I came across a painting of (the child) Grand Duchess Olga Nikolaievna and fell in love with it; it is absolutely gorgeous. The painter was a master...what a gifted talent. Grand Duchess Olga was the second daughter of Nicholas I and Alexandra Feodorovna. She was born on August 30, 1822. She was nicknamed Ollie. She was doted upon by her Mama and Papa in a loving and close-knit family. Nicholas and Alexandra were able to create a real home - a happy island in the words of the grand duchess: Along with a very strict upbringing, on the other hand, we were given a lot of freedom. My father demanded strict obedience, but allowed us pleasure inherent in our childhood, which he himself loved to decorate with unexpected surprises. Olga could read and write in three languages (German, French and English). She played the harpsichord and organ but her passion was painting and sculpting. She loved visiting her grandfather, King Frederick William II. Her grandfather loved being surrounded by his Russian granddaughters. Olga recalled how during dinners, he always wanted Maria, Olga and Alexandra to be seated across from him, and how he liked to look at [them] all and enjoy [their] beauty. :) Olga related a conversation with her sister Alexandra: We talked a lot together, especially about the future... Most of it was about our future children (Olga was unable to have children) whom we will love and believe passionately, fill them with respect to all the beautiful and above all to the ancestors and their deeds, and to imbue them with love and devotion to our family. Our future husbands do not take us completely, it was enough that they seemed to us perfect and full of generosity. Olga was regarded as one of the most eligible princesses in Europe. By 1840, Olga decided that there was no need to rush into marriage. She was happy to stay home. Her father told her that she was free to choose whom she liked (VERY unusual for the times). When Prince Frederick William of Hesse-Kassel visited Russia in 1843, Nicholas and Alexandra were hopeful that he might consider marrying 21-year-old Olga. He was introduced to her when he came to Peterhof. Olga seemed to have liked Frederick and enjoyed his company and conversation. However, the next day, Frederick met the 18 year-old Alexandra, and to everyones surprise, fell in love with the younger princess. Realizing that the couple were very much in love with each other, Olga graciously stepped aside in favor of her sister. Frederick William and Alexandra married in January 1844. Alexandra tragically died shortly thereafter (consumption and premature childbirth). She was featured on this site awhile back. Olga was said to have a strong personality and was very much like her father but inherited her mothers femininity and angelic tenderness. She was described as the ideal feminine beauty: tall, slender, blond, with a cameo profile and big blue eyes. The death of Olgas younger sister Alexandra in the summer of 1844 was a devastating blow to the whole family. Olgas grief in the death of her beloved sister inspired her to write her memoirs later in life. Olga married Crown Prince Charles of Wurttemberg. Her reason for selecting him was familial. Among all the ruling families in Germany, Wurttemberg was most closely associated with the Romanovs. Olga was enthusiastically welcomed by the people. The couple settled in Stuttgart. Less than a month after her arrival to her new homeland, Olga was settling herself with great ease, bringing herself closer to her new country and her people: Its comforting to think in a moment of separation that my grandmother was born unforgettably in this land where I was destined to live and where Ekaterina Pavlovna left so many memories. They love their Russian name, and Württemberg connected us by many ties. edited only: source: The Golden Dream of My Youth by Queen Olga of Wurttemberg
Posted on: Fri, 01 Aug 2014 14:28:14 +0000
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