Maria Alexandrovna: an exquisite Imperial Cipher

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European royal families, Grand Duchess of Edinburgh, Grand Duchess of Russia, Imperial Russia, Maria Alexandrovna, Romanoff, Romanov, Royal ciphers, Royalty, Russia, Victorian era

Maria Alexandrovna, daughter of Tsar Alexander II married Alfred Duke of Edinburgh in 1874. Her title was that of Duchess of Edinburgh and Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, styled also as Her Imperial Highness (Russian). She used  for correspondence at the end of 19th century a very interesting and beautiful Imperial Russian Cipher (the monogram MA and the Imperial Russian Crown). The design is typical of the Victorian era with both English and Russian influences. The quality of the paper and the vivid colours used for this Imperial cipher are remarkable. It is embossed and the painting is obviously hand made. This particular example from one of Maria Alexandrovna’s letters survived in perfect condition at the Romanian National Archives. ©Diana Mandache

©Diana Mandache http://royalromania.wordpress.com 2009

The Romanovs, 1909: A letter of Maria Alexandrovna to Marie, her daugher

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Eastern Europe, Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, European royal families, Grand Duchess, Herzogin, History, Imperial Russia, Maria Alexandrovna, Romanoff, Romanov, Royalty, Saxe-Coburg, Tsar Nicholas II

The Royal Ciphre of Maria Alexandrovna

 

On 17 March 1909 Maria Alexandrovna went to Tsarskoe Selo and lunched with the Imperial family. She wrote the first impressions in a letter to her daugher Marie of Romania: 

 Alix looks blooming and was amiable, we talked a great deal about Ella, as she does not approve of all her exaggerated charitable doings. At luncheon a free conversation is impossible, as those big girls are all ears. As they never see any lady, ces Demoiselles are much interested at every newcomer and examined me from head to foot. I thought they were laughing at me, but they whispered to their father, that I was “a very amusing Aunt!” Fancy what dull members of the family they must see, to find me so entertaining and in that smiles too, where one feels so jênée and has to carry on the conversation. [Extract from RNA holdings]

©Diana Mandache and http://royalromania.wordpress.com 2009.

Moscow Coronation Ceremony, 26 May 1896

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Balkans, Casa Regala, Eastern Europe, European royal families, Familia regala, History, Imperial Russia, King Ferdinand, Queen Marie of Romania, Regina Maria, Romania, Romanian Royal Family, Romanoff, Romanov, Royalty, Russia, Tsar Nicholas II

Domine Salvum Fac Imperatorem – Domine Salvum Fac Imperatricem

 

I synthesise here from the newspapers of the time (New York Times, Illustrated London News):  The Emperor Nicholas II wore the dark-green and gold uniform of a General of the Guards, with high boots. The Empress Alexandra was dressed in a silver robe, with a long train, borne by four pages. After donning the mantle the Emperor assumed the diamond collar of St Andrew.

 

Nicholas II received the imperial crown from the Metropolitan of St Petersburg and placed it upon his head, then took his sceptre, on top of which the famous Orloff diamond blazed. The orb of the empire was placed in his right hand and the emperor then ascended the Dias, taking his seat upon the throne with the Empress still standing next to him.

 This was the supreme moment of all, and when gazing around the church, and seeing representatives from nearly every district of this mighty empire beholding the Tsar sitting on his throne of state, with the symbols of power given to him by the highest religious authority in the land, one had a realizing sense of the great power wielded by the man who was now Russia’s sovereign, for whom the grandiose coronation function was held. The Empress knelt before him on a crimson velvet cushion and the Emperor placed upon her head her own crown, distinctively surmounted by a large sapphire. The Empress’s Ladies of Honour fixed the crown on her head with a gold comb, and then robed her in her mantle of cloth of gold, ermine lined, similar with the Emperor’s. The coronation next procedeed with a grand fete and reception in the Granite Palace in the Kremlin. Among many royal guests were also present the  crown prince and princess of Romania.

 

The image bellow shows the beautiful gown worn with that occasion by Marie of Romania, a first cousin of Tsar Nicholas II.

 

 ©Diana Mandache and  http://royalromania.wordpress.com 2009. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author is strictly prohibited.