ROMANOV FAMILY: LAST IMPERIAL CHRISTMAS BEFORE THE RUSSIAN REVOLUTION
1916 was the last full year for the Romanovs as the reigning family of Russia. Tsar Nicholas II would abdicate his throne in March of 1917 and the Russian revolution would end life as the Romanov family knew it.
Below, Grand Duchess Olga describes in her diary entry the last Christmas she and her family celebrated as the imperial family of Russia.
During the following year’s Christmas, the Romanov family would find themselves in captivity in cold distant Siberia.
From the 1916 diary of Olga Romanov:
Christmas Day. At 10 ½ with Papa to obednya. Mama and Al. later. Ate all together. Beautiful bright sun, sky, 7 [degrees] of frost. At 2 everyone went to the arena for the Convoy’s Christmas party. All dear ones were there. Looking at them is so soothing. Went for a walk with Papa for a half an hour – after that he and Mama received Kalinin. At 6 we 2 with Mama to our infirmary, a Christmas tree was set up in the drawing room. Everyone except Sokolov were gathered there – Mama gave out gifts to all. Left at 7. Mama received Prince Golytzin. After dinner [I] played, at Papa’s request, religious things [music] and everyone went to Anya’s where Father Grigori’s entire family was present: Paraskovia, Feod[orovna], Mitya , Matryona and Varya. They are leaving for Pokrovskoe on Tuesday. Went to [see] Al.[eksei] and Zhenya. At 11 to bed. Mama doesn’t feel too well, but she is so brave. Save her, Lord.
From The Diary of Olga Romanov: Royal Witness to the Russian Revolution
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