News and Announcements from the Imperial House.
Easter vigil before the Cathedral of St. Isaac in Saint Petersburg, ca. 1890
The editors of the Russian Legitimist send our warmest greetings to those around the world who celebrate Orthodox Easter today.
We wish you all the joy and happiness of the season associated with the Bright Resurrection of Our Lord.
April 21, 2022 marks an important anniversary: that of the death of HIH Grand Duke Wladimir Kirillovich, and the accession of his daughter, HIH Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna to the headship of the Russian Imperial House.
A new piece has been written on the subject which may be read HERE.
The Imperial Chancellery released an update on the health of Grand Duke George Mikhailovich which stated that the Grand Duke’s health was much improved and that he had been sent home to rest
Today, the Grand Duke and his wife, Princess Romanoff released statements on Social Media attesting to the fact that George Mikhailovich was feeling well, and thanking those who had written during his illness.
«Я благодарю всех, кто беспокоится о моем здоровье и всех, кто мне писал. Со здоровьем все в порядке, меня уже выписали, и я наконец вернулся к обычной жизни. Спасибо врачам и всем вам!»
["I thank everyone who cares about my health and everyone who wrote to me. My health is fine, I have already been discharged, and I have finally returned to normal life. Thank you to the doctors and to all of you!"]
The princess wrote further on instagram: “ I wish to thank all of you who took the time to write to us about his health condition. All went well and we wish to thank the doctors and medical staff as well as you all.”
Слава Богу!
2022-03-21 Grand Duke Georgy Mikhailovich underwent surgery
On Sunday, March 20, 2022, H.I.V. Grand Duke Georgy Mikhailovich was hospitalized and urgently operated on due to an abdominal hernia.
The operation was successful. In the following days, His Imperial Highness will be discharged from the clinic and return home.
—
2022-03-21 Великий Князь Георгий Михайлович перенёс операцию
В воскресенье, 20 марта 2022 года, Е.И.В. Великий Князь Георгий Михайлович был госпитализирован и экстренно прооперирован в связи с абдоминальной грыжей.
Операция прошла успешно. На днях Его Императорское Высочество будет выписан из клиники и вернётся домой.
FROM THE HEAD OF THE IMPERIAL HOUSE OF RUSSIA
Events taking place in our Homeland have been very alarming and deeply grieving.
Fully recognizing the independence and sovereignty of all the states that were formed after the fall of the USSR, I am at the same time convinced that all of the peoples who historically belonged to the civilizational space of the former Russian Empire are united by the concept of a Homeland in the highest spiritual and cultural sense of the word.
It is frightful and painful to see how, for the past 8 years, brothers and sisters, whose fathers, grandfathers, and great-grandfathers together defended their common Homeland, have been pitted against each other and spilt their blood; how peaceful citizens are dying and suffering; how parents shed inconsolable tears over the coffins of their children. Now the course of these events has culminated in an even greater cataclysm.
The Russian Imperial House does not make statements of a political nature, and in any event, in the current conditions we do not have complete information that would allow us to make them without risking unintended harm. But we are utterly convinced and will always affirm that Russia and Ukraine—all their populations—must never be enemies. This is as monstrous and unnatural a thing as members of the same family murdering each other.
I, my son and heir, The Grand Duke George of Russia, and his spouse, Princess Victoria Romanovna, pray for the immediate implementation of peace.
We are deeply grateful to those who are now making efforts to prevent war and provide assistance to the suffering: the wounded, those who have lost their homes and belongings, and refugees.
May Almighty God save our peoples and may He free us from fratricidal enmity.
H.I.H. The Grand Duchess Maria of Russia
Madrid 24 February, 2022
ОТ ГЛАВЫ РОССИЙСКОГО ИМПЕРАТОРСКОГО ДОМА
События, происходящие в нашем Отечестве, вызывают у меня чрезвычайную тревогу и глубокую печаль.
Всецело признавая независимость и суверенитет всех государств, образовавшихся после распада СССР, в то же время я убеждена, что все народы, исторически принадлежащие к цивилизационному пространству бывшей Всероссийской Империи, объединены понятием Отечества в самом высоком духовном и культурном смысле этого слова.
Страшно и больно видеть, как уже 8 лет льётся кровь ввергнутых в противостояние братьев и сестёр, отцы, деды и прадеды которых вместе защищали общую Родину, как гибнут и страдают мирные граждане, как проливают безутешные слёзы родители над гробами своих детей. Ныне ход этих событий привёл к ещё более масштабным потрясениям.
Российский Императорский Дом не считает себя вправе делать заявления политического характера, ибо в современных условиях мы не располагаем полнотой информации, позволяющей давать подобные оценки без риска причинить невольный вред. Но мы твёрдо уверены и всегда будем утверждать, что Россия и Украина, все населяющие их народы не могут быть врагами. Это настолько же чудовищно и противоестественно, как взаимное истребление друг друга членами одной семьи.
Я, мой сын и наследник Великий Князь Георгий Михайлович и его супруга Светлейшая Княгиня Виктория Романовна молимся о скорейшем водворении мира.
С великой благодарностью относимся мы к тем, кто предпринимает сейчас усилия по предотвращению войны и оказывает помощь пострадавшим – раненым, лишившимся крова и имущества, беженцам.
Да спасет Всемогущий Господь наши народы и да избавит Он их от братоубийственной вражды.
Е.И.В. ВЕЛИКАЯ КНЯГИНЯ
МАРИЯ ВЛАДИМИРОВНА
Мадрид, 11/24 февраля 2022 г.
We are pleased to provide an English translation of the excellent recent article from Hola! Magazine by Martin Bianchi, which may be accessed in the original HERE. The photographs are all courtesy of the Russian Imperial House in Moscow.
WE SPOKE WITH VICTORIA ROMANOFF, RUSSIAN PRINCESS AND “GODMOTHER”
TO ORPHANED BEARS IN MOSCOW: ‘I AM NOT AFRAID’
The wife of George Mikhailovich Romanov, Tsesarevich and Grand Duke of Russia, visited an orphanage that is home to these wild animals and tells us about her experience first-hand.
George and Victoria Romanov made history in October by orchestrating the first royal wedding held in St. Petersburg in more than a century: a three-day event in three separate palaces, with more than 1,500 guests from all parts of the world. Almost five months later, the Tsesarevich and Grand Duke of Russia and his wife, a writer and a now a princess since the day of the wedding, they are now one of Moscow’s fashionable couples. “People treat me with more formality, but the affection that they had for me before my change in status has not changed,” admits Victoria in conversation with HELLO!. The consort of the Grand Duke has just received a new title: that of “godmother” to orphaned bears in the Russian capital, wild animals that draw close to towns in search of food, putting human lives at risk.
A few days ago, the princess visited a centre for bear recovery on the outskirts of Moscow. The orphanage is dedicated to raising abandoned cubs that have lost their mothers, and to provide medical assistance to animals that are sick, or have suffered abuse or ill-treatment. The aim of this institution is to return the animals to freedom in the wild once they have been cured. “Unfortunately, it is not always possible because some of these bears have been too close to human beings for too long, and that hurts their reintegration into the wild. Bears abandon their cubs when a human gets too close to the den. It is a very common problem,“ she explains.
The princess, daughter of an Italian diplomat, visited the bear orphanage in her capacity as a director of the Imperial Foundation, an NGO that was created in 2013 by her husband, the Grand Duke. The Foundation, with more than 10,000 volunteers from across the country, develops solidarity projects and varied programs: from assistance for Russian children with developmental difficulties to projects that protect animals and ecosystems that are threatened by global warming and human incursions. Victoria also serves as the Director of External Relations for FoodbankRus, the first food bank in Russia, which distributes food and provides assistance to more than 1.5 million people in need each year.
Animals are a weak spot for the new Princess Romanov. Asked the question of whether she was afraid to be so close to a 250 kilo bear, her answer was no. “Animals are so strong and yet so vulnerable,” she says. “I was lucky to be born into a family that loves animals and respects their dignity. So I knew that the bear had to evaluate me first, and that, only if I was accepted, was I going to be able to take photos with him. I also must add that this bear is accustomed to human presence because he grew up in a private zoo. Unfortunately, this prevents him from returning to a life in the wild,“ she laments.
“It is important that people understand that these animals are not toys, but beings who feel and suffer when they are abused or caged. And that not all animals can be pets,” says the director of the Imperial Foundation, who counts on the support of her husband, George of Russia, to carry out these campaigns and projects. Five months after her wedding to the Grand Duke, Victoria has a very positive view of her marriage. “We are fortunate because we have known each other for many years and our relationship has never changed,” she says. “We have a healthy relationship in which we support each other, we share the same values, and we laugh a lot”. Have the royal couple already given thought to forming a family? “Of course we want to have a family. It is the foundation of all our values,” she responds emphatically. For now, though, and until the time she becomes a mother, Victoria Romanov is thrilled with her role as godmother to these orphaned bears.
Princess Victoria Romanovna Romanova with “Teddy” - a rescue bearTwo
In two European journals today, a new effort of the Russian Imperial Foundation was announced. The Foundation will be providing assistance to a Bear rescue center just outside of Moscow.
In Russia, bears are important cultural symbols, but frequently are mistreated, or find themselves victims of shrinking resources or habitats. This new initiative will help bears like “Teddy” (above) who was born into captivity in a private zoo, and rescued by the center.
“This bear is used to humans, having grown up in a private zoo from which he was rescued, but unfortunately this prevents him from being able to return to his natural habitat where he would not be able to survive,” Victoria Romanovna said. The princess is an animal lover: “I was lucky to be born into a family that not only loves animals, but respects their dignity.”
To read the article in Hola!, Click HERE (In Spanish)
To read the article in Vanitatis Click HERE (in Spanish)
T.I.H. Grand Duke Vladimir Kirillovich and Grand Duchess Leonida Georgievna of Russia at the Piskarevskoe Memorial Cemetery, Leningrad, USSR, 1991.
Today is an important day in history, marking the anniversary of the end of the siege of Leningrad — almost 900 days of privation and suffering by the citizens of the former capital of St. Petersburg. From abroad, the members of the Imperial House watched anxiously for news of the city which they still regarded as their home.
It was not until 1991, however that the head of the Imperial House, Grand Duke Vladimir Kirillovich and his wife Grand Duchess Leonida Georgievna became the first Romanovs able to pay their respects to those who suffered and died, when they visited the Piskaryevskoye Memorial Cemetery on the outskirts of Leningrad.
Their Imperial Highnesses laid a wreath in memory of those who had died to protect the northern capital and the Russian motherland against Fascist aggression.
