Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Kirill denies rumors of romance

November 11, 1904

An official denial of a romance between Grand Duke Kirill and his first cousin, Princess Victoria Melita of Edinburgh, has been made in St. Petersburg.
Rumors of a relationship between the Grand Duke and the former wife of the Grand Duke of Hesse and By Rhine first surfaced two years ago. The Grand Duke recently returned from the "the seat of war, wounded and his nervous system wrecked by the explosion and sinking of the flagship of Admiral Makaroff," with further news about a romance. Kirill is recovering at his father's estates, and is now expected to travel to Italy. It is understood by this official denial that the Grand Duke was unable to persuade his cousin, Nicholas II, to grant permission for the marriage.
It is also possible that Kirill defy his cousin, and follow the example of Grand Dukes Alexis, Paul and Michael Mikhailovich, and "wed in opposition to the wishes and commands of the emperor."

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