Secret "Happiness" of the Grand Duchess Olga: About whom the eldest daughter of Nicholas II wrote in her diaries
Secret "Happiness" of the Grand Duchess Olga: About whom the eldest daughter of Nicholas II wrote in her diaries

Video: Secret "Happiness" of the Grand Duchess Olga: About whom the eldest daughter of Nicholas II wrote in her diaries

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The diary of Grand Duchess Olga Nikolaevna became the object of research by historians
The diary of Grand Duchess Olga Nikolaevna became the object of research by historians

“I saw my beloved S…”, “It’s empty without him…”, “S didn’t see and it’s sad” - these phrases from the personal diary of Grand Duchess Olga, daughter of Nicholas II, may never be deciphered with absolute accuracy. Knowing the habits of the royal family, in which affectionate nicknames were used, the researchers are convinced that under "S." the words "sun", "happiness" or "treasure" are hidden. But who was this person who managed to win the heart of the Grand Duchess? Crimean scientists have a completely reliable version on this score.

For a long time, the diaries of members of the royal family were not available to a wide range of readers, despite the fact that they do not contain any secret information. However, for a thoughtful researcher, such records can be of great interest, as they allow a better understanding of the lives of these people. Notes dedicated to the mysterious "S." appear in Olga Nikolaevna's diary since 1911. Researchers of the texts immediately came to the unanimous opinion that under this letter is encrypted not a personal name or surname, but some kind of neuter epithet. Whom did the first girl of the Russian Empire secretly call her "Happiness"? Crimean researcher Marina Zemlyanichenko did a great job to find out.

Grand Duchess Olga Nikolaevna, 1914
Grand Duchess Olga Nikolaevna, 1914

It is known that, since 1906, the family of the last Russian emperor regularly and for a long time lived on the yacht "Standart". This comfortable and spacious vessel for a long time became, in fact, a floating home for the imperial couple and their children. The yacht was used for recreation in the Finnish skerries, trips to the Crimea and for official diplomatic receptions. All authors of the memoirs unanimously talk about the special attitude of the Romanov family to this ship. Life on it was different from the rather closed "palace" routine. The children enjoyed greater freedom here, and everyone noticed that when boarding the royal schooner, Empress Alexandra Feodorovna always began to smile.

Yacht "Standart"
Yacht "Standart"
Empress Alexandra Feodorovna with her daughters on board the yacht "Standart", 1910
Empress Alexandra Feodorovna with her daughters on board the yacht "Standart", 1910

The members of the royal family established friendly relations with the officers of the "Standart". Alexandra Fyodorovna, together with the older princesses, sometimes visited the wheelhouse, feeding the watchmen with sweets. Tsarevich Alexei became so friends with the sailors that he even learned to play the balalaika from them. Therefore, the researchers suggested that one of the officers of the royal yacht could have caused the heart inclination of the young and romantic princess.

Grand Duchesses with cabin boys of the yacht "Standart"
Grand Duchesses with cabin boys of the yacht "Standart"

Comparing the dates of the entries from the diary about the meetings with the mysterious "S." and data from Shtandart's logbooks and camera-fourier logs did find one person suitable for this role. Researchers believe that Grand Duchess Olga dedicated her notes to 25-year-old midshipman (later - lieutenant) Pavel Alekseevich Voronov.

Grand Duchess Olga and Pavel Alekseevich Voronov
Grand Duchess Olga and Pavel Alekseevich Voronov

The fact is that the young military had a reputation as a hero - shortly before his appointment to the "Shtandart", while still a midshipman, he became a participant in the tragic Messinian earthquake. Helping Russian sailors to the residents of the affected Sicilian cities was a real feat. Risking their lives, they pulled people from under the rubble and repulsed the attacks of marauders. It is possible that participation in these events aroused great sincere interest among the royal passengers. It is known for sure that after a while Pavel Voronov became a real friend of the Romanov family. He was a participant in almost all mountain walks and holidays. The emperor often chose him as a lawn tennis partner. The princess's diary entries show how a little affection gradually grows into something more.

Grand Duchesses and P. A. Voronov
Grand Duchesses and P. A. Voronov
Lieutenant Pavel Voronov and Grand Duchess Olga Nikolaevna on the yacht "Standart". 1913 g
Lieutenant Pavel Voronov and Grand Duchess Olga Nikolaevna on the yacht "Standart". 1913 g

If the assumptions of the Crimean researchers are correct, then this story is actually one of the saddest pages in the short life of the emperor's eldest daughter. On February 7, 1914, Pavel Voronov's wedding took place with another Olga, the maid of honor Olga Kleinmichel. She would later write about this event in her memoirs:

This is how, with the highest blessing, Pavel Voronov found a life companion with whom he will safely overcome all the hardships of the subsequent turbulent events in Russia. After emigrating to Istanbul after the civil war and then to America, he lived a long life and died at the age of 78. On his grave there is an icon with the face of the Holy Martyr and Passion-bearer Princess Olga.

Olga, Emperor Nicholas II, Pavel Voronov and his friend
Olga, Emperor Nicholas II, Pavel Voronov and his friend

You can touch the life of the royal family of the Romanovs by considering unique photographs from the everyday life of Emperor Nicholas II.

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