Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna, discussion and pictures Part 2

[mcdnab]

I am reminded rather of the concern expressed over the plans of the Princess Irena Alexandrovna to marry Felix Yussupov and his rather poor reputation at the time - and Grand Duke Alexander's belief that there was reason to be concerned whilst his slightly more naive wife Grand Duchess Xenia was inclined to dismiss the rumours as it seems was Marie Feodorovna.
As to Olga she had opportunity to protest between the proposal and the wedding which she by her own admission didn't because she wanted above all to stay in Russia. I can't believe if she'd really wanted to she'd not have been able to protest to Nicholas as she'd done so over the replacement of Nana a few years earlier.
Certainly the two mother's got on well and certainly Peter's mother was keen on the match - also it's worth remembering that unlike with her elder children Marie F's relationship with Olga was not good.
Arranged marriages for Royalty were not that unusual even by this period and often turned out well, I suspect that her mother believed it might be for the best.

[Aglaya]

[Svetabel]

The last picture shows the Grand Duchess among the peasants and other people in Ramon, the estate of the Oldenburgs.

[Twobsbob]

Does anyone know the address of the house where Olga died in Toronto?  I've checked both Vorres and the more recent Phoenix book, both mention a hair dressing salon on Gerard Street, but no exact street address.  I will be in Toronto soon, and I thought I'd check to see whether a plaque or something has been erected in her memory.

Thank you

[historyfan]

Does anyone know the address of the house where Olga died in Toronto?  I've checked both Vorres and the more recent Phoenix book, both mention a hair dressing salon on Gerard Street, but no exact street address.  I will be in Toronto soon, and I thought I'd check to see whether a plaque or something has been erected in her memory.

Thank you

I live not far from Toronto, actually.  To the best of my knowledge, there is no plaque at the house, but you can visit her gravesite at York Cemetery.

[Eric_Lowe]

Would love to visit there one day ! Is York cemetery close to downtown Toronto ?

[historyfan]

No, but it looks like you can take the subway.

Here's some links.:

http://www.findagrave.com/php/famous.php?page=cem&FScemeteryid=639389
And a map showing you where it is - it's the "A" marker.  http://maps.google.com/maps?client=safari&rls=en&q=york%20cemetery%20160%20beecroft&oe=UTF-8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wl

[Clelia]

Olga and Misha

[Nicola De Valeron]

I'm a not a fan of Olga Alexandrovna. But I think this is interesting info. I've found it suddenly for me.
  1.First World War. Olga serving as a sister of mercy. Mannerheim is a head of 12-Th Cavalry Division (Major General).
  May 18, 1915
On the May 18, Baron Mannerheim received the following telegram: "To the general of the suite Of His Majesty Baron Gustav Mannerheim. I want to see my Akhtyrtsev. I would be on May 18 at 16.00 by train. Olga". Honor guard, headed by Mannerheim stopped at the station Snyatin in anticipation of military hospital train № 164/14 with the Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna on board. They waited for few hours, but the train never came. It was decided to begin celebrations in one of the barns covered with banquet tables. Then suddenly woman came quickly in a nurse's dress just in the middle of celebrating in the barn and sat at a table next to Mannerheim. One of the officers recognized her and offered a chair. The Grand Duchess leaned to Gustav and said: "Baron, you know, I do not like ceremonies. Continue to dinner and do not forget to pour me some wine, I know that you are gallant man, not like an other our friends..... I beg pardon for being late - they do not miss my train because of fear of German air raids. I sat on the horse - you know me as a rider - and I'm here with my escort. Please order to invite to the table my guardians". Celebratory dinner continued and was very good. The first pair in the first polonaise dancing was Gustav and Olga. On The next day there was a big parade. Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna was one of those women who had never been forgotten. Gustav saved the picture which was donated to him by Olga with her memorial inscription: "... I am sending you a photo, made during the war , when we were met more times and when, as the beloved head of the 12-Th Cavalry Division, you were with us. This reminds me of the past ..." Olga.
  2.Also during the war
  Once the Grand Duchess was visiting her regiment and, while bypassing the trenches, she suddenly became under Austrian artillery fire. Sisters of mercy were not required to be so close to the places of battles, and the Grand Duchess for her showing bravery was awarded with the St. George medal(Do not confuse with Order). Man, who was awarded her was the Chief of the 12-Th Cavalry Division, Major General Baron Carl Gustaf Mannerheim (later Marshal and President of Finland). Grand Duchess felt that she had done nothing heroic, and immediately placed her medal in the pocket of her leather jacket. Only the entreaties of the officers of her regiment,  forced her to wore a medal on her chest.

[Eric_Lowe]

Olga was always no nonsense about things. Had she given a chance, could be a very loved Romanov.

[Nicola De Valeron]

Totally agree with you. I'm not an expert of her life, but I think she was very kind and helpful person.
Which doesn't combined with her aristocratic roots.

[Eric_Lowe]

Indeed. Had her brother been able to transform Russia to democracy, Olga and Ella would be able to reach out to the people. Minny and KK were also popular among the people and may do their bit. It was mostly Alicky & Rasputin that dragged the name through the mud.

[Belochka]

Indeed. Had her brother been able to transform Russia to democracy, Olga and Ella would be able to reach out to the people. Minny and KK were also popular among the people and may do their bit. It was mostly Alicky & Rasputin that dragged the name through the mud.

Actually you are wrong Eric.

The Duma and Petrograd society were responsible for dragging "the name through the mud".  

Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna knew that truth and said so, to her biographer Vorres.

Check your facts first and learn to set aside your inappropriate denigration of the former Russian Empress.

Margarita

[Eric_Lowe]

I did quite a lot of research in Russian history as well as in the archievs in Darmstadt, Windsor and Southhampton (Mountbattan Collection) so I do not need you to tell me to check the facts. It was no surprise that Alicky was unpopular, she was cold, shy and hated to meet people (Marie Feodorovna and Alexander III had reservations about her as Empress and did all they could to steer their son from her to the point that even Margaret of Prussia (Mossy) was prefered even though Marie had no great love for Prussians after the Danish-Prussian War over the two duchies). Olga understood that too and said her mother was made for the role of Empress, while her sister-in-law was quite different. After the birth of the heir, the family retreated from society and lived a make belief world (according to Nicholas II's cousin Marie of Romania's memoirs). Olga further said only her mother and Ella had the monarchy's best interest at heart and yet they could do nothing.

[Belochka]

...After the birth of the heir, the family retreated from society and lived a make belief world (according to Nicholas II's cousin Marie of Romania's memoirs). Olga further said only her mother and Ella had the monarchy's best interest at heart and yet they could do nothing.

Eric,

Pity you failed to quote Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna's statement accurately.  What she actually said was:

"My mother and Aunt Ella alone had Nicky's interests at heart ..."

This provides a very different message to the one you attempted to convey here.

Similarly, you should have been aware that she qualified her statement by saying that -

"neither my mother nor my aunt knew all the details as they were. They too based their judgments on rumors." [Ref: Vorres, p 138]

As far as the Dowager was concerned she had the fortunate position of raising healthy children who required minimal personal attention, unlike her daughter-in-law who personally took on the role of motherhood. Her responsibilities towards Alexei took precedence over organizing grand balls and entertaining persons who grew accustomed to such Court amusements during Alexander III's reign.

Furthermore, using Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna's words: "others began coming to Tsarskoe Selo to give uncalled-for advice , to utter violently worded warning, even to make scenes."  [Ref: Vorres, pp 138-139]