Maria Vladimirovna, Grand Duchess of Russia

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Pretender
Maria Vladimirovna
Born December 23, 1953 (1953-12-23) (age 54)
Madrid, Spain
Regnal name claimed Maria I, Empress of Russia
Title(s) Grand Duchess of Russia
Throne(s) claimed Russia
Pretend from April 21, 1992
Monarchy abolished 1917
Last monarch Nicholas II
Connection with First cousin twice removed
Royal House Holstein-Gottorp-Romanov
Father Grand Duke Vladimir Cyrillovich
Mother Princess Leonida Bagration-Moukhransky
Spouse Prince Franz Wilhelm of Prussia
Children Grand Duke George Mikhailovich of Russia
Predecessor Grand Duke Vladimir Cyrillovich

Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna of Russia, (Mariya Vladimirovna Romanova, Cyrillic: Мари́я Влади́мировна Рома́нова) (born December 23, 1953) is regarded by most genealogists and Russian monarchists as the Head of the Imperial Family of Russia and Titular Empress and Autocrat of All the Russias since 1992. Throughout her life she has used as her title and style of pretension Her Imperial Highness Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna of Russia.

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[edit] Biography

She was born in 1953, the daughter of Grand Duke Vladimir Cyrillovich of Russia, Head of the Imperial Family of Russia and Titular Emperor of Russia,[1] and Leonida Georgievna Kirby née Princess Bagration-Moukhransky (the divorced wife of the American-born Sumner Moore Kirby). Maria studied Russian and Russian history at Oxford University and lives in France and Spain.[2]

Her paternal grandparents were Grand Duke Cyril Vladimirovich of Russia and Grand Duchess Victoria Feodorovna née Princess Victoria Melita of Edinburgh and Saxe-Coburg-Gotha.

On September 22, 1976, she married Prince Franz Wilhelm of Prussia. He was granted the title and style of "His Imperial Highness Grand Duke Michael Pavlovich of Russia" by Maria's father. The couple separated in 1982. When they divorced on June 19, 1985, he reverted to his Prussian title and style.[3] From this marriage, Maria has one child, Grand Duke George Mikhailovich.

Maria Vladimirovna's father, Vladimir Cyrillovich, was considered by some to be the last male dynast of the Romanov Family.[2] The arguments over whether she is the valid head of the Imperial Family of Russia are detailed in the article on the line of succession to the Russian throne.

Grand Duchess Maria's father Grand Duke Vladimir Kirillovich
Grand Duchess Maria's father Grand Duke Vladimir Kirillovich

Following the discovery of the remains of Emperor Nicholas II and most of his family in 1991 Maria Vladimirovna did not recognize the authenticity of the remains and refused to attend the reburial ceremony in 1998.[4]

Maria Vladimirovna is in the line of succession to the British Throne.


Russian Imperial Family
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[edit] Attitude toward succession controversy

Maria was declared Curatrix to the Throne by her father on December 23, 1969 which drew objections from the disputed male dynasts.[5][6] Her grandfather's claim as Tsar in Exile was strongly disputed by other members of his family. One said: "To say the family is divided is a euphemism. The family is raving mad."[7] Maria hopes for the restoration of the monarchy someday, but opinion polls have shown a very discouraging response to this prospect[citation needed]. When questioned about a rift in the Romanov family, Maria said;

“ Attempts to disparage My rights have originated with people who, firstly, do not belong to the Imperial Family, and, secondly, either do not themselves know the relevant laws or think that others do not know these laws. In either case, there is unscrupulousness at work. The only thing that causes Me regret is that some of our relatives waste their time and energy on little intrigues instead of striving to be of some use to their country. I have never quarreled with anyone about these matters and I remain open to a discussion and cooperation with all, including, of course, My relatives. But there can be no foundation for cooperation without respect for Our dynastic laws, fulfilling these laws, and following our family traditions. [4] ”

[edit] Regnal actions

In 2002, Maria became frustrated with the internal strife within the Russian monarchist movement. When representatives of the Union of Descendants of Noble Families, one of two rival nobility associations (the other, older one being the Russian Nobility Association) were discovered as distributing chivalric titles and awards of the Order of St Nicholas the Wonderworker, without having them expressly approved and undersigned by herself, she published a relatively strongly-worded disclaimer.[8]

[edit] Awards

  • Order of St Nicholas the Wonderworker 1st Class
  • Cross of Russian Nobility Association 1st Class.

[edit] Ancestors

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 16. Alexander II of Russia
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 8. Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich of Russia
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 17. Maria Alexandrovna (Marie of Hesse)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 4. Grand Duke (Emperor in Exile) Cyril Vladimirovich of Russia
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 18. Frederick Francis II, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 9. Marie of Mecklenburg-Schwerin (Maria Pavlovna of Russia)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 19. Princess Auguste of Reuss
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 2. Grand Duke Vladimir Cyrillovich of Russia
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 20. Albert, Prince Consort
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 10. Alfred, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 21. Victoria of the United Kingdom
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 5. Princess Victoria Melita of Edinburgh and Saxe-Coburg and Gotha
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 22. Alexander II of Russia
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 11. Grand Duchess Maria Alexandrovna of Russia
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 23. Maria Alexandrovna (Marie of Hesse)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1. Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna of Russia
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 24. Prince Irakli Bagrationi of Mukhrani
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 12. Lieutenant-General Prince Alexander Bagrationi of Mukhrani
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 25. Princess Kethavan Mkardgrdzeli-Argutashvili
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 6. Prince George Bagrationi of Mukhrani
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 26. Vice-Admiral Dmitry Zakharovitch Golovatchev
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 13. Maria Dmitrievna Golovatchev
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 27. Leonida Igorovna v. Hessen
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 3. Princess Leonida Bagration-Moukhransky
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 28. Dmitri Zlotnicki (1805-1865) (Szlachta)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 14. Zygmunt-Czeslaw Zlotnicki (Szlachta)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 29. Celestina Trzezak (b. 1822) (Szlachta)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 7. Elena Zlotnicki
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 30. Prince Elizbar Eristov (1808-1871)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 15. Princess Maria Eristov
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 31. Princess Catherine Eristov (b. 1825)
 
 
 
 
 
 

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Maria in Vladivostok
  2. ^ a b The Romanov Imperial dynasty in emigration XX century
  3. ^ Eilers, Marlene. Queen Victoria's Descendants. 2nd ed. Rosvall Royal Books: Falkoping, Sweden, 1997.
  4. ^ a b Interview with Maria Vladimirovna
  5. ^ Dynastic Succession
  6. ^ Succession to the Imperial throne of Russia
  7. ^ Kurth, Peter (January), “The mystery of the Romanov bones”, Vanity Fair, <http://web.archive.org/web/20070503084027/http://www.peterkurth.com/ROMANOV+BONES.htm> 
  8. ^ Declaration by Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna
  9. ^ Head of the Imperial House Of Russia and Grand Master of the Imperial and Royal Orders of Russia
  10. ^ Genealogy Of The Imperial House Of Russia
  11. ^ (rus)Награждение Государыни Марии Владимировны Орденом Святой Ольги
  12. ^ (rus) Высочайший визит в Португалию Главы Российского Императорского Дома


[edit] External links

Imperial coat of arms of Brazil
Pretenders to the Russian
throne since 1917
Russian Empire
October Revolution

Emperor Nicholas II (1917-1918)
— vacant —
Grand Duke Cyril (1924-1938)
Grand Duke Vladimir (1938-1992)
Grand Duchess Maria (1992-)
Prince Nicholas (1992-)
See also House of Romanov
Maria Vladimirovna, Grand Duchess of Russia
Cadet branch of the House of Oldenburg
Born: 23 September 1953
Titles in pretence
Preceded by
Grand Duke Vladimir Cyrillovich		 — TITULAR —
Empress of Russia
21 April 1992 – present
Reason for succession failure:
Empire abolished in 1917		 Incumbent
Designated heir:
Grand Duke George Mikhailovich
British royalty
Preceded by
Constanza Snyder		 Line of succession to the British Throne
110th position		 Succeeded by
Grand Duke George Mikhailovich of Russia