Russian national colours RA VIC/MAIN/H/47/75
Carington: ‘volunteer will line the whole route from Leith Port’ RA VIC/MAIN/H/47/74
Levee dress will be worn RA VIC/MAIN/H/47/85 (train) departed sharply (from Ferryhill Junction) at 5.50 RA VIC/MAIN/H/47/85
Inspector Baxter: ‘gloves and leggings will be worn’ RA VIC/MAIN/H/47/83
May: ‘a true highland welcome’ RA QM/PRIV/CC24/18
Nicholas O’Connor: ‘I gather that the Emperor is looking forward’ RA VIC/MAIN/H/47/45
Lord Salisbury’s aide: ‘a minimum temperature’ RA VIC/MAIN/H/47/73
Georgie: ‘they were charmed by their visit’ RA GV/PRIV/AA12/51
Reval
Inspector General of the Forces: ‘let me know the approximate dates on which the King will leave for and return’ RA PPTO/PP/EVII/MAIN/C/26220
Alexander Izvolsky: Dress Frock Coat RA PPTO/PP/EVII/MAIN/C/26220
Hugh O’Beirne: ‘The promise has not been kept’ RA PPTO/PP/EVII/MAIN/C/26220
Colonel Arthur Davidson: ‘anything like a wholesale distribution NEVER takes place’ RA PPTO/PP/EVII/MAIN/C/26220
Commodore of the Victoria and Albert: ‘counting on two police inspectors coming’ RA PPTO/PP/EVII/MAIN/C/26220 enamelled spoons for Mrs Knollys RA FandV/VISOV/1908:Reval
Isle of Wight
Herbert Gladstone: ‘Mr Keir Hardie spoke’ RA VIC/MAIN/R/30/60
‘The King CANNOT agree’ RA VIC/MAIN/R/39/60
Herbert Gladstone: ‘in using the word ‘restraint’’ RA VIC/MAIN/R/39/62
Herbert Asquith: ‘an incitement to the assassination of the Tsar’ RA VIC/MAIN/R/30/21
Edward Grey: ‘It is I fear impossible to make any impression upon the extreme men’ RA VIC/MAIN/W/55/50
Resolution of Protest RA PPTO/PP/QV/ADD/PP3/39
Admiral Konstantine Nilov: ‘general indifference to Russian Navy’ RA VIC/MAIN/W55/53
Georgie’s diary: ‘read and rested as I was pretty tired’ RA GV/PRIV/GVD/1909: Aug
May’s diary: ‘the anchor of St Catherine’ RA QM/PRIV/QMD/1909
Georgie’s diary: ‘beautiful night but rather cold’ RA GV/PRIV/GVD/1909
Georgie’s dairy: ‘there was a fair breeze’ RA GV/PRIVE/GVD/1909
fatalism of Tsar RA VIC/MAIN/W/55/53
May’s letter to son Bertie: ‘a beautiful yacht’ RA GVI/PRIV/RF/11/040
Georgie’s diary: ‘lovely day, nice breeze’ RA/GV/PRIV/GVD/1909
Georgie’s diary: ‘drove in motors’ RA GV/PRIV/GVD/1909: Aug
Georgie’s diary: ‘Heavenly day’ RA GV/PRIV/GVD/1909: Aug
May’s letter to son Bertie: ‘left to our GREAT regret’ RA GVI/PRIV/RF 11/040
May’s letter to Aunt Augusta: ‘Nicky and Alix were charming and pleased to be here’ RA QM/PRIV/CC25/39
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Thanks to Charles Spencer, who supplied me with the diaries of the 6th Earl Spencer; Michael Hunter, who showed me round Osborne House and sent cuttings; Dawn and Alex Haig-Thomas, who showed me round Barton Manor; Simon Dear from the Isle of Wight Record Office; Hugo Vickers, who spoke to me about Lord Stamfordham and the Tsarina; Robert Harris, who gave me further information about the Romanovs’ visit to Paris in 1896; Ian Shapiro, who provided photographs, papers and a cigarette case given to a member of the British party by the Tsarina; Charles Gibbes, who allowed me access to Sydney Gibbes’ diaries; the indefatigable Sue Woolmans, who tracked down various papers, including the relevant entries from the Tsar’s diaries; Janet Epps who shared her knowledge of her relation, the tutor John Epps; Maggs Bros, the antiquarian book dealers, who supplied papers about Mr Epps; Carol Graves-Johnston, for introducing me to the work of Prince Andrew Romanoff; Alan Marriott, Editor of the Isle of Wight County Press; Ken Beken of Beken of Cowes Marine Photography; Robert Golden; Anne Springman; Alan Champion; John Groves and Jim Green; Miranda Carter, who came up with the idea; Nicholas Underhill, who read early drafts and offered plenty of good advice; Aurea Carpenter, friendliest and most meticulous of editors; and, of course, my family, Craig, Tallulah and Silas.
INDEX
Illustrations in the index are denoted by italics e.g.
Alexandra, Queen 1, 2, 3
Aberdeenshire Constabulary 1, 2 vigilance 1
Abergeldie Castle 1
Adams-Connor, Chief Constable, Captain, H.G. 1, 2, 3, 4
Commander of the Order of St Stanislaus medal 1
Admiral Makarov (cruiser) 1
Albert Hall 1
Albert, Prince ‘Bertie’ (son of May/George) 1, 2, 3, 4
Albert, Prince ‘Eddie’ (son of Alexandra/Edward) 1 reputation 1
Albert, Prince (husband of Queen Victoria) 1
Alexander II, Tsar 1 death of 1
Alexander III, Tsar 1, 2
description by Queen Victoria 1
Alexander Palace 1
Alexandra, Queen 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 anti-German sentiments 1
compliments Fisher 1
diary 1
Mediterranean cruise 1
donkey riding to Vesuvius 1
mixed feelings regarding Alix 1
rough journey on the Osborne 1
rough journey on the Victoria and Albert 1
Alexandra (yacht) 1, 2
Alexis, Tsarevich 1, 2, 3, 4 appearing at Trinity Wharf 1
fear 1
haemophilia 1 secrecy of 1, 2
illness 1
inflammation of the knee 1
play 1
seasickness 1
visiting the Isle of Wight 1
Alice (niece of Alix) 1, 2 memories of Alix and Nicholas 1
Alice, Princess (mother of Alix) 1, 2
Alix ‘Alicky’, Tsarina 1, 2, 3 arguments with Maria 1
belief in benefits of sick mothers 1
birthday 1
clothing 1, 2
compliments about 1
concern for Alexis 1
cookery skills 1
devastation at Queen Victoria’s death 1
devotion to Germany 1
dislike of Mrs Inman 1
enjoyed cruise on the Britannia 1, 2
entertained by Fisher 1
fondness of Balmoral 1
food preferences 1
Gibbes’s glowing view of 1
godmother 1
good health 1
as hostess 1
illness/sickness Botkin’s treatment for 1
daughters’ concern about 1
fatigue 1
headache 1
malaise 1
nervous of crowds 1
neuralgia 1, 2
positive outlook 1
sciatica 1, 2, 3
treatment 1
jewellery 1
lack of theatrical instinct 1
letter to Madgie 1
letters to Queen Victoria 1, 2, 3
marriage to Nicholas 1, 2
prospects 1
and Nicholas annotates diary 1
bathroom incident 1
courtship 1
engagement 1
letter to 1
marriage 1, 2
sympathy for 1
time at Walton 1
Olga’s baths 1
perceived mental instability 1
photographs 1, 2
pregnancy 1 Anastasia 1
relationship with May 1
religion 1, 2
rivalry with Maria (Dowager Empress) 1
visits Queen Victoria’s deathbed 1
see also Balmoral visit (imperial family); imperial family; Isle of Wight visit (imperial family); Paris visit (imperial family)
Allen, Nicholas 1
Almaz (cruiser) 1, 2
anarchists 1
Anastasia, Grand Duchess 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 appearing at Trinity Wharf 1
smitten with Rasputin 1
Anderson, Anna 1
Anderson, Robert 1, 2
Andrew (son of Olga, Queen of Greece) 1
> Anglo-Russian agreement (1907) 1
Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders 1
Arthur, Duke of Connaught 1, 2, 3, 4
Asquith, Herbert 1, 2, 3, 4 opposes British title award to Nicholas 1
Azev, Evno 1, 2, 3, 4
Bakunin, Mikhail 1, 2
Balfour, Arthur 1, 2, 3 refuses to deal with Bolshevik government 1
Ballater railway station 1
Balmoral Castle drawing room 1
external appearance 1, 2
internal decor 1
lack of creature comforts 1
Prince Albert’s design 1
Balmoral Highlanders 1
Balmoral visit (imperial family) 1, 2 accommodation 1
bazaar 1
departure 1
dinner 1 seating plan 1, 2
final day 1
gifts 1
guard of honour 1
informal concert 1
levee dress 1
lunch 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
motion picture 1
plot against 1
procession 1
security arrangements 1, 2
strolls through Balmoral 1
train route/journey 1, 2 Ballater 1
bombing threat 1, 2
departure 1
welcome from Dundee City
Rifles 1
Barton Manor 1, 2, 3, 4
Baxter, Inspector 1
Beatty, Admiral David 1
Beken, Frank 1, 2 passion for photography 1
Beken, Ken 1, 2
Beken Pharmacy 1
Benckendorff, Count Alexander 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 appearance 1
death 1
discomforted by Russian countrymen 1
impressed by Edward 1
letter to Izvolsky 1
letter to the Mayor of Newport 1
misgivings about Nicholas 1
sadness at Edward’s death 1
Benson, A.C. 1
Benson, E.F. 1
Benzies (jewellers) 1
Berlitz School 1
Bertie see Edward VII ‘Bertie’, King
Bigge, Lady 1
Bigge, Sir Arthur 1, 2, 3 see also Stamfordham, Lord
Bignell, Inspector 1
Billot, Jean Baptiste 1
Bloody Sunday 1, 2
Boer War 1
Bolsheviks Congress (1905) 1
introduction of Gregorian calendar 1
seizure of power 1
see also Lenin, Vladimir Ilyich; October Revolution
Botkin, Dr. Eugene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 cologne 1
fatalism of Nicholas 1
murder of 1
travelling with imperial family 1, 2
treating Alix’s illness 1
Bourbon Palace 1
Bradford, Sir Edward 1
Braemar 1
Britain Dogger Bank incident 1
offers asylum to imperial family 1 opposition to 1
withdraws 1, 2, 3
relations with Russia Anglo-Russian agreement (1907) 1
entente 1
during First World War 1
republican rallies 1–1
Britannia (racing cutter) 1, 2, 3 imperial family cruise 1
British Library 1
British Museum 1, 2
British Naval Fleet 1, 2 disappearance 1
Brotherton Church 1
Brown, Mr (Queen Victoria’s companion) 1
Buchanan, Sir George 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Bukhsh, Mohammed 1
Bulstrodes 1
Burtsev, Vladimir 1, 2, 3, 4
Buxhoeveden, Sophie 1
Caesar (Edward’s dog) 1
Cameo Corner 1
Campbell, Dr. Colin 1
Carington, Hon William 1, 2 exasperation with Russian
attaché 1
notes to Bigge 1, 2
telegram to Queen Victoria 1
Carisbrooke, Marquis of 1
Carrington, Charles 1
Cassel, Ernest 1
Castle of Braemar 1
Catherinental Palace 1
Chagin, Admiral 1
Champs-Elysées 1
Chartist movement 1
Cheka 1
Church of England Men’s Society 1
Citizens of Rochdale and Ramsbottom Weavers, Winders and Warpers Association 1
City of London 1
Clarendon, Lord 1, 2
Connaught, Duchess of 1
Corporation of Portsmouth 1
Coster, Misses (nannies) 1, 2
Cowes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Post Office 1
Cowes and East District Council 1
Craithie Kirk 1
Crathie and Ballater Volunteers 1
Crimean War 1
Crown and Woolpack pub 1
The Daily Telegraph 1, 2
Dantzig (cottage) 1, 2
David (son of May/George) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 greeting the imperial family 1
playing with Olga 1
preference for Tatiana 1
recalls meeting Nicholas 1
Davidson, Sir Colonel Arthur 1, 2, 3
Derevenko, Andrei 1, 2
Derevenko, Dr. Vladimir 1
Disraeli, Benjamin 1
Dmitri, Prince (nephew of Nicholas) 1, 2, 3
Dogger Bank incident 1, 2
Downey, W. and D. 1, 2
Dreadnoughts 1
Dreyfus case 1
Dundee City Rifles 1
Dundee railway station 1
dynamite conspiracy 1
Eager, Margaretta (nanny) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
East Cowes 1 councillors 1
Edward VII ‘Bertie’, King 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 aide-memoirs to speeches 1
anger at Gladstone 1
awarded Russian title 1
comfort at sea 1, 2
death 1 tributes to 1
declines invitation to Russia 1
diplomacy skills 1
greeting the imperial family 1
invitation to Izvolsky 1
Mediterranean cruise 1
meeting with Stolypin 1, 2
and Nicholas disparaging of 1
feelings about 1
relationship with 1
opposed to Russian financial
loan 1
photographs 1, 2
questions Nicolson on Russian
culture 1
at Reval meeting 1
Russian uniform 1, 2, 3 disparaging comments about 1
tightness of 1
‘Tum Tum’ nickname 1, 2 weight problem 1
view on Boer War 1
visit to Russia 1
welcome from the imperial
family 1
welcoming the imperial family 1, 2
see also Prince of Wales, Bertie;
Reval meeting, Edward (King)
Egypt 1
Eiffel Tower 1
Ekaterinburg 1
Elizabeth II, Queen 1
Elizabeth, Princess 1
Ella (sister of Alix) 1
Elm Grove 1, 2
Ena of Battenberg 1
Epps, Janet 1, 2
Epps, John 1, 2 background 1
challenges of teaching Grand
Duchesses 1
dismissal 1 acceptance of 1
Gibbes’s criticism of 1
gift from Olga 1
previous teaching position 1
Ermak (ice breaker) 1
Errnie (brother of Aiix) 1
Eschappar, Monsieur Dubreuil 1
Eugenie, Empress 1, 2 distinguished visitors 1
exile 1
meeting Alix and Nicholas 1
Evening Post 1, 2
Explosive Workers 1
Fall of Sevastopol 1
Feodorovna, Alexandra see Alix ‘Alicky’, Tsarina
Feodorovna, Maria see Marie, Dowager Empress
Ferdinand, Franz 1
Ferryhill Junction 1
First World War 1 exchange of letters between Nicholas and George 1
Fisher, Admiral, Sir John (Jackie) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 admiration of British Naval
Fleet 1
considered troublesome at
Reval 1
dancing 1
flirtation with Olga (sister of Nicholas) 1, 2 letter from 1
verdict on Reval 1
view of British cabinet 1
Fisher’s Face (Morris) 1
France 1, 2
Francklin, Elizabeth ‘Nana’ 1 British soldiers bathing 1
English teas 1
friendship with Orchie 1
Fredericks, Count Vladimir 1, 2, 3
Freedom 1
Frogmore Cottage 1
Galitzine, D. 1
Gallaway, Mr (policeman) 1
Galloway, J.H. 1
Gardiner, General Lynedoch 1, 2, 3
Gargarin, Yuri 1
Gargarina, Yelena 1, 2
George V ‘Georgie’, King 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 biography of 1
compliments Russian troops 1
diary 1, 2 dinner on the Standart 1
dinner with Nicholas 1
father’s speech 1
imperial family coming
ashore 1
lunch 1
visit from the imperial family 1
weather 1
distaste for Nicholas’s French
visit 1
entertains Xenia 1
fear of uprising 1
funeral rituals 1
greeting the imperial family 1
The Imperial Tea Party Page 20
