teatimeatwinterpalace:Pierre Gilliard | The Grand-Duchesses were charming - the picture of freshness
teatimeatwinterpalace:Pierre Gilliard | The Grand-Duchesses were charming - the picture of freshness and health. It would have been difficult to find four sisters with characters more dissimilar and yet so perfectly blended in an affection which did not exclude personal independence, and, in spite of contrasting temperaments, kept them a most united family. With the initials of their Christian names they had formed a composite Christian name, Otma, and under this common signature they frequently gave their presents or sent letters written by one of them on behalf of all.Count Alexander Grabbe | Tsarevich Aleksei Nikolaievich was an extremely handsome boy. He was svelte, elegant, intelligent, and had unusual presence of mind. He possessed, moreover, other winning qualities : a warm, happy disposition, and a generous nature which made him eager to be of help and enabled him quickly to establish rapport with others. The Imperial family unanimously considered Alexis their favorite, and he responded to his parents’ and sisters’ love with equal tenderness and affection. Baroness Sophie Buxhoveden | From an early age the children came down to luncheon with their parents, even if there were guests present in addition to the members of the Household. […] They were perfectly at ease with their parents, looking upon them, not only as parents, but as delightful companions. When they grew up, they laughed and joked with them, the Empress joining in when the Emperor teased his daughters.Gleb Botkin | The courage and unselfishness they displayed were indeed remarkable. My father marveled at the exhibition of the cheerfulness - so often an assumed one - by which they strove to help and cheer their parents. ‘Every time the Emperor enters the dining room with a sad expression on his face,’ my father told me, ‘The Grand Duchesses push each other with their elbows and whisper: “Papa is sad today. We must cheer him up.” And so they proceed to do. They begin to laugh, to tell fine stories, and, in a few minutes, His Majesty begins to smile. -- source link
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