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| This first group of pictures was apparently taken at Tsarskoe Selo in 1913 after a horse racing event. |
A simple picnic for the Romanovs - in this case, mostly the Vladimir branch of the family - might seem a long ways off from our current understanding of the word "simple" or even the word "picnic". And I can't imagine it was all that we might expect of such a gathering in the way of comfort; I don't think military uniforms or corseted gowns and elaborate picture hats are quite what most of us would choose for a relaxing meal all'aperto.
(There may be other people in these pictures who might be identified with a bit of research, but I am so trying to be less self-indulgent with my time....)
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| Left to right: Prince Ioann Konstantinovich; Grand Duke Andrei Vladimirovich; his sister-in-law the Grand Duchess Victoria Feodorovna; two unknown ladies. The Grand Duchess - granddaughter of Queen Victoria, sister of Marie of Roumania, and wife of the eldest Vladimir son - was formerly married to the Grand Duke Ernst Ludwig, brother of the Tsaritsa. She was therefore Alexandra's ex-sister-in-law, an awkward situation that did nothing to aid the strained relationship between the resentful Tsaritsa and the fractious Vladimirichi. |
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| Left to right: Her back to us, in the round hat, Grand Duchess Victoria; Prince Ioann Konstantinovich, smiling; at far right, looking at the camera, Grand Duchess Vladimir. |
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| Left to right: Again, the back of the Grand Duchess Victoria Feodorovna; Grand Duke Andrei Vladimirovich; Prince Ioann Konstantinovich; at far right, Grand Duchess Vladimir. |
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| The Grand Duchess Vladimir with her granddaughters, Princesses Kira and Maria Kirillovna. |
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| Left to right: Princess Nicholas of Greece, daughter of Grand Duchess Vladimir; Grand Duchess Victoria Feodorovna; the latter's mother-in-law, Grand Duchess Vladimir; in the white coat, the Grand Duchess Vladimir's eldest son, Grand Duke Kirill Vladimirovich; Grand Duke Dmitri Pavlovich. |
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| At left, facing the camera, Princess Olga Orlova; Grand Duke Boris Vladimirovich; unknown; Prince Ioann Konstantinovich. |
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| At center, Grand Duke Dmitri Pavlovich; at far right, Prince Ioann Konstantinovich. |
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| The Grand Duchess Victoria Feodorovna - called "Ducky" in the family - and her daughters, Princesses Kira and Maria Kirillovna. |
