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Auction: 16043 - Autographs, Historical Documents, Ephemera and Postal History
Lot: 132

Documents
Russia
Grand Duchess Xenia Alexandrovna
1939 (3 August) A.L.S. written on paper of Wilderness House, Hampton Court Palace, in Russian to her daughter in law, Elizabeth (wife of Prince Andrew of Russia). The translation reads, "Darling Elsa, Thank you very much for your letter. How quickly everything has changed. It made me feel quite giddy. I had expected to see you here tomorrow but it turns out that everyone has decided to stay by the sea for another month. But I am very pleased for you all that weather-permitting you will at last be able to sit outside and breathe in the sea air, as it really would be too annoying to have gone all the way to the seaside and not to have been able to use one's sunglasses. I imagine that if this happens Andriusha will get better and Baba will be able to spent the holidays with you, but the most important thing is that you are all together.

But what you write about yourself grieves me terribly - what torture to suffer in this way - how long you have already suffered and been tormented - you poor thing! One feels so helpless - knowing that there is nothing that one can do to help. I am amazed by your forbearance and the unbelievable bravery with which you endure it, and with such humility.

I very much hope that I will be able to visit you sometime this moth and that the weather will improve at some point - it has been raining every day and the sun is practically invisible - one just despairs. I have at last made the acquaintance of Mrs Mollison. Fedor brought her here on the third. I liked her very much, apart from being beautiful, she is so feminine, full of charm, and elegant. They both look very happy and content in each other's company.

I enclose £7, one in payment for ... - No need to ask for more money through Volodia - if you need it then I'll send it myself, but I very much hope that you will try to make ends meet with what you have. I embrace you all tenderly. I hope that Mysh will write to me. Koten'ka is still in London. May God preserve you. Mama". With the original envelope registered from East Mosley and addressed to 2 Seaway Cottages, West Beach, Whitstable. Photo

Grand Duchess Xenia Alexandrovna of Russia (1875 – 1960) was the elder daughter and fourth child of Emperor Alexander III of Russia and Empress Maria Feodorovna of Russia (née Princess Dagmar of Denmark) and the sister of Emperor Nicholas II. She married her second cousin Grand Duke Alexander Mikhailovich of Russia, with whom she had seven children. During her brother's reign she recorded in her diary and letters increasing concern about his rule. After the fall of the monarchy in February 1917 she fled Russia, eventually settling in the United Kingdom.

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