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.

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.

HIH Grand Duke George and HSH Princess Victoria Romanoff wed in Moscow Civil Ceremony.

At 2:00pm in Moscow, HIH Grand Duke George Mikhailovich and HSH Princess Victoria Romanoff were civilly married at the Khamovniki Town Hall in Moscow.

The Grand Duke is the only child of Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna of Russia and Prince Franz Wilhelm of Prussia. The princess is the only child of Ambassador Roberto Bettarini and his wife, the former Carla Virginia Cacciatore. Ambassador and Mrs. Bettarini attended the Civil Ceremony after meeting their children in advance before the religious wedding in St. Petersburg at St. Isaac’s Cathedral on Friday October 1st.

The dress worn by the new Princess Romanoff was created by Italian designer Chiara Boni in an ice-blue color, with Russian gold thread embroidery inspired by the traditional folkloric designs of Khokhloma. Pale blue is also the color of the Russian Imperial Order of Saint Andrew the First Called, the highest dynastic order of the House of Romanoff. The light blue ribbon of the Order served as an inspiration for the color of the dress for the civil marriage.

Grand Duke George and Princess Victoria will leave the capital shortly to celebrate their religious marriage in St. Petersburg next Friday, 1 October.

Photographs and full coverage by David Niviere available on Histoire Royales

Reader Mail: A Letter from France

Here at the Russian Legitimist we have received numerous letters over the past few weeks relating to the upcoming wedding of Grand Duke George, as well as the recent religious ceremony of Rostislav Romanoff in Paris.

Herewith, a note from a reader:

Detail from Insta @Axenoff via thedailymail.co.uk

Dear Sirs,

Thank you for your news about the wedding of young Mr. Romanoff in Paris.

Relatives say that it was a pale imitation of the Romanoff weddings of the past in Paris, when our Russians lined the streets. We all understood that these were private events, and those who participated knew that there was no dynastic significance to these weddings.

I was surprised to see the gold-embroidered napkins and to read the diadem would be sold for charity afterwards. Пошлость!**

I wish these young people well. They would be wise to stop calling themselves “Imperial” as they will lose any sympathy they might have had.

We all know the last true members of the imperial house will be in St Petersburg next week.

Sincerely,

V. N. S., [France]

** This almost untranslatable Russian word is generally translated as “vulgarity” but it implies more than that; it implies a reach for elegance which has failed badly due to a lack of taste.

Detail from Insta @Axenoff via thedailymail.co.uk

Vanitatis Interview with fiancée of Grand Duke George!

Victoria Romanovna Bettarini, Image courtesy Russian Imperial Chancellery.

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.

St. Isaac’s Cathedral, St. Petersburg

"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.

Imperial Wedding Event and Dress Information Revealed!

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.

Torzhok-style embroidery. (Image Wiki)

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

Designer Marwan of Gattinolli Couture

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.

Designer Reem Acra (image wiki)

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.

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

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

Prince and Princess Rostislav Romanovsky Married in Religious Ceremony in Paris

It was confirmed this evening via social media that Rostislav Romanov, Prince Romanovsky, and his wife, the former Foteini Georganta were married in a religious wedding ceremony at the Russian Cathedral of Alexander Nevsky on the rue Daru in Paris.

The wedding was a private family affair with fewer than 100 relatives and close friends.

The couple had a son, Rostislav-George in 2013, and were civilly wed in Great Britain in 2019. An article from Eurohistory tells the full story HERE.

Best wishes to the happy couple and their son from The Russian Legitimist!

A New Article on the 1938 Declaration is posted in FAQ section!

The last page of the 1938 Declaration, with Romanov signatures.

A new article on the Dynasty’s 1938 Declaration has been added to our FAQ section.

Last week, a social media site described Andrew Romanoff (born in 1923) as Head of the Russian Imperial House and also referred to his half-sister Olga Romanoff (born in 1950) and his cousin Rostislav Romanoff (born in 1985) as members of the Imperial House.

These three individuals do indeed descend in the direct male line from members of the Imperial House, but they are not themselves members of the imperial dynasty.

Perhaps the simplest way to explain why this is so is to cite the declaration issued in 1938 with the permission of Grand Duke Vladimir, who had just succeeded as Head of the Imperial House.  It was signed by the five dynasts who came directly after Grand Duke Vladimir in the line of succession:  Grand Duke Boris (first in the line of succession after Grand Duke Vladimir), Grand Duke Andrew (second in line), Grand Duke Dmitri Pavlovich (third in line, representing the Pavlovich branch), Prince of the Imperial Blood Vsevelod Ioannovich (fourth in line, representing the Konstantinovich branch), and Prince of the Imperial Blood Gavriel Constantinovich (fifth in line, also of the Konstantinovich).

The 1938 declaration had two purposes. 

The first purpose was to announce to the world that, following the death of Grand Duke Kirill, his only son Grand Duke Vladimir had succeeded as Head of the Imperial House.

The second purpose was to clarify tactfully to the world that the many morganatic children born in the 20th century to various Grand Dukes and Princes of the Imperial Blood were not members of the Imperial House and were not in the line of succession.  How did the declaration accomplish this?  It did so by listing in their order of succession all the living males who were members of the Imperial House.  By omitting from this list the name of every single morganatic male child, the declaration made its point clearly

This article is available to read HERE.