Saint Petersburg

Members of Royal and Noble Houses begin to arrive in St. Petersburg.

The Rotunda of the legendary Astoria Hotel in St. Petersburg, where the many Royal guests are staying.

The Rotunda of the legendary Astoria Hotel in St. Petersburg, where the many Royal guests are staying.

Royal historian Marlene Koenig noted early this morning that the wedding of HIH the Grand Duke George Mikhailovich of Russia and Victoria Romanovna Bettarini appears to be the largest gathering of foreign royalty in Russia since before the First World War.

Koenig notes that HIH the Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna of Russia arrived in St Petersburg with her half sister Helène Bagration de Kirby, Countess Dvinskaya with a large group of Spanish guests.

Koenig also noted that although not yet officially confirmed, the Kings of Bulgaria and Egypt had already arrived in Russia, and members of the French, Italian, Greek, Yugoslav, Georgian, and Albanian royal houses were also in Russia, together with members of the princely house of Liechtenstein, 

Further guests will be arriving in the next 24 hours before the wedding in St. Isaac’s cathedral. It is rumored that while more than 300 international guests are arriving, more than 1500 people will be attending the service.

For Marlene Koenig’s original article, click HERE

The Bride and Groom head to St Petersburg for October I Wedding

After celebrating their civil wedding in Moscow on the 24th, Grand Duke George, Victoria Romanovna, and members of their family headed to Russia’s “second capital” St. Petersburg.

The couple heads to St Petersburg. Photo detail from Instagram.

The couple heads to St Petersburg. Photo detail from Instagram.

In St. Petersburg, the couple will meet the groom’s mother, HIH the Grand Duchess Maria of Russia, his father, HRH Prince Franz-Wilhelm of Prussia, other members of their extended families, and the wedding guests, who will be arriving in St Petersburg this week in advance of the wedding festivities, which are scheduled to begin Thursday, September 30.