Grand Duke Nicholas Alexandrovich of Russia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Nicholas (Nikolai) Alexandrovich Romanov (Russian: Николай Александрович Романов) (September 20, 1843 - April 24, 1865) was Tsarevich of Imperial Russia from March 2, 1855 until his death. He was also the Grand Duke of Russia and Grand Prince Thronfolger. He was nick-named Nixa.
He was born at Tsarskoye Selo, the eldest son of Tsarevich Alexander Nikolaievich, eldest son of Emperor Nicholas I of Russia, and Princess Maximilienne Wilhelmine Marie of Hesse and by Rhine. In 1855, his paternal grandfather died and his father successed as Emperor Alexander II.
[edit] Engagement
Nicholas was engaged in the summer of 1864 to Dagmar of Denmark. She was the second eldest daughter of Christian IX of Denmark and Louise of Hesse-Kassel and a sister-in-law of Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, heir to the British throne. When on his deathbed, Nicholas expressed his wish that his fiancée should become the bride of his younger brother and successor as Tsarevich, Alexander.
[edit] Death
Nicholas was thought to have a strong constitution until it became visible that it was failing. He is believed to have gotten bronchitis and was sent to Southern France. While in France, his health deterriorated and he died on April 24, 1865 in Nice, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. He is believed to have died of tuberculosis.
