ROMANOV FAMILY: “THE FAMOUS” ALEXANDER PALACE BALCONY
The Alexander Palace balcony was an addition made by the last imperial family: Tsar Nicholas II and Empress Alexandra, in 1896. The balcony, which was to give Alexandra the opportunity to go outdoors without leaving the palace. It was completely wired for electricity during the First World War, in 1915. Rain or shine, summer or winter, the Romanov family enjoyed tea time, meals and general leisure time on this balcony. Every Romanov family member mentioned “the balcony” in their diaries or correspondence. Numerous photographs were posed for on the balcony as well (see below).
From the letters and diaries of Olga Romanov:
“The weather is overcast and cool. Mama is still lying down on the balcony.”
“Mama sat on the balcony.”
“Mama and Anya are on the balcony.”
“I am sitting with Mama on the balcony after breakfast. Isa just came out and sat in the armchair which I planned [to use] myself.”
“Here on the balcony it got very cozy ever since Mama acquired the new wicker furniture made by the invalids, and the two lamps stay lit.”
“During the day ate on the balcony with A., M. and T… Until 10 o’cl. sat on the balcony – raining heavily…”
“Had dinner on the balcony…”; “Sat on the balcony with Mama and wrote telegrams. Very warm – 14 deg… Sat on the balcony with T., Aunt Olga, Mavra, Ioannchik and Elena.”
“Breakfast on the balcony with Nikolai Pavlovich, marvelous weather.”
“We are sitting on the balcony having tea. The weather is exceptionally nice… “
“Today is the anniversary of the famous balcony.” (entry from 11th August, 1916).
From the book:
The Diary of Olga Romanov: Royal Witness to the Russian Revolution
Leave a comment