Nicholas Romanov
Encyclopedia
Nicholas Romanovich Romanov, Prince of Russia also known as Prince Nicholas Romanov (born 26 September 1922) is a claimant to the headship of the House of Romanov and President of the Romanov Family Association
. Although he is undoubtedly a descendant of Tsar Nicholas I of Russia
, his claimed titles and official membership in the former Imperial House are disputed by those who maintain that his parents' marriage violated the Laws of Imperial Russia.
, France, the eldest son of Prince Roman Petrovich
and his wife Princess Praskovia Dmitrievna (née Countess Sheremetev
a). Prince Nicholas has a younger brother Prince Dimitri Romanov
ich. Their father Prince Roman Petrovich was the only son of Grand Duke Peter Nicolaievich
and Grand Duchess Militsa Nikolaievna (née Princess of Montenegro). His grandfather was the younger son of Grand Duke Nicholas Nikolaevich and Grand Duchess Alexandra Petrovna
(née Duchess of Oldenburg). His great grandfather Nicholas Nikolaevich was a younger son of Emperor Nicholas I of Russia
and Empress Alexandra Fyodorovna
(née Princess Charlotte of Prussia
) founded the Nikolaevichi branch of the Russian Imperial Family.
Prince Nicholas was brought up in Cap d'Antibes with his family still using the Julian calendar
and he has spoken Russian and French since his childhood. He was brought up in a Russian environment with his local church having a Russian priest and his family employing Russian staff and a Russian nanny.
and not an Imperial Russian Navy
, he decided to work towards a career in the Italian Navy
. Using his family's close relationship to the Italian Royal Family
(both his grandmother Militsa and Queen Helena
of Italy, wife of King Victor Emmanuel III
, were daughters of King Nicholas I of Montenegro
) he began to study in Italy under the tutorage of a retired Italian Naval officer with the aim of attending the Naval Academy
of Livorno
. However, Nicholas's hopes of a Naval career evaporated when he showed signs of near-sightedness.
He completed his education in Italy graduating from a Liceo classico
in 1942.
, Prince Nicholas and his family lived at the residence of Victor Emmanuel III of Italy
. When the King left Rome, Nicholas and his family went into hiding for nine months. During the occupation of Rome by Germany, Nicholas's grandmother, who was at great risk of deportation as a sister of the Queen, had to take shelter in the Holy See
. In 1942 the ruling Fascists in Italy approached Prince Nicholas to offer him the throne of Montenegro
. He declined.
Prince Nicholas wanted to study engineering at the University of Rome but the war prevented this so following its conclusion he found employment by working as a civilian for the Allies
in the Psychological Warfare Division
and the United States Information Service. On the advice of King Umberto II
Prince Nicholas and his family left Italy for Egypt
in 1946. While living in Egypt he was involved in the purchasing and sale of Turkish tobacco
as well as finding work in an Insurance
company.
Returning to Europe in 1950 Prince Nicholas worked in Rome for the Austin Motor Company
until 1954. Following the death of his brother-in-law he took over the management of his wife's property and business in Tuscany. The business was a large farm which he managed for 25 years from 1955 to 1980 where he bred Chianina
cattle and produced wine
. He sold the farm in 1982 and moved to Rougemont, Switzerland
. A refugee
from birth Prince Nicholas was a stateless person and used to travel abroad on a letter issued by the King of Greece. He finally became a citizen of Italy in 1988. Prince Nicholas visited Russia for the first time in June 1992 when he acted as a second tour guide
for a group of businessmen. He often appears in the media to talk about the Romanovs, giving over 100 television interviews, and appearing in television documentaries such as the 2003 Danish documentary "En Kongelig familie" and the 2007 France 3
produced documentary called "Un nom en héritage, les Romanov". In 1999 a documentary on his life was produced by the Russian television channel NTV.
was officially formed with Prince Dmitri Alexandrovich
as president and Nicholas as vice president. When Vasili Alexandrovich
became president in 1980 Nicholas remained vice president.
In 1989 following the death of Vasili Alexandrovich, Prince Nicholas was elected as the new president of the Romanov Family Association. The Association presently has as members the majority of the male-line descendants of Emperor Nicholas I of Russia
though Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna has never joined and neither did her late father Grand Duke Vladimir Cyrillovich.
abdicated for himself and for his son Tsaravich Alexi in favour of his brother Grand Duke Michael Alexandrovich
who then deferred ascending the Throne until a Constituent Assembly ratified his rule. Emperor Michael II, as he was legally pronounced by Nicholas II, did not abdicate but empowered the Provisional Government
to rule. Michael's "reign" was ended with his execution in 1918.
Prince Nicholas considers that following the death of Grand Duke Vladimir Cyrillovich in 1992 that he is now head of the House of Romanov and his rightful successor. On the basis that Vladimir Cyrillovich was the last male dynast and all other Romanovs are excluded due to their parents' unequal marriages, Vladimir's daughter Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna also put forward a claim to the headship of the imperial house on her father's death. With the exception of Grand Duchess Maria, Prince Nicholas is recognized by the rest of the family as head of the Imperial House. However, the final edition of the Almanach de Gotha published by Justus Perthes
, in 1944, stated that the marriage of Nicholas's parents was "not in conformity with the laws of the house" although some previous editions had listed him as a dynastic member of the Imperial House. Prince Nicholas has said regarding unequal marriages in the Imperial Family:
Prince Nicholas led the Romanov family at the funeral in St. Petersburg of the last Russian Emperor Nicholas II
and his family in July 1998. As head of the family he was also present at the reburial of the remains of the Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna in Russia in September, 2006. Prince Nicholas and his brother Prince Dmitri had been responsible for lobbying the Danish royal family
and the Russian President Vladimir Putin
to allow the transfer of the Dowager Empress’s remains to Russia so they could be buried alongside her husband Emperor Alexander III
.
The Prince is in the line of succession to the British throne through his ancestor Nicholas the First's wife (Charlotte of Prussia, a descendant of George the First).
and a direct descendant of Count Ugolino della Gherardesca
, met at a party in Rome. They were married in Florence
in a civil ceremony
on 31 December 1951 followed by a religious ceremony on 21 January 1952 in the Russian Cathedral at Cannes
.
Prince Nicholas and his wife have three daughters:
Prince Nicholas and his wife live in Rougemont, Switzerland
, for seven months every year, usually in the winter. During the rest of the year they stay in Italy with their daughters. The prince still uses the Julian calendar
and is fluent in French, Russian, Italian and English. He is also able to read Spanish.
N.B. Since the Russian Revolution , members of the Imperial family have tended to drop the territorial designation “of Russia” and use the princely title with the surname Romanov. However this title, and even his right to the surname Romanov are disputed by some.
Romanov Family Association
The Romanov Family Association, Obyedineniye Chlenov Roda Romanovykh , is an organization for male-line descendants of Emperor Paul I of Russia...
. Although he is undoubtedly a descendant of Tsar Nicholas I of Russia
Nicholas I of Russia
Nicholas I , was the Emperor of Russia from 1825 until 1855, known as one of the most reactionary of the Russian monarchs. On the eve of his death, the Russian Empire reached its historical zenith spanning over 20 million square kilometers...
, his claimed titles and official membership in the former Imperial House are disputed by those who maintain that his parents' marriage violated the Laws of Imperial Russia.
Family and childhood
Prince Nicholas was born in Cap d'Antibes near AntibesAntibes
Antibes is a resort town in the Alpes-Maritimes department in southeastern France.It lies on the Mediterranean in the Côte d'Azur, located between Cannes and Nice. The town of Juan-les-Pins is within the commune of Antibes...
, France, the eldest son of Prince Roman Petrovich
Prince Roman Petrovich of Russia
Prince Roman Petrovich of Russia was a member of the House of Romanov.-Russian prince:Prince Roman Petrovich was born in the Peterhof Palace in St. Petersburg the only son of Grand Duke Peter Nikolaevich of Russia and his wife Princess Milica of Montenegro...
and his wife Princess Praskovia Dmitrievna (née Countess Sheremetev
Sheremetev
The Sheremetev family was one of the wealthiest and most influential noble families of Russia.The family held many high commanding ranks in the Russian military, governorships and eventually the rank of Count of the Russian Empire...
a). Prince Nicholas has a younger brother Prince Dimitri Romanov
Prince Dimitri Romanov
Prince Dimitri Romanovich Romanov is a Russian prince, philanthropist and author. He is also the heir to the prerogatives of Nicholas Romanov, Prince of Russia a claimant to headship of the Imperial House of Russia....
ich. Their father Prince Roman Petrovich was the only son of Grand Duke Peter Nicolaievich
Grand Duke Peter Nicolaievich of Russia
Grand Duke Peter Nikolaevich of Russia was a member of the Russian Imperial Family.-Early life and marriage:...
and Grand Duchess Militsa Nikolaievna (née Princess of Montenegro). His grandfather was the younger son of Grand Duke Nicholas Nikolaevich and Grand Duchess Alexandra Petrovna
Grand Duchess Alexandra Petrovna of Russia
Grand Duchess Alexandra Petrovna of Russia was a daughter of Duke Peter Georgievich of Oldenburg and a great granddaughter of Emperor Paul I of Russia. She married Grand Duke Nicholas Nikolaevich of Russia , the elder, and was the mother of Grand Duke Nicholas Nikolaevich of Russia , the younger...
(née Duchess of Oldenburg). His great grandfather Nicholas Nikolaevich was a younger son of Emperor Nicholas I of Russia
Nicholas I of Russia
Nicholas I , was the Emperor of Russia from 1825 until 1855, known as one of the most reactionary of the Russian monarchs. On the eve of his death, the Russian Empire reached its historical zenith spanning over 20 million square kilometers...
and Empress Alexandra Fyodorovna
Alexandra Fyodorovna (Charlotte of Prussia)
Alexandra Feodorovna, born Princess Charlotte of Prussia , was Empress consort of Russia. She was the wife of Tsar Nicholas I, and mother of Tsar Alexander II.-Princess of Prussia:...
(née Princess Charlotte of Prussia
Kingdom of Prussia
The Kingdom of Prussia was a German kingdom from 1701 to 1918. Until the defeat of Germany in World War I, it comprised almost two-thirds of the area of the German Empire...
) founded the Nikolaevichi branch of the Russian Imperial Family.
Prince Nicholas was brought up in Cap d'Antibes with his family still using the Julian calendar
Julian calendar
The Julian calendar began in 45 BC as a reform of the Roman calendar by Julius Caesar. It was chosen after consultation with the astronomer Sosigenes of Alexandria and was probably designed to approximate the tropical year .The Julian calendar has a regular year of 365 days divided into 12 months...
and he has spoken Russian and French since his childhood. He was brought up in a Russian environment with his local church having a Russian priest and his family employing Russian staff and a Russian nanny.
Education and Naval aspirations
Prince Nicholas received a private education in France with his studies following the old Russian school curriculum. In 1936 his family moved to Italy due to the standard of schooling being better. He aspired to be a naval officer and had convinced his parents by the age of 12 that this was his dream. However, as he was a Romanov and there was a Soviet NavySoviet Navy
The Soviet Navy was the naval arm of the Soviet Armed Forces. Often referred to as the Red Fleet, the Soviet Navy would have played an instrumental role in a Warsaw Pact war with NATO, where it would have attempted to prevent naval convoys from bringing reinforcements across the Atlantic Ocean...
and not an Imperial Russian Navy
Imperial Russian Navy
The Imperial Russian Navy refers to the Tsarist fleets prior to the February Revolution.-First Romanovs:Under Tsar Mikhail Feodorovich, construction of the first three-masted ship, actually built within Russia, was completed in 1636. It was built in Balakhna by Danish shipbuilders from Holstein...
, he decided to work towards a career in the Italian Navy
Italian Navy
Italian Navy may refer to:* Pre-unitarian navies of the Italian states* Regia Marina, the Royal Navy of the Kingdom of Italy * Italian Navy , the navy of the Italian Republic...
. Using his family's close relationship to the Italian Royal Family
House of Savoy
The House of Savoy was formed in the early 11th century in the historical Savoy region. Through gradual expansion, it grew from ruling a small county in that region to eventually rule the Kingdom of Italy from 1861 until the end of World War II, king of Croatia and King of Armenia...
(both his grandmother Militsa and Queen Helena
Elena of Montenegro
Elena of Montenegro was the daughter of King Nikola I Petrović-Njegoš of Montenegro and his wife, Milena Vukotić...
of Italy, wife of King Victor Emmanuel III
Victor Emmanuel III of Italy
Victor Emmanuel III was a member of the House of Savoy and King of Italy . In addition, he claimed the crowns of Ethiopia and Albania and claimed the titles Emperor of Ethiopia and King of Albania , which were unrecognised by the Great Powers...
, were daughters of King Nicholas I of Montenegro
Nicholas I of Montenegro
Nikola I Mirkov Petrović-Njegoš was the only king of Montenegro, reigning as king from 1910 to 1918 and as prince from 1860 to 1910. He was also a poet, notably penning "Onamo, 'namo!", a popular song from Montenegro.-Early life:Nikola was born in the village of Njeguši, the ancient home of the...
) he began to study in Italy under the tutorage of a retired Italian Naval officer with the aim of attending the Naval Academy
Accademia Navale di Livorno
The Italian Naval Academy is a coeducational military university in Leghorn , which is responsible for the technical training of military officers of the Italian Navy.-The Hospital of St. James:...
of Livorno
Livorno
Livorno , traditionally Leghorn , is a port city on the Tyrrhenian Sea on the western edge of Tuscany, Italy. It is the capital of the Province of Livorno, having a population of approximately 160,000 residents in 2009.- History :...
. However, Nicholas's hopes of a Naval career evaporated when he showed signs of near-sightedness.
He completed his education in Italy graduating from a Liceo classico
Liceo classico
Liceo classico is a secondary school type in Italy. The educational curriculum lasts five years, and students are generally about 14 to 19 years of age....
in 1942.
World War II and post war
During World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Prince Nicholas and his family lived at the residence of Victor Emmanuel III of Italy
Victor Emmanuel III of Italy
Victor Emmanuel III was a member of the House of Savoy and King of Italy . In addition, he claimed the crowns of Ethiopia and Albania and claimed the titles Emperor of Ethiopia and King of Albania , which were unrecognised by the Great Powers...
. When the King left Rome, Nicholas and his family went into hiding for nine months. During the occupation of Rome by Germany, Nicholas's grandmother, who was at great risk of deportation as a sister of the Queen, had to take shelter in the Holy See
Holy See
The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and...
. In 1942 the ruling Fascists in Italy approached Prince Nicholas to offer him the throne of Montenegro
Kingdom of Montenegro (1941-1944)
The Kingdom of Montenegro or the Independent State of Montenegro existed from 1941 to 1943 as a puppet protectorate of Fascist Italy, a component of the envisioned Italian Empire...
. He declined.
Prince Nicholas wanted to study engineering at the University of Rome but the war prevented this so following its conclusion he found employment by working as a civilian for the Allies
Allies of World War II
The Allies of World War II were the countries that opposed the Axis powers during the Second World War . Former Axis states contributing to the Allied victory are not considered Allied states...
in the Psychological Warfare Division
Psychological Warfare Division
The Psychological Warfare Division of SHAEF was a joint Anglo-American organisation set-up in World War II tasked with conducting principally 'white' tactical psychological warfare against German troops in North-west Europe during and after D-Day. It was headed by US Brigadier-General Robert A...
and the United States Information Service. On the advice of King Umberto II
Umberto II of Italy
Umberto II, occasionally anglicized as Humbert II was the last King of Italy for slightly over a month, from 9 May 1946 to 12 June 1946. He was nicknamed the King of May -Biography:...
Prince Nicholas and his family left Italy for Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
in 1946. While living in Egypt he was involved in the purchasing and sale of Turkish tobacco
Turkish tobacco
Turkish tobacco or Oriental tobacco is a highly aromatic, small-leafed variety of tobacco which is sun-cured. Historically, it was cultivated primarily in Thrace and Macedonia, now divided among Greece, Bulgaria, the Republic of Macedonia, and Turkey, but it is now also grown on the Black Sea...
as well as finding work in an Insurance
Insurance
In law and economics, insurance is a form of risk management primarily used to hedge against the risk of a contingent, uncertain loss. Insurance is defined as the equitable transfer of the risk of a loss, from one entity to another, in exchange for payment. An insurer is a company selling the...
company.
Returning to Europe in 1950 Prince Nicholas worked in Rome for the Austin Motor Company
Austin Motor Company
The Austin Motor Company was a British manufacturer of automobiles. The company was founded in 1905 and merged in 1952 into the British Motor Corporation Ltd. The marque Austin was used until 1987...
until 1954. Following the death of his brother-in-law he took over the management of his wife's property and business in Tuscany. The business was a large farm which he managed for 25 years from 1955 to 1980 where he bred Chianina
Chianina
The Chianina is an Italian breed of cattle, formerly principally a draught breed, now raised mainly for beef. It is the largest and one of the oldest cattle breeds in the world...
cattle and produced wine
Wine
Wine is an alcoholic beverage, made of fermented fruit juice, usually from grapes. The natural chemical balance of grapes lets them ferment without the addition of sugars, acids, enzymes, or other nutrients. Grape wine is produced by fermenting crushed grapes using various types of yeast. Yeast...
. He sold the farm in 1982 and moved to Rougemont, Switzerland
Rougemont, Switzerland
Rougemont is a municipality in the Pays-d'Enhaut of the canton of Vaud in Switzerland.-History:Rougemont is first mentioned in 1115 as Rubeus Mons and Rogemot. The name of the village also appears in various forms in medieval chronicles: Rubeimontis, Rogemont, Rubeo monte, Rogo mons, and Rojomont...
. A refugee
Refugee
A refugee is a person who outside her country of origin or habitual residence because she has suffered persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or because she is a member of a persecuted 'social group'. Such a person may be referred to as an 'asylum seeker' until...
from birth Prince Nicholas was a stateless person and used to travel abroad on a letter issued by the King of Greece. He finally became a citizen of Italy in 1988. Prince Nicholas visited Russia for the first time in June 1992 when he acted as a second tour guide
Tour guide
A tour guide provides assistance, information and cultural, historical and contemporary heritage interpretation to people on organized tours, individual clients, educational establishments, at religious and historical sites, museums, and at venues of other significant interest...
for a group of businessmen. He often appears in the media to talk about the Romanovs, giving over 100 television interviews, and appearing in television documentaries such as the 2003 Danish documentary "En Kongelig familie" and the 2007 France 3
France 3
France 3 is the second largest French public television channel and part of the France Télévisions group, which also includes France 2, France 4, France 5, and France Ô....
produced documentary called "Un nom en héritage, les Romanov". In 1999 a documentary on his life was produced by the Russian television channel NTV.
Romanov Family Association
His father Roman Petrovich came up with the idea of a family association for the Romanovs in the mid 1970s. After looking through the papers of his father who died in 1978 Nicholas found that everything was in place for its creation. He then wrote to all the members of the Romanov family who had been in communication with his father and it was agreed that a family association should be created. So a year later in 1979 the Romanov Family AssociationRomanov Family Association
The Romanov Family Association, Obyedineniye Chlenov Roda Romanovykh , is an organization for male-line descendants of Emperor Paul I of Russia...
was officially formed with Prince Dmitri Alexandrovich
Prince Dmitri Alexandrovich of Russia
Prince Dmitri Alexandrovich of Russia was a son of Grand Duke Alexander Mikhailovich of Russia and Grand Duchess Xenia Alexandrovna of Russia. He was a nephew of Tsar Nicholas II of Russia.-Russian prince:...
as president and Nicholas as vice president. When Vasili Alexandrovich
Prince Vasili Alexandrovich of Russia
Prince Vasili Alexandrovich of Russia was a son of Grand Duke Alexander Mikhailovich of Russia and Grand Duchess Xenia Alexandrovna of Russia...
became president in 1980 Nicholas remained vice president.
In 1989 following the death of Vasili Alexandrovich, Prince Nicholas was elected as the new president of the Romanov Family Association. The Association presently has as members the majority of the male-line descendants of Emperor Nicholas I of Russia
Nicholas I of Russia
Nicholas I , was the Emperor of Russia from 1825 until 1855, known as one of the most reactionary of the Russian monarchs. On the eve of his death, the Russian Empire reached its historical zenith spanning over 20 million square kilometers...
though Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna has never joined and neither did her late father Grand Duke Vladimir Cyrillovich.
Succession claims
The official position of the Romanov Family Association is that the rights of the family to the Russian Throne were extinguished when Emperor Nicholas IINicholas II of Russia
Nicholas II was the last Emperor of Russia, Grand Prince of Finland, and titular King of Poland. His official short title was Nicholas II, Emperor and Autocrat of All the Russias and he is known as Saint Nicholas the Passion-Bearer by the Russian Orthodox Church.Nicholas II ruled from 1894 until...
abdicated for himself and for his son Tsaravich Alexi in favour of his brother Grand Duke Michael Alexandrovich
Grand Duke Michael Alexandrovich of Russia
Grand Duke Michael Alexandrovich of Russia was the youngest son of Emperor Alexander III of Russia.At the time of his birth, his paternal grandfather was still the reigning Emperor of All the Russias. Michael was fourth-in-line to the throne following his father and elder brothers Nicholas and...
who then deferred ascending the Throne until a Constituent Assembly ratified his rule. Emperor Michael II, as he was legally pronounced by Nicholas II, did not abdicate but empowered the Provisional Government
Provisional government
A provisional government is an emergency or interim government set up when a political void has been created by the collapse of a very large government. The early provisional governments were created to prepare for the return of royal rule...
to rule. Michael's "reign" was ended with his execution in 1918.
Prince Nicholas considers that following the death of Grand Duke Vladimir Cyrillovich in 1992 that he is now head of the House of Romanov and his rightful successor. On the basis that Vladimir Cyrillovich was the last male dynast and all other Romanovs are excluded due to their parents' unequal marriages, Vladimir's daughter Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna also put forward a claim to the headship of the imperial house on her father's death. With the exception of Grand Duchess Maria, Prince Nicholas is recognized by the rest of the family as head of the Imperial House. However, the final edition of the Almanach de Gotha published by Justus Perthes
Justus Perthes
Justus Perthes Publishers in Gotha, Germany was established in 1785. Justus Perthes was Publisher of geographic atlases, ‘’Petermann’s Geographische Mitteilungen’’ and also the Almanach de Gotha,...
, in 1944, stated that the marriage of Nicholas's parents was "not in conformity with the laws of the house" although some previous editions had listed him as a dynastic member of the Imperial House. Prince Nicholas has said regarding unequal marriages in the Imperial Family:
Our parents married commoners. So what? We have married commoners. Again, so what? There was nobody to ask us to renounce our rights, so we married without renouncing them, and we and our children still have rights to the throne of Russia.
Prince Nicholas led the Romanov family at the funeral in St. Petersburg of the last Russian Emperor Nicholas II
Nicholas II of Russia
Nicholas II was the last Emperor of Russia, Grand Prince of Finland, and titular King of Poland. His official short title was Nicholas II, Emperor and Autocrat of All the Russias and he is known as Saint Nicholas the Passion-Bearer by the Russian Orthodox Church.Nicholas II ruled from 1894 until...
and his family in July 1998. As head of the family he was also present at the reburial of the remains of the Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna in Russia in September, 2006. Prince Nicholas and his brother Prince Dmitri had been responsible for lobbying the Danish royal family
Danish Royal Family
The Danish Royal Family includes the Queen of Denmark and her family. All members except the Queen hold the title of Prince/Princess of Denmark with the style of His/Her Royal Highness or His/Her Highness. The Queen is styled Her Majesty. The Queen and her siblings belong to the House of...
and the Russian President Vladimir Putin
Vladimir Putin
Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin served as the second President of the Russian Federation and is the current Prime Minister of Russia, as well as chairman of United Russia and Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Union of Russia and Belarus. He became acting President on 31 December 1999, when...
to allow the transfer of the Dowager Empress’s remains to Russia so they could be buried alongside her husband Emperor Alexander III
Alexander III of Russia
Alexander Alexandrovich Romanov , historically remembered as Alexander III or Alexander the Peacemaker reigned as Emperor of Russia from until his death on .-Disposition:...
.
The Prince is in the line of succession to the British throne through his ancestor Nicholas the First's wife (Charlotte of Prussia, a descendant of George the First).
Marriage and children
In 1950 Prince Nicholas and the Countess Sveva della Gherardesca (born 1930), a member of the Italian della Gherardesca noble family from TuscanyTuscany
Tuscany is a region in Italy. It has an area of about 23,000 square kilometres and a population of about 3.75 million inhabitants. The regional capital is Florence ....
and a direct descendant of Count Ugolino della Gherardesca
Ugolino della Gherardesca
Count Ugolino della Gherardesca , count of Donoratico, was an Italian nobleman, politician and naval commander. He was frequently accused of treason and features prominently in Dante's Divine Comedy.-Biography:...
, met at a party in Rome. They were married in Florence
Florence
Florence is the capital city of the Italian region of Tuscany and of the province of Florence. It is the most populous city in Tuscany, with approximately 370,000 inhabitants, expanding to over 1.5 million in the metropolitan area....
in a civil ceremony
Civil ceremony
A civil registrar ceremony is a non-religious legal marriage ceremony performed by a government official or functionary. In the UK, this person is normally called a registrar...
on 31 December 1951 followed by a religious ceremony on 21 January 1952 in the Russian Cathedral at Cannes
Cannes
Cannes is one of the best-known cities of the French Riviera, a busy tourist destination and host of the annual Cannes Film Festival. It is a Commune of France in the Alpes-Maritimes department....
.
Prince Nicholas and his wife have three daughters:
- Princess Natalia Nikolaevna Romanova (born 1952), married to Giuseppe Consolo (born 1948). Her daughter is the Italian actress Nicoletta RomanoffNicoletta RomanoffNicoletta Romanoff is an Italian television and film actress.-Acting career:Romanoff made her cinematic debut in the 2003 Italian film Remember Me, My Love, directed by Gabriele Muccino. She played the role of Valentina, a teenage girl aggressively pursuing dreams of show business fame. As a film...
. - Princess Elizabeth Nikolaevna Romanova (born 1956), married to Mauro Bonacini (born 1950);
- Princess Tatiana Nikolaevna Romanova (born 1961), married firstly to Giambattista Alessandri (born 1958), then Giancarlo Tirotti (born 1947).
Prince Nicholas and his wife live in Rougemont, Switzerland
Rougemont, Switzerland
Rougemont is a municipality in the Pays-d'Enhaut of the canton of Vaud in Switzerland.-History:Rougemont is first mentioned in 1115 as Rubeus Mons and Rogemot. The name of the village also appears in various forms in medieval chronicles: Rubeimontis, Rogemont, Rubeo monte, Rogo mons, and Rojomont...
, for seven months every year, usually in the winter. During the rest of the year they stay in Italy with their daughters. The prince still uses the Julian calendar
Julian calendar
The Julian calendar began in 45 BC as a reform of the Roman calendar by Julius Caesar. It was chosen after consultation with the astronomer Sosigenes of Alexandria and was probably designed to approximate the tropical year .The Julian calendar has a regular year of 365 days divided into 12 months...
and is fluent in French, Russian, Italian and English. He is also able to read Spanish.
Title and style
- His Highness Prince Nicholas Romanovich of Russia
N.B. Since the Russian Revolution , members of the Imperial family have tended to drop the territorial designation “of Russia” and use the princely title with the surname Romanov. However this title, and even his right to the surname Romanov are disputed by some.