Who is Alice of Hesse? What is this woman famous in history? How was her life? You will find answers to all these questions in our article.
Origin
Alice of Hesse was given the name Victoria Alice Elena Louise Beatrice of Hesse-Darmstadt at birth. Born June 6, 1872 in Germany. The future empress of Russia received this name from the derived names of four representatives of the royal family: mother, also Alice, and four mother's sisters. Her father was the eminent Duke Ludwig IV, her mother - Duchess Alice. The girl became the fourth, youngest daughter of the famous family.
Childhood and youth
Princess Alice of Hesse inherited the hemophilia gene. This disease was transmitted from mother to children in their family is not the first generation. Surprisingly, it manifested itself in its strong pronounced form among men, while women were only its carriers. With this disease, blood coagulation is reduced, which can lead to severe bleeding, both internal and external. The disease did not affect the girl’s health.
Native Hesse in 1878 suffered from an epidemic of diphtheria. She also touched Alice’s family. Her mother and sister May die. After that, the widowed Louis IV decides to send Alice to be raised with her grandmother, realizing that she will not be able to replace her mother. The heiress to the throne spends most of her time in the UK, on the Isle of Wight. Thus, her childhood passed in Balmoral Castle, where her grandmother, Queen Victoria of England, invariably spoiled her. Historians note Victoria’s special tenderness and love for her granddaughter, whom she called “my sun”.
The future Duchess Alice of Hesse was distinguished by modesty and diligence in her studies. The religiousness of the entire dynasty had a great influence on her childhood.
First visit to Russia
At the age of 12, the Grand Duchess of Hesse and the Rhine Alice first visited Russia. In 1884, her older sister Ella became the wife of the Russian prince Sergei Alexandrovich. It was at the wedding celebration that the young lady saw Nicholas II - Tsarevich, son of Emperor Alexander III. It is worth noting that Alice immediately liked him. Then Nicholas was already 16, and she looked with reverence at him, considering the future emperor a more mature and educated man. The 12-year-old modest duchess did not dare to speak with Nicholas once again and left Russia with a faint love for her heart.
Training
The main role in teaching Alice since childhood was played by religion. She sacredly honored all traditions and was quite devout. Perhaps it was the modesty instilled in her that subsequently struck Nicholas II. She showed good zeal for the humanities, was interested in politics, state affairs and international relations. Her passion for religion bordered on mysticism. The girl was fond of studying Theosophy and theology, in which she greatly excelled and subsequently received a Ph.D. in Philosophy from Cambridge University.
Relationship with the future husband Nicholas II and the wedding
In 1889, Alice, the Grand Duchess of Hesse, revisited Petersburg. She was invited here by her sister Ella and her husband. After a long conversation with Nicholas II for 6 weeks in the magnificent apartments of the St. Sergius Palace, she managed to win the heart of the eldest son of the Emperor of Russia. In his notes, already in 1916, Nicholas II would tell that his heart had been drawn to a modest and sweet girl from the first meeting, and already at the second meeting he knew for sure that he would only marry her.
But his choice was not initially approved by eminent parents. He was promised a wedding with Elena Louise Henrietta, the heiress of the Paris Count. This marriage was very beneficial for the emperor. In addition, Nikolai's mother was a native Danish and did not like the Germans. Alice herself, having returned to her grandmother's palace, began to actively study the history of Russia, the language, and communicated with the Orthodox bishop. Queen Victoria, who adored her granddaughter, immediately approved her choice and helped her in every way in mastering a new culture. The elder sister Ella, who had by then adopted Orthodoxy and the name Elizaveta Fedorovna, like her husband, contributed to the correspondence of the lovers. Of course, for the clan of Prince Sergei Alexandrovich, the husband of Alice’s sister, kinship with the imperial family brought many benefits.
Another negative fact for the Romanov family was the well-known ailment of the dynasty of the Dukes of Hesse. Fear of the disease of future heirs cast doubt on the wisdom of choice.
Nicholas II was adamant and persistent, he did not agree to the entreaties of mother Maria Fedorovna. A rather tragic event helped the lovers. Alexander III in 1893 became seriously ill, and the question arose of the urgent engagement of the first heir to the throne. Nicholas went to ask for Alice’s hands on April 2, 1894, and on April 6, an engagement was announced. After the death of Emperor Alexander III, Alice of Hesse adopted the Orthodox faith and received the name of Alexandra Fedorovna. By the way, her husband from an early age called the girl only as Alix - connecting 2 names - Alice and Alexander. The wedding had to be carried out as soon as possible, otherwise the marriage would be illegal, and Alice could not be considered the wife of the new emperor, so less than a week after the funeral of his father, Nicholas II married his beloved wife. Historians note that even their honeymoon passed during the funeral services and mourning, as if predicting the difficult fate of the Romanov dynasty.
Government Responsibilities and Political Activities
Alisa Gessenskaya Aleksandra Fedorovna was forced to very quickly learn in a new country, get used to the new culture. Researchers note that, perhaps, a sharp change in the situation so strongly influenced the formation of the personality of Alexandra Fedorovna. Modest and reserved, she abruptly became a proud, suspicious and domineering person. The empress became the leader of several military regiments, including outside the empire.
She also actively engaged in charity work. Under her leadership, organizations such as shelters, hospitals, care homes, and community organizations flourished. She learned medical affairs and personally assisted in operations.
The environment of Alexandra Fedorovna
The first unpleasant incident related to the deception in the life of Alice of Hesse, the wife of Nicholas II, was due to the fact that she could not give birth to a son to her beloved husband. Since she was raised from birth as the future wife of the ruler, she perceived the next born daughter as a curse for sins and a change of faith. Her mysticism was the reason for the appearance in the palace of Philip. This was a charlatan originally from France, who managed to assure the empress that he was able to magically help her give her husband an heir. Philip even managed to convince Alexandra Feodorovna that she was pregnant, and to remain at the palace for several months. Through the queen, he very strongly influenced the emperor himself. They managed to expel him only after the verdict of the doctors about the “false pregnancy”.
Friends in the life of Alexandra Fedorovna were court maids of honor. Among them, she especially distinguished Princess Baryatinsky, Baroness Buksgevden and Countess Gendrikova, who was affectionately called Nastenka. The Empress led a close friendship with Anna Vyrubova for a long time. It was with the help of this lady that Alice of Hesse, the wife of Nicholas II, met Grigory Rasputin, who subsequently greatly influenced the fate of the empire.
Among the subjects of the German Duchess, it was not possible to achieve love and devotion. Alexandra Fedorovna was dismissive of those around her; rarely, one could hear praise or an affectionate word from her.
The long-awaited heir to the throne
After the birth of four daughters - Olga, Tatyana, Maria and Anastasia - the imperial couple were already desperate to acquire the heir to the throne. But a miracle happened, and in 1904 a long-awaited son appeared, named Alexey. Fortunately there was no limit, only the hemophilia gene nevertheless affected the boy’s health. Rasputin, who appeared at that moment at the court, helped him cope with the disease, since traditional medicine did not give positive results. It was this fact that made Gregory close to the royal family.
