Thursday, July 9, 2009

Czar forgives Kirill for marriage

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 July 9, 1909

Czar Nicholas II of Russia has forgiven his cousin, Grand Duke Kirill, for the latter's marriage to Princess Victoria Melita of Edinburgh, whose first marriage to the Grand Duke of Hesse and By Rhine, ended in divorce. The Grand Duke of Hesse is the older brother of Empress Alexandra. Grand Duke Kirill, his wife, and two daughters, Maria, and Kira returned to St. Petersburg today and will live at Tsarkoe-Selo.

The Grand Duke was first permitted to return to Russia to attend the funeral of Grand Duke Alexis last November. After the death of Kirill's father, Grand Duke Wladimir, in February, Kirill's military rank was restored. Victoria Feodorovna, as Victoria Melita is now known, has appeared in court circles, "was due to the intercession" of Kirill's brother, Grand Duke Boris.

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 Grand Duchess Victoria Feodorovna and her husband are first cousins. She is also a first cousin to Nicholas II and to Empress Alexandra.

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