The Imperial Couple
Tsar Nicholas II and his wife, Tsarina Alexandra Feodorovna, were the last ruling imperial couple of Russia. Their marriage was based on love, which was rare for their time and station, making them a bit of a novelty. Nicholas was a devoted husband, and Alexandra a loving wife. At the time of their marriage, the public was ecstatic, but later on, public opinion turned away from them as their decisions became more and more controversial. Eventually, Nicholas was forced to abdicate and the entire family was placed under house arrest as political tensions rose. But until that time, the parents did their best to run the country and keep track of their five children.
Although not uncommon at the time, Alexandra and Nicholas were related in at least two ways due to European royalty's habit of marrying other European royalty. They were second cousins by one line and third cousins once removed by another. Both families opposed the marriage, but the two were in love and eventually got their wish.
Although not uncommon at the time, Alexandra and Nicholas were related in at least two ways due to European royalty's habit of marrying other European royalty. They were second cousins by one line and third cousins once removed by another. Both families opposed the marriage, but the two were in love and eventually got their wish.
Tsarina Alexandra Feodorovna
Originally named Princess Alix of Hesse, the future Tsarina was born in Germany, the granddaughter of Queen Victoria of England. Alexandra and Nicholas fell in love years before they were married, mainly because of how much both families opposed the marriage. Queen Victoria, who was very close to her granddaughter, was worried that Alix wouldn't be safe in Russia because of the political turmoil. She believed that Alix's sister was encouraging her to do something she didn't really want to do. However, Alix was quite set on Nicholas, and converted from her Lutheran roots to the Russian Orthodox Church, where she got her new name: Alexandra Feodorovna.
Unfortunately for Alexandra, her shyness and nerves were interpreted by the Russian people as haughtiness. She was said to be cold and distant to her subjects and apparently expressed disdain for Russian customs like food and dancing styles. Of course, she didn't mean to be cold, but her reserve was taken as aloofness anyway. The people were prepared to dislike her immediately, if only because she was German. As if that wasn't enough, they were incredibly disgusted by her inability to produce a son. Although now we know that the father's genetics actually determine the gender of the child, the Russian people at that time would probably have continued to blame the Empress. Despite the rocky reception of their marriage, the couple remained very in love for the entirety of their lives together, which were cut tragically short. |