On the night of 24/25th April 2025, American author Greg King died, aged 61. The cause of death was cardiovascular disease.

King is the author of more than a dozen biographies of prominent historical figures, but he is perhaps best known for his writings about Russia’s last tsar Nicholas II (2006), Empress Alexandra Feodorovna (1994), the Grand Dukes Konstantinovich (2006), Prince Felix Yusupov (1996) and Anastasia/Anna Anderson (2010).

His works on European and British royalty include biographies on King Ludwig II of Bavaria (1996), Crown Prince Rudolph of Austria, Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, Wallis Simpson Duchess of Windsor (1999) and the Court of Queen Victoria (2007).

His non-royalty works included studies of the Luisitania (2015) and the Andrea Doria (2020).

A number of King’s works were co-authored by his long-time friend Penny Wilson.

In addition, Greg King was a frequent onscreen expert and commentator for historical documentaries, his work has appeared in numerous publications including The Washington Post, Majesty Magazine, and Royalty Magazine. 

On a personal note, I only met Greg on one occasion, and that was in the mid-1990s. He was among the first group of American and Canadian travellers who took part in my first organized tour of Russia: The World of Nicholas and Alexandra. We communicated by telephone and email for some years after that, and then we parted ways. I continued to follow his work.

My favourite book written by King is The Court of the Last Tsar: Pomp, Power and Pageantry in the Reign of Nicholas II (2006). I recall him telling me of his plans to write this particular book, during our visit to St. Petersburg and Moscow all those many years ago. In addition, is his book A Life for the Tsar: Triumph and Tragedy at the Coronation of Emperor Nicholas II of Russia (2016).

While I did not agree with some of Greg’s research, I have to give credit where credit is due. He had a large and dedicated following and his passing will leave a large void in research on the life and reign of Russia’s last Tsar and his family. His death at such an early age is indeed tragic, may he rest in peace.

© Paul Gilbert. 26 April 2025