July 01, 2008

Tsarevich Alexei


murdered June 17, 1918 

what is it like to grow up with four older sisters? Of course, you have a close-knit family, and the girls adore their little brother. What is more, everyone knows how long your parents waited for a son, how they prayed, consulted with doctors and charlatans, how they went on pilgrimages to holy places. And even now the house is filled with girls – sewing, playing the piano, reading French novels, yet you so badly want to play soldiers with other boys, to run around and be noisy.

What is it like when there is nobody around whom you can treat as an equal? You have an entire squadron of boys your age you can march around in formation in the park at Tsarskoe Selo, you can command them and parade about with them, but they are restrained. They know that you are heir to the throne, so they are bashful with you and their play is stiff and unnatural.


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