Today is the feast of St. Peter and St. Paul — it is the feast day of the Petropavlovsky Cathedral, and also the feast of the City of St. Petersburg. Today is also the one-year anniversary of the acceptance of Orthodoxy by the fiancee of Grand Duke George, Miss Victoria Romanovna Bettarini. The date has been the subject of a number of posts and articles. A nice one from the Russian paper “Dobrie Liudi” may be found here.
Grand Duke George Mikhailovich Interview: "I was raised to serve my country,"
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
Grand Duke George Mikhailovich Participates in Moscow Paschal Services
On the Feast of the Resurrection of Christ in 2021, Grand Duke George Mikhailovich and his fiancée Victoria Romanovna prayed during the all-night Easter service in the Church of the Presentation near the Saltykov Bridge. Victoria Romanovna's father, His Excellency Ambassador R. Bettarini, was also present for the services, which were followed by the Easter feast at home.
Paschal Greetings from the Head of the Russian Imperial House
CHRIST IS RISEN!
The Head of the Russian Imperial House, H.I.H. The Grand Duchess Maria of Russia, her son and heir, H.I.H. The Grand Duke George of Russia, joined by his fiancée, Miss Victoria Romanovna Bettarini, extend their greetings to all their countrymen on the Bright Feast of the Resurrection of Christ, and thank all those who have sent Paschal greetings to them.
Their Imperial Highnesses wish good health, the joy of Pascha, prosperity, and God’s help to all their countrymen and to all the friends of Russia around the world.
INDEED HE IS RISEN!
In Memoriam: Grand Duke Wladimir Kirillovich
An extraordinary and rare document printed after the death of Grand Duke Wladimir has been, with the permission of its author, made available on the website of the “Queen of All” Skete.
We urge all those interested to take the time to read this exceptional memorial assembled by Peter Koltypin, Commander of the Russian Imperial Union-Order from 1972-1994.
To read the piece, click here
Grand Duke George and Miss Bettarini Wedding Location Revealed in Bunte!
German Journalist Sandra Heumann interviewed the couple about their upcoming wedding for “Bunte” in Germany.
Russian Legitimist is pleased to offer a translation of the article.
REBECCA BETTARINI & GRAND DUKE GEORGE ROMANOV
We will soon exchange rings and crowns.
If Russia were still a Tsarist empire, he would be the heir to the throne: Grand Duke George Romanov, 40, son of the Head of the Imperial House Grand Duchess Maria, 67, and the German Hohenzollern Prince Franz Wilhelm Prince of Prussia, 77. BUNTE spoke with his fiancée, the Italian Rebecca Bettarinl, 38, about the Royal Wedding 202l! The newlyweds have known each other through mutual friends since they were 16. "As adults, we met again at a reception in Brussels" at the Embassy. It didn't fly immediately, but the nobleman brought the smart lobbyist into his team for the Russian Imperial Foundation, which she now runs. "My parents knew and liked him, but they learned about our relationship from the press."
Eight years later, the first step of their relationship was the big step: "George asked me at the airport if I wanted to be his wife, because that's where all our adventures together have begun." Now the adventure is their marriage. The wedding ceremony on October 1st is historically significant: "It is the first Romanov marriage in Russia since the revolution in 1917." George's cousin George Friedrich Prince of Prussia, 44, is also invited.
The ceremony will take place in St. Petersburg's Saint Isaac’s Cathedral. There, rings (by Fabergé) and crowns held by the groomsmen are exchanged according to Russian Orthdox ritual.
Two are better than one!
Sandra Heumann (full copyright to the author and Bunte Magazine)
Moscow "Tatler" covers the birthday of Grand Duke George Mikhailovich
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.
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.
NEW! Point de Vue follows Fiancée of Grand Duke George to Chaumet to Select Nuptial Tiara.
French society magazine Point de Vue was able to follow Victoria Romanovna Bettarini as she made a visit to the legendary jeweler Chaumet to select the tiara that she will wear for the first time at her wedding to the Grand Duke George on 1st October in St. Petersburg. Russian Legitimist is happy to provide an English translation of the article by Jérôme Carron.
POINT DE VUE
REBECCA VICTORIA ROMANOVNA BETTARINI
The Tiara of the Bride-to-Be
THE FIANCÉE OF GRAND DUKE GEORGE OF RUSSIA GOES TO CHOOSE THE MAIN ACCESSORY SHE WILL WEAR ON HER WEDDING DAY OCTOBER 1ST IN ST. PETERSBURG. A PIECE CREATED BY THE HOUSE OF CHAUMET WITH WHICH SHE FELL IN LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT.
THE STORY OF A SPECIAL DAY.
BY JÉRÔME CARRON, PHOTOS DAVID NIVIÈRE
On a low table in the “Salon Malmaison” of the main floor of Chaumet’s Hôtel particulier on the Place Vendôme in Paris, eleven tiaras were set before the fascinated gaze of Rebecca Victoria Romanovna Bettarini. Seated next to Jean-Marc Mansvelt, the Director General and CEO of the celebrated jeweler, the future wife of the heir of the Imperial House of Russia found a selection of heritage as well as more contemporary pieces. The bride-to-be took her time to admire these unique treasures. She tried on three or four before settling on a creation by the workmaster Benoit Verhulle, the thirteenth to hold the position since the birth of the House 240 years ago. “I wanted a tiara that had never been worn. This one is perfectly balanced, sumptuous yet simple. Its shape is an homage to the kokoshnik, the traditional Russian wedding tiara, and its ships’ sail-like shape reminds me of St. Petersburg where we will be married, as well as George’s great-grandfather, the Grand Duke Kyrill, who was a Commandant of the Imperial Navy” explains Rebecca Victoria Romanovna Bettarini. The tiara is of white gold starred with more than 438 diamonds and centering an oval-cut stone of five carats and a pear-shaped diamond of two. They are connected by the “knife-edge” technique, a specialty of the firm. “The technique has been used since Grand Duke George’s great-great-grandmother, the Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna, was a client of Chaumet in 1899. The ‘Waterfall’ tiara created for her remains a legendary and extraordinary work, sadly lost during the revolution,” explains the future bride before returning to her choice. “It feels like my personality and will go perfectly with my wedding gown.” Indeed, the preparations for the marriage are already well under way: “Selecting my dress was not as easy as I imagined. But after a long search, I finally found one I liked. It’s impressive but simple, with a contemporary fabric but in a classic style. As for everything else, there are still a lot of decisions to be made. We hope to be able to open many of the most beautiful palaces of Peter the Great’s city. Happily, we can count on the help of the Chancellery and those of the authorities to celebrate an Orthodox marriage in the most beautiful traditions of both Russia and the Imperial family.” See you there!