This is the third installment of a monthly feature to my Nicholas II. Emperor. Tsar. Saint. blog, which showcases the vast collection of vintage newsreels which are now available to watch on YouTube and other online media sources. I have taken the liberty of selecting another 5 interesting newsreels which depict Emperor Nicholas II and his family attending events in various cities throughout the Russian Empire.

Many of these newsreels include background music, with tunes of the Russian Empire or Orthodox music. Others are narrated in Russian, however, that should not deter the viewer from watching. You can turn on the English (or other language) subtitles by clicking on Google translate and then turn on the closed captioning [CC] button, found at the bottom of the newsreel. ENJOY!

No. 11 – Nicholas II visits the Iverskaya Chapel in Moscow, 1913

The Great Pilgrimage of Emperor Nicholas II to the beautiful and historic Iverskaya Chapel, situated at the Resurrection Gate which leads into Red Square in Moscow, on May 24-27, 1913. Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna can be seen at 3:08, she is dressed in a white nun’s habit. In this video you will hear a unique audio recording of Orthodox hymns for the Transfiguration of the Lord, performed by the Moscow Chudov Choir in 1908.

Duration: 3 minutes, 5 seconds with musical background

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No. 12 – Nicholas II and his family in Sevastopol, Crimea. 1912

Emperor Nicholas II and his children meet Grand Duke Ernst-Ludwig of Hesse – the brother of Empress Alexandra Feodorovna – and his family at the railway station in Sevastopol, Crimea in the Spring of 1912.

Duration: 1 minute, 12 seconds with musical background

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No. 13 – French President Raymond Poincare’s State Visit to Russia, 1912-1914

n this newsreel we see Emperor Nicholas II with President Raymond Poincare of France at Krasnoye Selo [near St. Petersburg], the summer military capital of the Russian Empire. We see Empress Alexandra Feodorovna and her daughters getting into some of the fine automobiles which the Emperor was so fond of.

This is followed by a parade of grand dukes and generals on horseback. Empress Alexandra Feodorovna is then seen riding in an open carriage with President Raymond Poincare, the Emperor on horseback riding along side.

Members of the Imperial Family join Poincare in a tent, positioned on a slight hill, where they can witness manoeuvres in honour of the French president’s state visit. Towards the end of the footage, the Empress is seen knodding as soldiers file past the tent and its guests.

Duration: 1 minute, 12 seconds with musical background

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No. 14 – The Great Pilgrimage of Emperor Nicholas II, 1913

A one-hour newsreel which documents the highlights Nicholas II’s tour of Russian cities and towns during the celebrations marking the 300th anniversary of the Romanov dynasty in 1913. A must watch!

Duration: 1 hour, 1 minute, 50 seconds with English-language narration

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No. 15 – Funeral procession of Grand Duke Konstantin Konstantinovich, 1915

This vintage newsreel shows the funeral procession of Grand Duke Konstantin Konstantinovich [Nicholas II’s first cousin once removed] to the Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral in St. Petersburg on 21st (O.S.) June 1915.

Emperor Nicholas II can be seen at 1:10 following behind the horse-drawn carriage which carries the coffin bearing the remains of the much loved grand duke.

Grand Duke Konstantin Konstantinovich was the last of the Romanovs to die before the 1917 Revolution and the last Romanov to be buried in the Grand Ducal Mausoleum, which is adjacent to the SS Peter and Paul Cathedral.

Duration: 2 minutes, 54 seconds with Russian-language narration

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Previous Post Featuring MORE Vintage Newsreels of Nicholas II

Nos. 6 – 10

Nos. 1 – 5

© Paul Gilbert. 1 April 2026