A charming piece ran in Spanish society magazine “Vanitatis” containing an interview with Victoria Romanovna Bettarini, who, after her marriage to Grand Duke George of Russia will be known as HSH Princess Victoria Romanoff.

"The wedding is on October 1 in St. Isaac's Cathedral, which is very large and in which weddings have not been held for more than 100 years, because now, in addition [to being a church], it is a museum. In fact, there have been very few, the most relevant, that of Emperor Peter the Great." said Miss Bettarini in a telephone meeting.

Bettarini noted that all Covid-19 protocols will be followed to the utmost extent during the wedding and its ancillary events, and that all events have been carefully planned so that all participants, the guests and the events team, will be safe.

"There will be many people in the cathedral (1), but for the gala dinner the capacity will be more limited as a consequence of the current coronavirus prevention protocols. This dinner will be attended by about 400 people… The places are very large, but that does not mean that you do not have to ensure the safety of everyone. In fact, all guests, even if they are vaccinated, will have to have PCR tests. We are careful to apply all relevant restrictions so that everything goes well and there are no surprises,” Bettarini notes.

Regarding the Orthodox ceremony (which, it is rumored, will be performed by the Metropolitan of St. Petersburg himself), Miss Bettarini looks forward to the moment of the greatest symbolism:: "There is a crucial moment in the ceremony, in which there are people selected to hold the crowns over the heads of the bride and groom. There are several people to do it; they must be unmarried Orthodox men, and cannot be women. We are seeing which of our friends meet those characteristics and can fulfill that function."

For the original article in Spanish, click HERE

(1) The Cathedral of Saint Isaac’s has a capacity of 12,000. It has been published that the wedding guests at the ceremony may number as many as 2,500 keeping the event safe.

September 13, 2021

The Russian Legitimist

Imperial Wedding Event and Dress Information Revealed!

September 13, 2021

The Russian Legitimist

French website “Histoires Royales” has revealed new information concerning the various events that will be taking place in Saint Petersburg on September and October, as well as what the bride will be wearing. Though fashion is most certainly not a “Legitimist” occupation, we were interested to see the many choices which were made which incorporate heraldic tradition, or were inspired by Romanoff house customs, and so we present here, some of the information which Histories Royales has made available to the public. The original article by Nicolas Fontaine is available HERE.

”The first wedding of a Grand Duke of Russia to be held in Russia after the Revolution required three important dresses, and Victoria Romanovna Bettarini wanted to make sure that each of them paid homage to Russian traditions as well to Italian fashion. An international collaboration was therefore initiated, in order to create unique looks for each event.

The dress for the civil ceremony embroided with Khokhloma designs.

The civil wedding is scheduled to take place a few days before the Religious ceremony. The dress for the Civil Ceremony was made by the designer Chiara Boni in an ice-blue silk, embroidered with gold thread Torzhok-style embroidery inspired by the traditional folkloric designs of Khokhloma. The blue is a reference to the ribbon of the Russian Imperial Order of St. Andrew the First-Called, the premier order of Imperial Russia, founded by Peter the Great in 1698.

The Russian Imperial Order of St Andrew the First-Called. (Image Sotheby’s)

The “Welcome Cocktail” evening dress

The first event of the wedding weekend is a cocktail party to welcome all the guests from around the world to St. Petersburg. For this first event, the bride chose a black velvet and tulle gown with golden appliqué and embroidery by the house of Gattinolli by Marwan.

The dress is black and gold, the house colours of the Romanoff dynasty, and combines a velvet bustier with a diaphanous tulle skirt.

The Wedding Dress: Reem Acra; Elina Samarina for Sergio Marcone Moscow and Torzhok Embroideries.

For the religious ceremony at Saint Isaac’s Cathedral, the bride chose a design from the internationally renowned designer Reem Acra whose creations are a favorite red carpet selection by Hollywood stars. The dress has impeccable lines. "Reem Acra has exquisite taste and her creations are structured as if they were architecture," notes the bride. "I had only two requirements: a very refined and modern dress, made of Italian Mikado silk. A creation that recalls the classic Italian wedding dresses of the 60s. To create lightness and volume in a skirt made with such a rigid and heavy material as Mikado, it requires an expert touch, and Mrs. Acra was the right person “.

The wedding dress is sober, refined, and elegant. It has long sleeves, a crew neckline and a six metre-long train with a paneled cape created by Elina Samarina and decorated with traditional Torzhok-style embroidery.

“For me it was important that a cultural exchange took place in the field of fashion. This is why together with the talented designer Elina Samarina, founder of the Sergio Marcone brand in Moscow, we decided to create something special in order to showcase the best of Russian artistry. Elina is very good at reinterpreting Russian styles and for this reason she immediately showed me examples of Russian embroidery. In fact, there is a very long tradition and a variety of embroidery in Russia, still made by hand today, with patterns and designs that vary from region to region. They are small masterpieces! I asked Elina to think of a symbol that best represents modern Russia but also its extraordinary past and culture. Something that could serve as a bridge between past and present, a symbol in which all Russians can relate. Elina came up with this idea: to embroider a coat of arms with a double-headed eagle that symbolizes the glorious history of Russia; both modern Russia and the ancient Romanoff family. The embroidery to be done in traditional Torzhok style." The coat of arms was hand embroidered into the tulle veil, which took five weeks of intense work.

“Although it was very difficult to work on this wedding dress during the pandemic, I am extremely pleased with the results. I wanted this dress to be simple but full of symbolism. A tribute to Russian cultural tradition, the Romanov family, and Italian fashion. The idea of having two companies involved in the process on two different continents, certainly created some logistical problems, but everyone worked with enthusiasm and professionalism to create this dress as I imagined it.”

Bridesmaids' dresses: Danilov Monastery

The bridesmaids' dresses were handmade in Moscow by the nuns of the Danilov Monastery. Since 1983 it has been the seat of the Russian Orthodox Church and the official residence of the Patriarch of Moscow and all the Russias. The bridesmaids' dresses were made in traditional Russian style, in yellow velvet to compliment the interiors of St. Isaac's Cathedral. The bridesmaids are Beatrice and Veronica Scheda, daughters of the bride's cousin, Giulia Cacciatore. The girls will also wear the traditional “kokoshnik” style headdresses made in Russia.

The gala dinner dress: Reem Acra and Elina Samarina for Sergio Marcone Moscow and Torzhok embroideries.

The bride chose a hand-embroidered gown made of tulle, the fabric “dreams are made of” also by designer Reem Acra. The dress features yards of tulle, with delicate pearling, appliqué, and embroidery.

Elina Samarina added a Russian touch by creating a white cape made of silk Mikado, inspired by traditional designs with puffed sleeves.

According to fashion designer Elina Samarina “the Romanoffs have always fascinated and inspired people's imaginations through their unique interpretation of Russian traditions in fashion. They were ambassadors of Russian culture, opulence, and traditions abroad, this is why for such a special occasion we wanted to revive Russian unique manufacturing traditions and promote them abroad. It is a privilege for me to have been able to work on this extraordinary project. It doesn't often happen to have clients asking me to do historical research on Russian fashion. As a Russian, I am very happy that the bride decided to pay an homage to the traditions of our country "

Again, original article by Nicolas Fontaine is available HERE.

September 13, 2021

The Russian Legitimist

Russian Nobility Assembly Condemns Usurpation of "Imperial Highness" by Rostislav Romanov

September 13, 2021

The Russian Legitimist

In response to a Tweet from Rostislav Romanov, in which he used the style “Imperial Highness” in contravention to the Fundamental Laws of the Russian Empire and the Russian Family Association’s own rules, the Russian Nobility Assembly (RNA) in Moscow issued a public statement clarifying the misuse of the title and Rostislav Romanov’s status as a Romanov descendant but not a Romanov dynast. It was initially assumed by many, including The Russian Legitimist, that the use of the title was merely a mistake; and not wishing to cast a pall over his upcoming religious wedding, we chose not to publish the RNA’s statement.

Last evening, however, via social media, it was confirmed that the groom issued the invitation to his religious ceremony as “Son Altesse Impériale le Prince Rostislav Rostislavovich Romanov”. This usurpation was clearly an act of the young American Romanov’s own volition, and so we are now publishing the letter from the Moscow-based Russian Nobility Assembly so that there will be no confusion among those who follow the news and activities of the Russian Imperial House today.

The Russian Nobility Assembly is an association of more than 12,000 members in Russia, with several branches abroad, and includes descendants of noble families of the Russian Empire. The Assembly of the Nobility was abolished in Russia after the 1917 Revolution but was re-established in 1990 and has enjoyed since then a close relationship with the Imperial House of Russia, acknowledging first HIH Grand Duke Wladimir Kirillovich, and currently, his daughter HIH Grand Duchess Maria Wladimirovna as heads of the Imperial House.

There is no legal basis or historical precedent that would justify Rostislav Rostislavovich’s adoption of the style of Imperial Highness. The Russian Fundamental Laws are clear on the distribution of titles and styles within the Imperial House. These Laws make it clear that Rostislav Rostislavovich is neither a member of the Imperial House nor is he entitled to this title and style. It is well known that, from the time of Emperor Alexander III, there were two categories of dynasts in the Imperial House: Grand Dukes and Grand Duchesses of Russia, who had the right to be called Your Imperial Highness, and Princes and Princesses of the Imperial Blood (Princes and Princesses of Russia), who had the right to be called Your Highness. The bridegroom's grandfather, His Highness Prince of the Imperial Blood Rostislav Alexandrovich, who was fully a member of the Imperial House, would never have dared to call himself Imperial Highness. It is inexplicable that his grandson, who is not a member of the Imperial House, would do so.

Rostislav Rostislavovich’s own father, the American-born Rostislav Rostislavovich Romanov, Jr., never used any title, let alone a style to which his own father had no right. HH Prince Rostislav Alexandrovich of Russia was a male-line great-grandson of Emperor Nicholas I, and entitled to the style of His Highness and title of Prince of the Bood Imperial. This usurpation goes against the Romanov Family Association’s bylaws that any claims of a dynastic character are to be avoided. To use an imperial style is to stake a dynastic claim.

The letter reads as follows with minor edits for clarity:

Moscow, 6th September 2021

The Russian Nobility Assembly is an Association that has gathered in Russia over 12,000 members and has several delegations abroad, whose members are descendants of Old Noble Families of the Russian Empire,which was restored in 1990 in close cooperation with the Imperial House of Russia, whose Head at the time was His Imperial Highness Grand Duke Vladimir Kyrillovich. and after 1992, his daughter and successor Her Imperial Highness Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna, as the only legitimate Heir of the Russian Imperial House.

There are many descendants of the Romanov Family who are not members of the historical Dynasty by the laws that were in force at the time of the Russian Empire.

Some of these persons have thus created the Romanov Family Association, which is a private association of members of the Romanov Family.

The Association was intended as a private association in which the Head of the Association is elected through a vote carried out by the members of the Association itself. This is why the Russian Nobility Assembly states that these members are not in any sort of way linked to the historical dynastic institution of the Russian Imperial House.

The Russian Imperial House is an institution that is officially recognised by the Patriarchate of Moscow and all Russia, as well as by the institutions of the Russian Federation, by foreign authorities, as well as by other reigning and non-reigning royal families across the world. The Russian Imperial House is also the Fons Honorum for our Association.

The Members of the Russian Nobility Association extend their warmest congratulations on the occasion of the upcoming wedding of Rostislav Romanov but must emphasise that although Rostislav Romanov is a true descendant of the Romanov Family, his marriage is a private event which does not bear any social or dynastic importance. We wish the newlyweds and their 8 year-old son "Многая лета [Many years]!"

Marshall of the Russian Nobility,

Marshall of the Moscow Nobility,

O.V. Shcherbachev

September 5, 2021

The Russian Legitimist

TASS Press service announces marriage of Grand Duke George Mikhailovich and Rebecca Bettarini at St. Isaac’s Cathedral.

September 5, 2021

The Russian Legitimist

The Russian National Press service has reported that George Mikhailovich Romanov and Rebecca Bettarini’s wedding location has been confirmed and scheduled for October 1 at St. Isaac's Cathedral in St. Petersburg.

“This was announced to TASS on Thursday by the press secretary of the state museum-monument "St. Isaac's Cathedral" Igor Staheev. “The wedding of a Spanish citizen, Georgy Mikhailovich Romanov, and an Italian citizen, Rebecca Bettarini, is scheduled for October 1," the agency's interlocutor said.

According to the Chancellery of the Russian Imperial House, Georgy Romanov is a citizen of the Russian Federation.

Georgy Mikhailovich Romanov is the son and heir of the head of the Russian Imperial House, Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna - the only child from the marriage of Vladimir Kirillovich Romanov, the head of the Russian Imperial House in exile (the son of the Russian Grand Duke Kirill Vladimirovich, who declared himself emperor in exile in 1924) and Princess Leonida Georgievna Bagration-Mukhranskaya. The question of the legality of her use of the title of Grand Duchess is a subject of dispute with other descendants of the Romanovs (an association of members of the Romanov family) belonging to the Nikolaevich branch, which traces its history from the grandson of Nicholas I, Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolaevich the Younger.

On July 12, 2020, Rebecca Bettarini converted to Orthodoxy in the Peter and Paul Cathedral of St. Petersburg with the assumption of the name Victoria Romanovna. The wedding of Grand Duke George Mikhailovich and Bettarini "will be the first full-fledged, open, socially significant and decorated in full accordance with modern state laws of the Russian Federation and, at the same time, with the current norms of historical Russian dynastic law, the marriage of a member of the Russian Imperial House on the territory of Russia after the 1917 revolution," Alexander Zakatov, director of the Chancellery of the Russian Imperial House, candidate of Historical Sciences, told TASS.

According to him, after the revolution of 1917, "during the beginning of the troubles and the Civil War, marriages several junior members of the Russian Imperial House took place on Russian territory." In April 1917, Prince of the blood imperial Gavriil Konstantinovich was married to his first wife, in June 1918, Prince of the blood imperial Andrei Alexandrovich entered into his first marriage. "However, since the members of the Romanov dynasty were then discriminated against, were separated from one another, and were unable to contact the Head of the Russian Imperial House, the abdicated Emperor Nicholas II, who was in prison, these weddings were held in a purely private manner, and were not taken in accordance with dynastic law, did not receive any public notice," Zakatov noted.

The building of St. Isaac's Cathedral was built by the architect Auguste Montferrand and opened in 1858, it is included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List. The cathedral became a museum in 1928, since 1990 Orthodox services have been resumed in it.”

TASS neglected to note that this will be the first wedding of any Romanov at St. Isaac’s since Emperor Peter the Great married Catherine (Marfa) Skavronskaya at the first St Isaac’s in 1707.

Source: TASS. https://tass.ru/obschestvo/12287797

May 4, 2021

The Russian Legitimist

Grand Duke George Mikhailovich Interview: "I was raised to serve my country,"

May 4, 2021

The Russian Legitimist

Screen Shot 2021-05-03 at 6.25.43 PM.png

A fascinating and informative interview was recently published in an international magazine out of Hungary known as “Gentleman’s Review.” The Grand Duke answered a number of important questions about his life, his history, his new life in Russia, and his upcoming marriage. One of the early questions is regarding his status not as a Prince of Prussia (his father’s family) but as a Grand Duke of Russia, and heir to the Headship of the House of Romanov:

“I am glad that you ask this question because there is a lot of incorrect and misleading information online about this subject, and you give me the opportunity to clarify. I am first of all Grand Duke of Russia and my surname in my official documents is Romanov in virtue of the fact that before the marriage of my parents a dynastic agreement was drawn up, according to which my father converted to Orthodoxy, received the title and name of Grand Duke Mikhail Pavlovich of Russia, and pledged to raise his children in the Orthodox faith and in the consciousness of belonging to the Russian Imperial House. The title of Prince of Prussia is also among my historical titles, but only after the Russian ones. It should be remembered that all the emperors of Russia, starting with Peter III, who reigned in 1761-1762, are Romanovs through the female line, and in the male line they belong to the Holstein-Gottorp line of the House of Oldenburg. But all of them were Romanovs. This is a common practice of all dynasties that allow inheritance through the female line. It’s the same principle that makes Prince Charles of Wales be a member of the Windsor dynasty and that prevailing upon the name of his father, Prince Philip, God rests his soul.”

For a link to the original article (in English) CLICK HERE.

For a link to an article about the Grand Duke’s special status on Russian Legitimist, CLICK HERE

March 17, 2021

The Russian Legitimist

Moscow "Tatler" covers the birthday of Grand Duke George Mikhailovich

March 17, 2021

The Russian Legitimist

This article appeared in Moscow’s Tatler magazine. Russian Legitimist is pleased to post an English translation to this article. A link to the original Russian piece is here.

Screen Shot 2021-03-17 at 11.27.44 AM.png

Descendant of the Romanov family, Grand Duke George Mikhailovich celebrates his 40th birthday

In accordance with all traditions.

15 MARCH 2021

TATLER

On March 13, a milestone was celebrated by the heir of the Romanov family, Grand Duke George Mikhailovich, whose ascent in Moscow society began in April 2019 with the Tatler Easter tea. His Imperial Highness celebrated his 40th birthday as a groom - his wedding with his longtime girlfriend, Rebecca Virginia Bettarini, who, after the adoption of Orthodoxy, was named Victoria Romanovna, is planned for the fall.

The Grand Duke at the Novospassky Monastery.

The celebration took place in accordance with all traditions - before the main celebrations, a prayer service was held in the Novospassky monastery, and onlyafterwards did George Mikhailovich begin to accept congratulations at the Smirnov House on Tverskoy Boulevard, dance to the performance of a gypsy choir, and solemnly cut the birthday honey cake with berries. Gifts were also very traditional - sabers, knives, books, and icons. The future wife of the prince was there of course - she recieved the guests in a black velvet dress.

George Mikhailovich was born in Madrid into the family of Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna and Grand Duke Mikhail Pavlovich (Prince Franz Wilhelm of Prussia). The prince spent his early childhood in the Breton village of Saint-Briac, and then moved to Paris. After, he lived in Madrid, where he graduated from college.

George Mikhailovich visited his historical homeland for the first time in 1992. For three years now, the Grand Duke has been living in Russia and is actively involved in charitable initiatives.