Olga Nikolaevna Romanova: how the Grand Duchess grew up

Olga, the first child of Emperor Nicholas II and Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, was born in Tsarskoye Selo on November 15, 1895 (November 3, old style).

The empress, who was 23 years old at the time, had a challenging and drawn-out first birth. The infant had to be "literally pulled with forceps," according to the emperor’s sister, after intense contractions that lasted for nearly a day.

The pathological nature of the birth was caused by the lumbosacral pain that afflicted Alix, as Nicholas II called his wife. Furthermore, the baby was big at birth—10 pounds, or more than 4 kilograms—was delivered. Attending the birth was Professor Dmitry Oskarovich Ott, the foremost expert in obstetrics and gynecology at the time who oversaw the Empress’s pregnancy.

The Tsar was extremely proud of the Empress for breastfeeding her daughter in defiance of tradition. At the age of eleven days, the girl was baptized in Tsarskoye Selo’s Great Church of the Catherine Palace. The family relocated to the Winter Palace when the infant was one and a half months old and her mother had recovered from giving birth.

Grand Duke Konstantin Konstantinovich claims that the poem "Eugene Onegin" is the source of the names of Olga and her sister Tatyana, who was born less than two years later.

The sisters were referred to as the "big couple," while Maria and Anastasia were considered the "small couple." Despite having different temperaments, they were very close and shared a room.

Love for God and family

Alexandra Feodorovna gave her children’s religious education a lot of thought. According to her notes:

"Mothers’ love embodies God’s love, so children first experience God via their mothers’ love." The best gift parents can give their children is a religious education. After all, the basis of a morally sound personality is the spiritual core.

The empress defined a Christian home as a place of prayer, warmth, and compassion. Nicholas II raised the eldest Olga and the other children with Christian virtue, love for family, obedience, modesty, respect for parents, and a strong sense of national pride.

The empress thought that she was the only one who could teach children these virtues through her own example:

"Parents should model their behavior for their children, not just verbally but also in actions. They ought to set a good example for their kids by living it.

When Olga first read the book "Alice in Wonderland," the young reader questioned whether queens could act in such a crude manner. Ultimately, the kids were instructed to act appropriately toward everyone, irrespective of their status or place of birth.

The mother clarified that many people were observing their behavior and that they were obligated by their position to care for others. Even though they were servants, the kids learned to respect their elders, not to interrupt, and to let others go before themselves.

Spartan upbringing and hard work

There was no separate room for Olga or her sisters. Tatyana lived with the girl. The sisters slept on makeshift camp beds with thin blankets covering them even in the winter and almost no pillows. They could take a warm bath in the evening before turning in for the night, after taking a cold one in the morning. The girls all had nice, matching outfits. Olga the eldest gave her dresses to her younger sisters. She was fortunate in this sense since she wore new clothes more frequently than not.

The royal daughters did not receive an abundance of jewelry. When Olga was twelve years old, she got her first gold jewelry. This bracelet was customary. At this age, each girl in the royal family got one.

When Olga was six years old, governess Alexandra Tegleva made her appearance in the home. She was chosen by the Empress herself from among the Smolny Institute alums. In addition, Shura—as she was known in the family—carried out nanny duties. She took the kids on walks, fed and bathed them, and made sure they went to bed and woke up on time.

The kids were not permitted to idle away their time by the Empress. They were always working on something.

Olga was either reading, writing, or doing needlework if she wasn’t studying or practicing music.

Her activities included walks, games when she was younger, and sports (tennis, swimming, horseback riding). Daughter Alexandra Feodorovna was taught to do even the most disliked chores with soul, diligence, and thoroughness. The kids were also aware of their duties around the house.

Don"t hide from life

It would have been so simple to envelop the emperor’s children in luxury and shield them from the anxieties and tragedies of everyday life! The Empress figured out:

"It is the responsibility of parents to prepare their children for life and for any adversities that life may bring."

Furthermore, the royal family faced difficult tribulations. Olga and her family worked as household helpers, chopped and sawed wood, and planted a vegetable garden in Tsarskoye Selo while incarcerated in Tobolsk and Yekaterinburg. And they never gave up; they kept studying, put on house scenes, and worked on needlework.

The only things Olga and the other daughters were shielded from were immorality, negative influences, and vice. Alexandra Feodorovna watched over her daughters’ literary choices, confined their social circle, and ensured that they received a moral education. She thought that girls might be negatively impacted by young women from wealthy families. In addition, Olga and Tatyana worked as hospital nurses during World War I and visited the homes of people suffering from tuberculosis.

The family gave to charities as well. Consequently, 1911–1913. In Crimea, Olga took part in charity bazaars with the rest of the family. The money raised was used to construct a sanitarium for people with tuberculosis.

Character of Princess Olga Nikolaevna

Olga was a gentle, frank, and impetuous child. She had a hard time controlling her emotions because she both recovered and flared up quickly. If the girl thought she was right, it was hard to persuade her otherwise. Having a strong will, being direct, and being honest occasionally bothered other people.

Children of Alexandra Feodorovna were brought up in a strict manner. This strategy did not always work with Olga. And the mother spent a lot of time explaining and reprimanding her daughter, trying to help her learn to control her temper. Following Olga and the governess’s altercation, the Empress wrote to her daughter:

God gives us a patience lesson. I am aware that you find everything extremely personal and that you get angry easily, so I know that this is particularly hard for you. But you have to control your tongue. Say a quick prayer asking God to assist you. Always try to be sympathetic and keep your own needs aside. Then you will find it easier to endure with God’s assistance. God bless you. I give you a very kissy kiss. Your mom.

Olga cherished her mother and made a concerted effort, though not always successful, to keep her peace. She made arrangements with her sisters to switch shifts when she was ill so that Alexandra Feodorovna would always have company. Parents instilled in their daughters the values of caring for others and for their parents.

Alexandra Feodorovna was a strict mother, but occasionally her gentle heart could not take it when her daughter was offended by her strictness:

"My kid. Don’t think that I bade you good-bye in a furious manner at night. This was not the case. Mom has the right to express her opinions to the kids, and you left looking so glum. This is not how you should act, sweetie, as it aggravates me and I have to be firm when needed. I give in too much to my girls. Rest in peace. May God continue to bless and keep you. I give you a big kiss. Your aging mother.

Among her sisters, Olga was regarded as the most intelligent and competent. She was occasionally lazy since she found studying to be easy.

The princess yearned for some alone time with a book because she loved to read. However, she only performed housework because she was afraid to defy her mother.

Olga maintained a friendship with her sisters despite their occasional arguments. She also adored her younger brother, who thought of her as his favorite and closest sister.

First ball

When Olga Nikolaevna turned sixteen, she attended her first ball. Grand celebrations were anticipated by high society, but Alexandra Feodorovna disapproved of them. Additionally, she planned a private ball at Livadia Palace, which is close to Yalta, rather than the Winter Palace for a select group of people. The girl changed into a long ball gown, and her hair looked stunning.

"I went to my first ball at 9 p.m. It was found by Knyazhevich and myself. I was so happy that I danced nonstop until one in the morning. Numerous ladies and officers were present. It was a blast for everyone. I’m sixteen years old.

Patriotic education

Olga was brought up to be a staunch nationalist. Nicholas II’s children loved their nation and all things Russian, and they conversed with their governess and each other in Russian. The young lady declined an offer from the future Carol II’s family in Romania because it would require her to leave her home country. She was not persuaded even by the chance to visit her family in Russia.

"I am Russian, and I want to stay Russian. I do not want to be a foreigner in my country." Later on, though, she showed a great deal of sympathy to the Serbian prince Alexander, who was also a strong candidate for her hand. Maybe she was still thinking about being a queen to foreigners.

Daddy"s daughter

At the age of 14, Olga’s father made her an honorary commander of the Russian Imperial Army’s 3rd Elizavetgrad Hussar Regiment, which was named after her, Her Imperial Highness Grand Duchess Olga Nikolaevna.

Olga was the most like her father, whom she adored, among all the Tsar’s daughters. And he had a great deal of faith in his "little close friend."

Witnesses claim that the Emperor considered giving his eldest daughter the throne when he was left without an heir.

"Father asks to convey to all those who remained loyal to him, and to those on whom they can have influence, that they do not avenge Him, since He has forgiven everyone and prays for everyone, and that they do not avenge themselves, and that they remember that the evil that is now in the world will be even stronger, but that it is not evil that will conquer evil, but only love," said Grand Duchess Olga, who was raised in Christian morality, love, and patience.

At the age of 22, Olga passed away in the Ipatiev House in Yekaterinburg on June 17, 1918, along with her family.

Elena Maksimova 23.12.23

The last Russian Tsar’s eldest daughter, Olga Nikolaevna Romanova, was raised in an era of privilege and duty. She was taught at an early age to navigate the difficulties of royal expectations while embodying the values of duty, family, and compassion. Despite her elevated social standing, Olga was well-known for her genuine warmth, abiding love for her family, and yearning for a straightforward, tranquil existence—elements that helped many who heard her tale identify with her.

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