⭐ Royal Romance in Saint Petersburg: The Imperial Wedding of Nicholas II and Alexandra Feodorovna

On a crisp autumn day in 1894, the grandeur of Imperial Russia was on full display as the marriage of Nicholas II and Alexandra Feodorovna took place in the majestic Cathedral of Our Lady of Kazan in Saint Petersburg. This union marked a significant moment in the history of the Romanov dynasty, as the young couple, barely out of their teenage years, embarked on a life of royal duties and responsibilities. The grandeur of the occasion was matched only by the grandeur of the city itself, with its ornate palaces, opulent gardens, and the majestic Neva River flowing gently through its heart. As the guests, including European royalty and high-ranking officials, gathered to witness the ceremony, the anticipation was palpable. The Orthodox Church rituals, rich in tradition and symbolism, were about to unfold, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the lives of the newlyweds. The Cathedral of Our Lady of Kazan, with its stunning architecture and ornate decorations, provided a fitting backdrop for this momentous occasion. The marriage of Nicholas II and Alexandra Feodorovna would go on to shape the course of Russian history, leaving an indelible mark on the country's future.

The newlyweds depart Saint Isaac's. Photo (c) Getty Images / Alexander Demianchuk.

Photo (c) Getty Images / Alexander Demianchuk.

Kiss amidst wedded bliss! Photo (c) Getty Images / Alexander Demianchuk.

Today at 12:00pm, Grand Duke George Mikhailovich of Russia and Princess Victoria Romanovna Romanoff were joined in Holy Matrimony during their Russian Orthodox religious marriage at Saint Isaac's Cathedral in Saint Petersburg. Metropolitan Barsanuphius of Saint Petersburg and Ladoga presided over the imperial wedding. The couple were joined by over one thousand guests who wished to partake in the joy of this happy event. This was the first Russian imperial wedding to occur in the country in over a century.

Grand Duchess Maria greets her daughter-in-law Princess Victoria. Photo (c) Getty Images / Olga Maltseva.

Grand Duke George Mikhailovich of Russia, the groom, is the only child of Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna of Russia and Prince Franz-Wilhelm of Prussia (remarried to Nadia Nour). Princess Victoria Romanovna Romanoff (née Rebecca Virginia Bettarini), the bride, is the only child of Ambassador Roberto Bettarini and Carla Virginia Cacciatore. Grand Duke George proposed to Rebecca Bettarini in August 2020; Rebecca had converted to Russian Orthodoxy in July 2020 and taken the name Victoria Romanovna. The couple's engagement was officially announced in January 2021 by the Chancellery of the Russian Imperial House. The civil marriage of George and Victoria took place last Friday on 24 September in Moscow.

Photo (c) Getty Images / Olga Maltseva.

Princess Victoria Romanovna wore a spectacular wedding gown created by New York designer Reema Acre and Russian designer Elina Samarina. The princess wore the Chaumet Lacis tiara for the religious ceremony. Grand Duke George and Princess Victoria exchanged Fabergé wedding bands.

The bride’s attendants. Photo sent to me by a friend and guest at the wedding.

Among others, the bridesmaids of the princess were her cousins, Beatrice and Veronica Scheda.

Some of the royal guests. Photo (c) Getty Images / Olga Maltseva.

The wedding was attended by royals from all over the world. Among them, we can note the following: Crown Prince Leka and Crown Princess Elia of Albania, the Duke and Duchess of Bragança and their son Dom Afonso (Prince of Beira), King Simeon II and Queen Margarita of Bulgaria, Crown Princess Miriam of Bulgaria and her son Prince Boris, King Fuad II of Egypt, Crown Prince Mohamed Ali and Crown Princess Noal Zaher of Egypt, Prince Irakli Bagration-Mukhransky, Prince David and Princess Irina Bagration-Mukhransky of Georgia, Prince Philipp and Princess Isabelle of Liechtenstein, Prince Wenzeslaus of Liechtenstein, Prince Rudolf and Princess Tilsim of Liechtenstein, Princess Désirée of Prussia and Ambassador Juan Carlos Gamarra Skeels, Prince Charles-Philippe d'Orléans (Duke d'Anjou), Prince Emanuele Filiberto of Savoy (Prince of Venice), Prince Aimone and Princess Olga of Savoy (Duke and Duchess of Aosta), Prince Charles-Henri Lobkowicz, Prince Joachim and Princess Yasmine Murat, and Helen Kirby de Bagration (Countess Dvinskaya; the groom's aunt and godmother). Prime Minister Xavier Bettel of Luxembourg was also in attendance.

Grand Duke George and Princess Victoria on the steps of Saint Isaac’s Cathedral. Photo sent to me by a friend and guest at the wedding.

A view of St Isaac's Cathedral during the first imperial wedding in Russia in over a century. Photo (c) Getty Images / Peter Kovalev.

Our congratulations to Grand Duke George and Princess Victoria on this historic day!

[Note: My utmost thanks to a kind friend and guest at the wedding for allowing me to use some of the stunning videos and pictures that they captured!]

As we conclude our journey through the Imperial Wedding of Nicholas II and Alexandra Feodorovna in Saint Petersburg, we are reminded of the grandeur and majesty that defined the Romanov dynasty. The Orthodox Church rituals, rich in tradition and symbolism, played a significant role in the ceremony, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the lives of the newlyweds. The grandeur of the occasion was matched only by the grandeur of the city itself, with its ornate palaces, opulent gardens, and the majestic Neva River flowing gently through its heart.

The Imperial Wedding of Nicholas II and Alexandra Feodorovna serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of the Romanov dynasty, leaving an indelible mark on Russian history. As we reflect on this momentous occasion, we are reminded of the importance of preserving our cultural heritage and the significance of understanding the past. The grandeur of Saint Petersburg, with its stunning architecture and ornate decorations, provides a fitting backdrop for this momentous occasion. We hope that this article has provided a glimpse into the Imperial Wedding and its significance, and we invite you to continue exploring the rich history of Russia and its royal families.