help of both grandmothers.

[LisaDavidson]

I am interested.

[Ilana]

Me, too!

[Lisa]

Oooooh,yes!It will be welcome!

[BobAtchison]

Thomas - maybe you can write a page for the website on Ernie's writings in this regard...

Bob

[BobAtchison]

Yes - please - we would All LOVE it!

Bob

[LisaDavidson]

I will volunteer to review your English, Thomas. I think I can also get some help with this from my friend, Ilana Miller.

[Ilana]

No sweat, Lisa!
Hugs,
Ilana

[Janet Whitcomb]

Thomas, thank you!!!  

What a treat to be able to read Ernie's thoughts about his father!  Although I shuddered to read that he had burned some items . . . still, my mother has reached the point where I have to be sifting through her own items, since she isn't well enough to do so herself, so I can understand what Ernie was up against.

In my imagination--inspired by your words--I have a wonderful picture of the children lying on carpeting or sitting on stools near their father, reading and drawing, while he works at his desk.  

And then as Ludwig becomes older, bereft of his late wife's guidance, it is the children, now adolescents and young adults, who take on the responsibility of their father's welfare.

Really a wonderful thing that you have done for us.  When--and if--you have the time and energy and desire to translate more from Ernie's memoirs, we will certainly appreciate it!

[Janet Whitcomb]

Elisa, particularly in view of what happened, that's a very chilling quote. :-/

[NAAOTMA]

Dear Thomas,
Thank you for the wonderful memoir...it was like listening to Ernie talk out loud. Lovely. Melissa K.

[Ilana]

I've actually never seen any photographs of her.  She was supposed to be very beautiful, and the girls DID like her, but, of course, a marriage was out of the question.  There was a child, but I don't remember where I read that or what happened to the child.  That would be an intriguing study.  Somewhere there is a 1/2 brother/sister to the Hessian Children.

I don't think she lived in Romrod, but went back to Russia.  This is all from memory, so I may be mistaken.  She was bought off, and letters were returned, etc., etc. A typical blackmail situation, but VMH felt her father never got over it.

I gotta ask: "WHAT WAS HE THINKING???" He never understood what all the fuss was about.