PHOTOS © Телеканал «Первый Тульский»

On 26th July 2023, three letters written by Tsesarevich Alexei Nikolaevich to his grandmother Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna were presented at the Nicholas II. Family and Throne exhibition, which opened on 21st April 2023 at the Tula branch of the State Historical Museum. The letters will be on display until 15th August 2023.

Empress Maria Feodorovna, wife of Emperor Alexander III, mother of Emperor Nicholas II, had 15 grandchildren – many of whom grew up before her eyes. Many of her grandchildren’s letters to her have been preserved, including three letters dated 1911, 1914 and 1916 respectively from Tsesarevich Alexei Nikolaevich (1904-1918).

In these charming letters, the heir to the throne congratulates his grandmother on Easter and Birthday, while briefly updating her on his health and plans. Each letter is written a few weeks before the holiday. Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna often visited her family in Denmark and her sister Queen Alexandra in England, so the letters often took weeks to reach her. Her grandson’s letters are quite short and affectingly signed “loving you Alexei”.

On 9th November 1911, 7-year-old Tsesarevich Alexei wrote to Maria Feodorovna from Livadia (above): “Dear Grandmother! I congratulate you on your birthday. I’ve already started learning. I read and write every day . . . “.

Also on display is a photograph of Alexei (above), taken in the Boassonnas and Eggler Studio in St. Petersburg in 1907, and a photograph of Empress Maria Feodorovna and her sister, Queen Alexandra of Great Britain, taken in 1908.

© Paul Gilbert. 29 July 2023