PHOTO: Prince George mikhailovich and his mother Princess Maria Vladimirovna

Of the more than 40,000 pilgrims, clergy and believers who came to Ekaterinburg from all over Russia and abroad, not a single descendant of the Romanov dynasty attended this year’s Tsar’s Days events. On the night of 16/17 July, an outdoor Divine Liturgy is performed at the Church on the Blood, marking the death and martyrdom of Emperor Nicholas II and his family.

Notably absent (again) this year, were Princess Maria “Masha” Vladimirovna and her son Prince George “Gosha” Mikhailovich (Hohenzollern), the self-proclaimed “heads” of the “Russian Imperial House”. It is interesting to note, that up until her death in 2020, Olga Kulikovsky-Romanova, the widow of Tikhon Kulikovsky- Romanov, was the ONLY Romanov family member who attended the event on a regular basis.

One would simply assume, that if any one among the Romanov descendants who should be in the Ural capital to honour Russia’s last Tsar and his family, it should be the “Head” of the Russian Imperial Family, surely?! Not so.

Let us not forget that it was Masha’s great-grandmother Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna, who was openly hostile towards both the last Emperor and Empress. In addition, Masha’s grandfather and Gosha’s great-grandfather Grand Duke Kirill was a traitor to Russia’s last Tsar.

According to Alexander Zakatov, who serves as Masha’s senior mouth piece and head of her “chancellery” in Moscow, the allegations against Kirill were all part of a smear campaign, while others shamefully and falsely put the blame on the Empress Alexandra Feodorovna. Poor Alix, she has been blamed for so many of the trials and tribulations which befell Nicholas, the monarchy and downfall of the Russian Empire.

Why is it relevant for a Romanov family member to attend?

Masha styles herself as the Head of the Russian Imperial House, a “grand duchess” and “only” legitimate claimant to the now, non-existent Russian throne. She is none of the above! Likewise, her son, George “Gosha” is the self-styled “Heir Tsesarevich”, he “heir” to nothing!

The Russian Imperial House ended with the murder of Emperor Nicholas II on 17th July 1918. While some members escaped Bolshevik Russia, the House and it’s legal status as such during the Russian Empire ceased to exist. The titles of “Your Imperial Highness Grand Duke” and “Grand Duchess of Russia” were no longer acknowledged among in Europe, and most certainly in the Soviet Union. Their titles no longer opened doors for them, and invitations to royal events in Europe were seldom extended.

Maria “Masha” Vladimirovna is not a Grand Duchess, she is a Princess [and even this title is questioned among some historians]. The last Grand Duchess of Russia was Nicholas II’s youngest sister, Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna, who died on 24th November 1960.

Should the monarchy ever be restored in Russia, Masha has no rights, whatsoever, to the throne. Her supporters [mostly a group of American social media zealots] style her as “Empress de Jure”. They hold a make believe Court, addressing her as “Your Imperial Highness”, kiss her hand, bow and curtsey, like she is some “golden cow” – no pun intended!

Western sanctions and the war in Ukraine cannot be used as excuses by either Masha or Gosha’s for not attending Tsar’s Days in Ekaterinburg. While travelling to Russia is indeed difficult since the sanctions were imposed, it is not impossible. While most foreign airlines have ceased flying into Russia, it is still possible to reach St. Petersburg, Moscow and even Ekaterinburg from Europe via 3 foreign carriers.

It is interesting to note that Princess Maria Vladimirova recently arrived in Moscow in early July 2025, to attend the baptism of her granddaughter Kira. This, by the way, is Masha’s third or fourth visit to Russia since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war.

Gosha who resides in Moscow, is the only Romanov descendant currently living in Russia, so one can only speculate his absence this year?

On 1st October 2021, Gosha married Rebecca Bettarini, the daughter of an Italian diplomat. She converted to Russian Orthodoxy, and Masha decreed the title of “Princess” on Bettarini, with the predicate “Her Serene Highness” and the right to use the surname Romanov.

It is important to emphasize, that Maria Vladimirovna never had, nor does she have any authority to hand out titles or awards as she is not and never has been a ruling monarch. Despite this, Maria actively, distributes orders, medals and even titles of the Russian Empire. While many orders and awards of the Russian Empire have been officially restored in the modern Russian Federation, Masha is an ordinary civilian, and not a representative of the state, therefore, has no right to distribute the same order in appearance and name to her supporters on behalf of the “Imperial House”.

Gosha and Rebecca have two children: Alexander and Kira. As this was a morganatic marriage, should the monarchy be restored in Russia, neither Gosha or his children would have any rights of succession.

Masha and Gosha do not recognize the Ekaterinburg Remains

To this day, despite an investigation which has lasted more than a century, Masha and Gosha, still DO NOT recognize the Ekaterinburg Remains as those of Emperor Nicholas II and his family; nor did either one of them attended the Tsar’s interment in St Petersburg on 17th July 1998.

In addition, neither Masha nor Gosha, have visited the Romanov Memorial at Porosenkov Log, situated on the Old Koptyaki Road near Ekaterinburg. Recall that it was here, where the remains of Emperor Nicholas II and his family were discovered in two separate graves in 1991 and 2007 respectively.

So, why does Maria Vladimirovna refuse to acknowledge the authenticity of the Ekaterinburg Remains? “We neither affirm nor deny the authenticity of the remains but are waiting for the Church’s Council to determine. Once this has been done, the Imperial House will welcome it with joy,” says Zakatov.

It appears that Maria Vladimirovna cannot think for herself on this issue. She would never dare speak out against either the Church or Putin. If she challenged or criticized the former, she would no doubt face the wrath of the Church. Likewise, if she challenged or criticized the latter, she would most likely be made persona non grata in Russia.

PHOTO: Masha warmly greeting Russian president Vladimir Putin

Friends in the Kremlin

For some people, Masha and Gosha’s support of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, continues to be a major bone of contention. As previously noted, Masha arrived in Moscow in early July, her third or fourth visit to Russia since the outbreak of the war.

Recall that in 2014, Masha “awarded” the Imperial Order of St. Anastasia to State Duma deputy Natalya Poklonskaya, for her efforts in the reunification of Crimea with Russia.

On 30th November 2017, Poklonskaya returned the Order and nobility title, because Maria Vladimirovna refused to support Poklonskaya’s efforts on outlawing the controversial film Matilda for its allegedly blasphemous portrayal of the affair between Nicholas II and the ballerina Matilda Kshesinskaya.

Both Masha and Gosha continue to “maintain good relations with Vladimir Putin”. In recent years, however, her supporters have tried to distance Masha from Putin. A series of photos taken some years back, paint another story. They depict the two meeting in Moscow, warmly greeting one another like old friends.

© Paul Gilbert. 22 July 2025