Vanity Fair Italia Visits With the Romanoffs

Vanity Fair Italia has just published a piece with news of Grand Duke George and Princess Romanoff from their summer holiday on the Italian coast. You may read the original article HERE. RL is happy to provide an italian translation.

The Italian Holidays of George Mikhailovich and Rebecca Bettarini (waiting for the royal baby).

The last heir of the tsars and the Italian businesswoman, expecting their first child, made a stop in Rome and then in Puglia with the two animals from which they never separate: their dog Zhong and their Parrot, Gilbert

ROBERTA MERCURI

12 August 2022

Last October, photos of their imperial wedding in St. Petersburg went around the world. Now the last heir to the tsars, George Mikhailovich, and Italian businesswoman Rebecca Bettarini, expecting their first child, decided to spend their first vacation as a husband and wife in Italy. The Royals-who in July announced they were expecting a boy-made a stop in Rome and then in Puglia. The social media photos - from the capital to the trulli of Alberobello-reveal the already evident baby bump of the expectant mother and expose all her joy.

George Mikhailovich, 41, son of Prince Franz Wilhelm of Prussia and Grand Duchess Maria, and Rebecca Bettarini, 36, daughter of Ambassador Roberto Bettarini, have been linked for eleven years. The two met at a reception at the French Embassy in Brussels. "The courtship was natural, spontaneous: we discovered that we had the same values, the same education. A deep friendship was born that little by little turned into love".

On October 4, 2021, George and Rebecca entered St. Isaac's Cathedral for the first imperial wedding in over a century, in the city of St. Petersburg, built by his ancestor, Peter the Great. The couple were visibly moved when they received the wedding blessing from the Metropolitan of St. Petersburg, the highest religious authority, in a ceremony attended by the Crowned Heads of half the world. Almost a year after the "yes" the two, for their first holidays as husband and wife and the last, perhaps, before becoming parents, have chosen Italy.


Anniversary of the Declaration of the Curatorship of the Throne by Grand Duke Kirill Vladimirovich.

One hundred years ago, Grand Duke Kirill Vladimirovich lifted the banner of monarchism which had lain dormant since the murder of Nicholas II, his son Tsesarevich Alexis, and his brother Grand Duke Michael Alexandrovich. Kirill’s act declaring himself the “Curator” or “Protector” of the throne marked a transitional moment in the history of Russian monarchism.

An exceptional essay on this has been written by Alexander Zakatov, PhD., historian and director of the Chancellery of HIH Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna, head of the House of Romanov, and the granddaughter of Grand Duke Kirill.

Read an English translation HERE.

Histoires Royales Visits with Grand Duke George and Princess Victoria on Holiday

Russian Legitimist is happy to provide a translation of the original article, available HERE.

Grand Duke George and Princess Victoria visit Puglia with Zhong and Gilbert before the birth of their son

by NICOLAS FONTAINE

Grand Duke George Mikhailovich Romanov and Princess Victoria Romanovna are currently on holiday in Puglia. The beautiful Italian is expecting her first child. The family heir apparent of the Imperial House of Russia is expecting a boy.

Before the arrival of their first child, the family of Grand Duke George and Princess Victoria consists of Zhong and Gilbert. The Tsarevich and his wife are very fond of animals. Victoria's Japanese spaniel and parrot accompany them everywhere. Georges, Victoria, Zhong and Gilbert are currently on holiday in Puglia.

It is at their holiday home in the south of Italy that the son and daughter-in-law of the Grand Duchess of Maria Vladimirovna enjoy a few days of respite. The couple are spending their summer in Italy, the country of origin of Princess Romanoff. Victoria, born Rebecca Bettarini, is the daughter of Italian ambassador Robert Bettarini.

Photo: David Niviere

A Very Happy Name Day to HIH Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna!

Today, August 4 (July 22nd, O.S.) is the feast of the Holy Myrrh-Bearer and Equal-to-the-Apostles St. Mary Magdalene, heavenly patron of Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna, head of the Russian Imperial House.

The Editors of Russian Legitimist send our hearty congratulations and best wishes for many years!

С днём ангела! Многая и благая лета!

Joyful News: A Son!

It was announced today by the Russian Imperial House that the child of Grand Duke George and Princess Romanov will be a son.

The announcement came simultaneously via the Imperial Chancellery in Moscow, the couple’s social media, Paris Match Magazine, and through Frederic de Natal’s “Dynastie” magazine.

The announcement came on the feast of the Kazan Mother of God.

Grand Duke George and Princess Victoria in “Histoires Royales”

Histoires Royales has published a piece on Grand Duke George Mikhailovich and Princess Victoria Romanovna and spoke with the couple as they spent some time in Rome this summer. The original article is by Nicolas Fontaine, and the photos by David Niviere. We are happy to post a translation for English speakers. 

Read the original article HERE

Princess Romanoff and her “baby bump” in Rome: The Tsarevich George and Victoria prepare for the baby’s arrival 

Buying a crib, a well-deserved rest and strolling through the streets of Rome, the future parents allow themselves a little time in Rome! Grand Duke George Mikhailovich and his wife are in Italy, the perfect opportunity to present Princess Victoria's round belly to her Italian family. A few weeks ago, the heir to the Imperial House of Russia announced that his young wife was expecting the couple’s first child.

Princess Victoria Romanovna presents her rounded belly to her relatives in Italy

The expected date of delivery and the sex of the baby have not yet been publicly announced.. Even if the mystery hovers until the birth, one thing is certain: George and Rebecca, 41 and 37 years old, are anxiously awaiting the arrival of their first child. The Romanoff heir and Grand Duke married Rebecca Bettarini on October 1, 2021. Rebecca, a writer and director of the Imperial Foundation, took the name Victoria Romanovna when she converted to the Orthodox religion.

Victoria, who received the title of Princess Romanoff from her mother-in-law upon her marriage to the heir to the Imperial House of Russia, already sports a rounded tummy. The couple is currently on vacation in Italy, Victoria's homeland, and the expectant mother took the opportunity to present her baby bump to her loved ones and family.

Buying clothes for the newborn, walking through the streets of the Italian capital, George and Rebecca had a very nice first photo shoot as parents-to-be. This is Rebecca's first appearance with her babybelly. Of course, Zhong, Victoria's Japanese spaniel, was also along on the trip!

George Romanov and Victoria Romanovna are thrilled and eager to be parents

After living in several European cities, including Brussels where they met, George and his wife have settled in Moscow. The couple works for the various charities that their foundation supports, in particular the food bank Foodbank Rus, which was has been working overtime during the pandemic and now during this period of instability in the east of the continent.

George and Rebecca announced the good news at the end of May 2022. George and Rebecca were married civilly in Moscow, on September 24, 2021. They were married with great fanfare in a religious ceremony at St. Isaac's Cathedral in St. Petersburg on October 1, 2021.

Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna, the current head of the Imperial House of Russia and mother of the heir Grand Duke George, learned the "news with great joy and gratitude." Grand Duke George is the only son of Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna and her ex-husband, Prince Franz Wilhelm of Prussia. Rebecca Bettarini is the daughter of Italian ambassador Roberto Bettarini.

The lovely photos of the couple in Rome show that the statement from the Imperial House is true: Princess Romanoff is doing well and is "in excellent health." The princess has no plans at the moment to “cancel or postpone her current commitments" but she may have to not accept too many new commitments in the coming months.

George and Rebecca met many years ago and collaborated on the creation of the Imperial Foundation. Rebecca, who now heads the Foundation, converted to the Orthodox religion in July 2020 during a liturgy led by Metropolitan Barsanophius of St. Petersburg and Ladoga, at the Ss. Paul and Peter Cathedral, taking the Orthodox name of Victoria Romanovna. Her mother-in-law granted her the title of Princess Romanoff at her wedding with the style of Serene Highness.

Nicolas Fontaine, Photos by David Niviere.

New interview with Princess Romanoff in Gente Settimanale

Gente: Royalty

The first interview with The Romanoffs since their happy announcement. Russian Legitimist is pleased to provide a translation of the original Italian interview, conducted and written by Barbara Nevosi

***

Love was born over time — the long engagement and then the fairytale wedding in St. Isaac's Cathedral in St. Petersburg last October. Now, the news of the crowning moment of the dream of Rebecca Bettarini (who with her wedding became Princess Victoria) and her husband, the Grand Duke George Romanoff, has arrived: she is expecting. Yes, it brings great joy to the family: soon a baby will be born, an heir to the tsars, in whose veins Italian blood will flow. Roman by birth, cosmopolitan in upbringing, Rebecca, born in 1982, grew up following her father, Ambassador Roberto Bettarini, during his diplomatic assignments around the world. She speaks six languages, has a degree in Political Science, writes mystery novels for pleasure and has a pragmatic and determined attitude. Before getting married she worked in an Italian defense group and founded her own consulting company.

Now she manages several foundations, each dealing with charity and food assistance, as well as to help stem the "culture of waste." Gente now meets Rebecca and George for the first time since the official announcement of their engagement. And today, we collect the thoughts of the expectant mother, eagerly awaiting her firstborn,

Rebecca, how are you feeling?

“I feel well. I am in my fifth month and this pregnancy is proving to be very calm.”

Do you already know the sex of the baby?

"Yes. but we will reveal it later. We are waiting until we choose the name and then we will reveal whether it is a male or a female".

What about baptism?

“In the Orthodox Church this is done 40 days after the birth of the baby. There is a Chancellery which will organize everything, just as they did for the wedding. They will speak to the clergy and decide where it will be most appropriate to celebrate it".

How are you preparing yourself to become a mother?

"I haven't really internalized the idea yet. The important thing is that this baby is healthy, that everything is fine and that the birth is seen as a good sign of a more peaceful future. We live in difficult times. Beyond the fighting in Ukraine, there are many conflicts in the world, and enormous poverty continues to exist. As a girl, with my parents, I lived in Baghdad during the war, so I understand what I am talking about quite well. One always hopes that history will not repeat itself, but it is not so".

A few weeks ago you and your husband released ‘doves of peace’

"It was a symbolic gesture. We do not enter into political issues, as we would never want our words to be taken out of context. As my husband says, we stopped being involved in politics 100 years ago. Releasing doves is a sign of peace, that peace which is a universal right and goal of all peoples. We all hope for a better future for our children and promote reconciliation as soon as possible.

Your Highness, have you always hoped to become a mother?

"Yes, but only with the right person. With my husband we have cultivated this desire together, we also waited until we could stabilize a bit as we have each lived in many different cities over the years".

What made you fall in love with her husband?

"His kindness, his goodness. Characteristically. we met one another, but it was only later that the spark went off. For years we were just friends, but the first time I brought George home, my father said ,"You are going to marry this boy, because he already looks like our son.” He was family-oriented, and we had in common similar education, mentality, and values.”

How has it been since the first months afterthe wedding. What changes have you faced?

"We have not changed personally, or as a couple, but the perception of us by others has. I had no role before, but now I do. In Russia, the history and the past are very much felt and respected. And since the Romanoffs reigned for three hundred years, the Russians themselves identify very much with the family. Then there is a very strong religious component: Nicholas II and his whole family (exterminated by the Bolsheviks in Yekaterinburg on the night between 16 and 17 July 918, ED.) are Saints and Martyrs, and in us, as their descendants, they see a continuity".

Your husband said that he feels like a guardian of the historical and cultural memory of Russia, How do you help him?

“The Romanoffs do not have political offices, but a service role. We use our name to do good, making it available to those who suffer. We also helped the Orthodox community abroad during the pandemic. We help Russians and Ukrainians with the problems in Ukraine. Russians and Ukrainians are brothers, like Armenians and Uzbeks.  When we give assistance we don’t check passports.”

Do you already imagine what kind of father George will be?

"I believe he will be attentive and taken by the role. And very sensitive, maybe even a little nervous. The doctor says that with the second child that gets better".

Do you have any plans soon?

"In time, to return to Italy for a while, to enjoy a bit of relaxation by the sea".

Barbara Nevosi

Grand Duke George & Princess Victoria award the “Heritage” Book Prizes for 2020-2021

On May 28, 2022, a solemn awards ceremony of the "Heritage" literary prize was held at the Central House of Writers in Moscow. The prizes were awarded for two seasons at once: 2020 and 2021, since no ceremonies were held during these years due to the worldwide Coronavirus pandemic.

The Heritage («Наследие») Prize is under the patronage of the Head of the Russian Imperial House, Her Imperial Highness Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna, who has been present at the award ceremony in every previous year.

This year, the ceremony was attended by the son and heir of the Grand Duchess – His Imperial Highness Grand Duke George Mikhailovich, together with his wife, Her Serene Highness Princess Victoria Romanovna.

For more, read HERE (in Russian)