#grand duchess tatiana

Olga Nikolaevna and Tatiana Nikolaevna’s diary entries for 8th/21st February 1913

“Had lessons. About 8 degrees below. Had breakfast with Papa, Mama (she also sat) and Uncle Georgi. In the afternoon skied down the hill by the white tower with Papa. Mama and Anya were there too. In the evening we 2 and Papa went to [see] an opera - Lohengrin: Sobinov, Golska, Cherkasskaya, etc. So beautiful – we saw it for the first time. Aunt Olga was there – the darling. Came home around 1 in the morning. Mama was tired.”

- Olga’s diary

“Had lessons in the morning. Had breakfast [we] four with Mama, Papa and U.[ncle] Georgi. In the afternoon skied down the hill. Mama and Alexei were there too. Had tea with Trina. Had a French lessons, and then Papa, Olga and I went to the theater. The opera, Lohengrin. Wonderfully nice, and I liked it a lot. Golska sang. Returned at 12 ¾. Went to bed.”

- Tatiana’s diary

Tatiana Nikolaevna, February 1916

“My dear darling Papa,

My Voznesentzy telegraphed that they saw You. I am terribly pleased for them and regret that I was not there too. Yesterday afternoon, they had a small concert at Anya’s infirmary, we five went to see it. We and the soldiers liked it tremendously. Delazari was there and told us a lot of funny things. Later they played the guitar and sand. Very nice. Nikolai Nikolaevich Rodionov was also there. He leaves today. How is Kedrov? Did you get used to him and he to you? And what is Mordvinov doing? These days it is cold, five or more degrees below. 

Yesterday we received the [new] cadets coming into our regiments, from the Nikolaevsky Cavalry School. I had two: Viranovsky and Budim-Levkovich. I do not know if the former is a relative of our Crimean, but he said that his father was in the 8th corps, where is he do you know? Everything is the same, nothing new. [it is] lonesome without you. The only thing Maria does is talk. During breakfast, after, during rides. In short, whenever we are [with her], and there is no way to stop her. I am sitting in the classroom now before the lesson. Sitting across from me is P.V.P. and daydreaming. At time, [he] says something, but I don’t even hear him and don’t respond, as I am writing. Well, goodbye. May God bless You. I embrace you firmly and gently.

Your Voznesenetz.”

- Tatiana to Nicholas II, 1st/14th February 1916

“My dear darling Papa,

Today a poor Scout of the 10th Battalion is having surgery. He has a very badly shattered leg, and they fear that he may have tetanus because his friend, with whom he was [sharing a room], had serious tetanus, and they think that he had already died. I hope very much that he will have nothing. Later today I will have a meeting in town. So horribly boring to go there. We very much rejoiced that Erzurum was taken, the wounded were all very happy about it. 

Do You walk a lot? And where - in the country or around here somewhere? Mama’s cheek is better, thank God, and the swelling is almost completely gone. I often recall the evenings when we sat with Mama, about ‘Olive, ect.’ Such a pity that it’s all over. I wish it would continue. Are you reading something now? Well, goodbye, Papa darling. May God bless You. I embrace you firmly and kiss you, as [much as I] love [you]. Your Voznesenetz.”

- 5th/18th February

Olga Nikolaevna and Tatiana Nikolaevna’s diary entries for 3rd/16th February 1913

“Went to Obednya at 10 ½, stayed in the chapel. Papa went to the 2nd Artillery Calvarly Regiment parade. Had breakfast with Mama. After that she played the piano for a while and sat on the balcony, but she is not feeling well because of yesterday. Skied down the hill with Papa. Cinematograph at 4 ½, Dmitri, Vasia and Rostislav came over. We 4 went the see the ballet ‘The Pharaoh’s Daughter’ with Papa. Pavlova danced. Aunt Olga was also there. Returned at about 1 in the morning. May the Lord save us.”

- Olga’s diary

“In the morning [we] four went to the regimental church. Saw the officers today after all, coming out of Anya’s at 12 ½. Had breakfast [we] four with Mama. In the afternoon skied with Papa. Alexei sat in a chair and watched. Had tea upstairs, with three of Aunt Ksenia’s youngest children. Then [watched] a cinematograph. Obednya at the regimental [church] and went to the theatre [we] 4 with Papa. They performed ballet ‘The Pharaoh’s Daughter,’ it was really lovely. Saw Sashla at the theatre, Zoya, Sasha. Returned at at 12 ¾.”

- Tatiana’s diary

“Had a lesson in the morning. Went to the infirmary. Helped Nurse Kolzanova lay out instruments. Mama came at 11 o’clock, [for] Troitzky’s hernia surgery. Handed the materials and sutures [while] Olga set them up with Kolzanova. Then bandaged Kiyanov of the 96th Omsk Regiment, Gumanyuk and Yagmin’s left leg. Returned home at 1.30. Breakfast with Mama, the Count and Emma Fredericksz. The four of us went sleighing. Went to the Grand Palace. Had tea upstairs. Had a lesson. Had dinner with Mama, then [we] three went to the infirmary. Sat a little with Anya, then looked at the album with Nizhegorodtzy. Zeleny is in their ward, of Mama’s 21st Infantry Regiment. Returned at 10.30. Papa is in Sevastopol was on the ‘Evstafiya’ and ‘Kaghul,’ inspected the new recruits.”

- Tatiana Nikolaevna’s diary, 29th January/11th February 1915

“Had a lesson. Drove to the infirmary. Bandaged Gordinsky, Sychev and Kusov and Potulov. Then sat with Nizhegorodtzy. Lunch with Mama. [We] 2 with Isa went at 1.20 to Petrograd to Countess Karlova’s house, where she has her ten wounded officers. Then went upstairs to see her grandson and the son of Katya Galitzine. Pushkin boy. Then had tea with her downstairs. Went to charities. Ran into Ivan Melnikov at the entrance. Incredibly beautiful. Had tea upstairs. Had lessons. Went to the infirmary. Visited Anya for a short time, came by to see everyone and sat with Nizhegorodtzy. Terribly Sweet.”

- Tatiana Nikolaevna’s diary, 28th January/10th February 1915

“My dear Rita, darling.  

Thank you very much for the greetings. I got Ksenia’s sweet letter, [she] congratulated me, such a darling. O.P. wrote me a long letter, about her wedding to the Baron. It is sad that everyone from the infirmary could not be there. He also wrote to me and said that he saw Vera Ignatievna at the infirmary. She is [wearing] epaulets, large boots with spurs, did not even ask the Baron how he was doing. So shameful. I did not expect how fast she would change. Although lately she had been very strange. What are you up to? Do you spend your time nicely? Bibi finally wrote, says that Kirilka got ill with appendicitis – poor thing. 

The only warm room [here] in the entire house is Papa’s and our brother’s bathroom, where we sat and had tea today. In the hall it is 5 ¾ [degrees] today – we walk around in our valenki and thick knitted sweaters. We still take walks outside twice a day. Well, goodbye Ritka darling. Write to me – I will be very happy. Tell Zinochka to address her letters directly to us – they will get here faster. May Christ be with you my dear. If Sashurka and N. Ya. are there, give them regards. All the best. 

Tatiana.”

- Tatiana Nikolaevna to Margarita Khitrovo, 23rd January/5th February 1918

Olga and Tatiana Nikolaevna with an officer, 22nd January/4th February 1915

“At 9.30 [we] 4 went with Papa and Mama to church for moleben. At 10 o’clock Papa departed. So sad. [We] two went to the infirmary. Bandaged Krat, Gordinsky, Belitsky, Otmarshteyn and Gumanyuk. Took photographs in each ward. Breakfast and lunch with Mama. Then walked. Sat a little with Alexei, who is in bed as leg and arm ache. Went to the Grand Palace. Had tea with Mama upstairs at Alexei’s. Had lessons. After lunch we went to ours. Sat with Nizhegorodtzy. Put together a puzzle with Navruzov and Vachnadze, then worked. Retuned, sat with Mama.”

- Tatiana’s diary, 22nd January/4th February 1915

“In the morning [we] four with Papa and Aunt Olga went to obednya at the lower regimental church. Father Alexander Vasiliev did the service, [he is] our teacher. Towards the end of obednya was moleben. Returned home, had breakfast together and also [with] Aunt Ksenia and Irina. Mama is in her [room] as she has a headache and heartache. In the afternoon [we] four with Papa, Aunt Olga and Irina went out for a walk. A. Ksenia left for home. We walked around our garden to Bablovo, then walked around the lake to the big church and back. A. Olga left for home. Olga, Irina and I sat together and talked. At 4 ½ went downstairs to have tea with Papa and Mama. Stayed downstairs until 6 o’cl. Then went upstairs. Again sat with Irina and pasted in my album, then read. Sat with Mama, Olga and Anya and worked. At 10 o’cl. went to bed.”

- Tatiana Nikolaevna’s diary, 2nd/15th January 1913

Tatiana Nikolaevna, April 1917

“Indeed He Has Risen!

Thank you so much my dear sweet Lili for both your cards. I was so happy to finally get some news from you. How are you? By now I am completely well and take walks with Papa every day, and now we are breaking ice with him. Alexei also goes outside with us. If you write to us, address the letters to the nurses at the Infirmary #3 on the Sadovaya Street, as the letters will get there faster and more certain. Did you get the nurses’ letters through Rita? Is G.[illeg] spending the holidays in Moscow at the sister’s. [illeg]. Have you seen Evgeni Alexandrovich, N.N. and Khv.? How is he doing. It is almost autumn here already [illeg]. A lot of mud and water. Mama was lying down on the balcony a few times and writing to you. [Her] heart still hurts and is tired. Well, all the best to you, my darling. Where is Alexander Nikolaevich? May the Lord keep you. I kiss you affectionately, as always. - And the others kiss you too. Yours, Tatiana.”

- Tatiana to Lili Dehn, 5th/18th April 1917

“Sweet Valentina Ivanovna,

Thank you so much for your letter, was so happy to hear from you. Do you visit the infirmary a lot? And where do Rita, Olga Porf. and Vera Ign. live now? What will they do with our old infirmary now, another hospital - surgical department or infectious diseases? I apologise for so many questions, sweet Valentina Ivanovna, but I’m so curious to know everything that’s happening with you. 

We constantly remember how nice it was to work at the infirmary, and how we all got along. Right? Sometimes I look at the little piece of paper, which you wrote to me about my handwriting, do you remember? Already one change has happened, which we did not expect so soon. It’s funny but still some of the character traits are correct. Well, all the best. I kiss you affectionately, Alushka too. Regards to Lid. Aleks., the nurses, and the wounded. Sister Tatiana.”

- Tatiana to Valentina Ivanovna Chebotareva, 14th/27th April 1917

“Lesson in the morning. Stopped by Znamenie, from there to the infirmary. Surgery, amputated half a soldier’s heel, handed the instruments. Then Pavlov’s surgery. Again made an incision on both feet, because of the dark. And high fever. Both times handed instruments, then bandaged Sedov. Got home at 1.30. Was at the Crimeans’. Breakfast and lunch with Mama. Had a lesson. At 3.30 we 4 went to our infirmary for a concert. Sat near Sedov. He was lying down on the sofa. Smirnov sang, Bellini, also Christopher sang. Lersky spoke, Dolsky. Very funny. A cellist and a violinist played. Preobrazhenskaya danced. Returned at 5.30. It was very nice. Then lessons. In the evening sat with Mama. Ours arrived at Stavka.”

- Tatiana Nikolaevna diary, 1st/14th April 1916

“At 9.45 in the morning we two went to the city with Mama for the consecration of the church at the School of Folk Art. Breakfast at Grandmama’s with Aunt Olga. Later Mama and I went to the church that holds the icon of Skoroposlushnitsa. Very beautiful. Then to the Kazan Cathedral. On the way ran into Levan. Then walked around the warehouse at the Winter Palace. From there went to Aunt Ksenia’s. Sat there for a little bit. Aunt Olga was there too. Then Olga came to get us. Returned at 4.15. Had tea and dinner with Mama. Then we 5 rode together from 7 to 8 o’clock. At 8.45 went to the infirmary. Cleaned instruments with Bibi. Went to see everyone, [stayed] with Sedov for a little bit, then boiled silks with Valentina Ivanovna. Returned at 11 o’clock.”

- Tatiana Nikolaevna’s diary, 31st March/13th April 1916

“Had a lesson. Went to Anya’s to get Mama and Olga. Then went to the infirmary. Karangozov had appendicitis surgery. Then bandaged Kupov. Then went with Mama to the lower infirmary church for panikhida for poor Grabov. He now just lies there, such terrible pity for him. He was from Alexei’s Georgian Regiment. [We] 4 with Mama went into the city. Had breakfast on the train. Went to Maria’s and Anastasia’s commuter infirmary. Then returned. Had tea and lunch with Mama. Had lessons. Officers who were leaving to the front presented themselves to Mama. Krat was there. He is going for the third tie. Iedigarov’s nephew was there too. In the evening sat with Karangozov for a bit, then with Anya.”

- Tatiana Nikolaevna’s diary, 3rd/16th March 1915

“Had a lesson in the morning. Went to the Grand Palace to get Mama and Olga at Grabov’s. Drove to the infirmary. Stayed for a bit with Vachnadze and Navruzov. He now goes to the outpatient [clinic] and lives in Petrograd. Surgery for a lower rank, hernia. Then bandaged Navruzov. Breakfast with Mama and E.A. Naryshkina. In the afternoon went to inspect Mama’s hospital train, then skated with Isa. Went to the Grand Palace. Lessons. Had dinner with Mama. Found out that poor Grabovoy died. Went to Anya’s. Tina-Tina Djordjadze and Olga Voronov were there. Terribly glad to see them, such darlings. Remained until 11 o’clock.”

- Tatiana Nikolaevna’s diary 2nd/15th March 1915

“In the morning temp. 38. Had to stay in bed again. Aunt Olga came over and Anya, Papa too. Temp. 37.3. In the afternoon Irina came to visit me, with her two eldest brothers. They stayed for a few hours; she, Olga and I had tea in my room, while the boys had tea in Alexei’s. Then I read in bed. Had dinner in bed too. Then Papa, Mama and Olga went to a ball at the Nobility House. I was supposed to go but regrettably I couldn’t. Before they left, they came to my [room] to say farewell. At 4 o’cl. temp. 38.2, at 8 o’cl. 38.7.”

- Tatiana Nikolaevna’s diary, 23rd February/7th March 1913

“Had a lesson. Went to the Grand Palace to Grabov. Then with Mama and Olga to the infirmary. Bandaged Andreev of the Semenovsky Guards Regiment, injury in cheek and chest. Then Navruzov. Anisimov of the 27th Siberian Rifle Regiment had surgery, amputated his right foot. I assisted and held the hooks. His left leg was already amputated to the knee. Stayed with Nizhegorodtzy for a little while. Breakfast with Papa, Mama and Uncle Nikolai Mikhailovich. In the afternoon took a walk. Then went to the Grand Palace. Had tea and lunch with Papa and Mama. Had a lesson. Then in the evening went to Anya’s. Worked there and had tea. Returned at 11.30.”

- Tatiana Nikolaevna’s diary, 23rd February/7th March 1915 

“Had lessons in the morning. Had breakfast [we] four with Mama. Papa was in the city. Anastasia and I skied down the hill. Later Papa arrived and skied with us too. Saw Sashka when we were driving to the station. Had tea in the playroom. Had a music lesson. Later went downstairs for a cinematograph. Nikita, Dmitri, Rostislav and Vasya were there with Alexei. Later read. Had dinner with Mama, Papa, Anya, Olga and Sashka. Later he left and we did too, before that, [we] worked.”

- Tatiana Nikolaevna’s diary, 14th/27th February 1913

Emperor Nicholas II with his children: Grand Duchesses Tatiana, Olga, Maria, Anastasia, and Tsarevich Alexei, and with sons of his sister Grand Duchess Xenia: Princes Rostislav, Dmitry, Feodor, and Vasili*, ca.1914.

*I’m not very good with recognizing Xenia’s sons so please let me know if I made a mistake.

Empress Alexandra Feodorovna of Russia with her daughters Grand Duchesses Olga, Tatiana, Maria and Anastasia of Russia, visiting wounded soldiers, 1915-1916.

Grand Duchess Tatiana Nikolaevna Romanov.

Empress Alexandra walking with three of four daughters - Grand Duchesses, Olga, Marie and Tatiana Nikolaevna Romanov. Love Marie’s smile here.

Grand Duchesses Olga and Tatiana Nikolaevna Romanov as toddlers ridding donkeys. 1899.

Tsar Nicholas II with his two eldest daughters Olga & Tatiana Nikolaevna Romanov in Sevastopol, 1911

Tsar Nicholas II, Olga Nikolaevna, Tatiana Nikolaevna, Marie Nikolaevna, Anastasia Nikolaevna and Anna Vyrubova, 18th July 1906 smiling.

Tsarevich Alexei Nikolaevich Romanov pretending to “shoot” his sister Grand Duchess Tatiana Nikolaevna Romanov. 1916.