In January 1889, Victoria Alice Elena Louise Beatrice of Hesse-Darmstadt, at the invitation of Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich, the husband of her older sister Elizaveta Feodorovna, visited Russia. She stayed at the Sergievsky Palace (Belosselsky-Belozersky Palace) in St. Petersburg for six weeks, where she met the heir to the throne, Tsarevich Nikolai Alexandrovich. She was almost 17 years old, he was almost 21 years old, and they immediately noticed each other. Emperor Alexander III “resolutely did not like Princess Alice” (Gr. S. Witte), he rejected his son’s requests, as he was considering another option for the heir’s marriage. But Tsarevich Nicholas and Princess Alice continued to correspond through Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich.

Nicholas II. (E. Lipgart)

Tsarevich Nikolai Alexandrovich and Princess Alice of Hesse. 1889

This is what they looked like when they first met.

Under pressure from his son’s requests, through the mediation of Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna and due to deteriorating health, at the beginning of 1894, Emperor Alexander III gave permission for the heir’s marriage to Princess Alice of Hesse. On April 2, 1894, Tsarevich Nikolai Alexandrovich went to Coburg for the wedding of Alice’s brother, Prince Ernst of Hesse, with Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, and in fact, to woo Princess Alice.

From the diary of Nicholas II (1894)

5th of April. Tuesday. "God! What a day it is today! After coffee, at about 10 o’clock we came to Comrade Ella (Ella – Grand Duchess Elizaveta Feodorovna – Alix’s elder sister – author’s note). to the rooms of Ernie (Ernie - Ernst of Hesse - Alix's brother - author's note) and Alix. She looked remarkably prettier, but looked extremely sad. We were left alone, and then that conversation began between us, which I had long sincerely desired and at the same time was very afraid of. They talked until 12 o'clock, but to no avail, she still resists the change of religion. She cried a lot, poor thing. We parted more calmly... At 4 ½ Queen Victoria (Queen of Great Britain - author's note) arrived very solemnly... I'm tired in my soul today.”

April 6. Wednesday. “...we were drinking coffee in our common living room. Alix then came and we talked to her again; I touched less on yesterday’s question, it’s good that she agrees to see and talk with me... Dressed in Prussian uniforms, we went to the station to meet Wilhelm...”(Wilhelm II - Emperor of Germany - author's note)

April 7. Thursday. "Ducky and Ernie's wedding day..."(Ducky - Victoria of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha - author's note)

April 8. Friday. “A wonderful, unforgettable day in my life - the day of my engagement to my dear, beloved Alix. After 10 o’clock she came to Comrade Michen (Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna - author’s note) and, after talking with her, we explained to each other. God, what a weight has been lifted from my shoulders; What joy did you manage to please dear Dad and Mom! I walked around in a daze all day, not fully realizing what had actually happened to me! Wilhelm sat in the next room and waited for the end of our conversation with his uncles and aunts. Now I went with Alix to the queen and then to Comrade Marie (Grand Duchess Maria Alexandrovna, Duchess of Edinburgh, Duchess of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha - aunt of Nicholas II - author's note), where the whole family licked their lips in joy for a long time. After breakfast we went to Comrade Marie’s church and served a thanksgiving prayer... I can’t even believe that I have a fiancée...”

April 19. Tuesday.“... horror, how sad it is that we have to part for a long time! How good it was together - heaven!.

On April 20, Princess Alice left with her grandmother Queen Victoria for Darmstadt and then to England. In the evening of the same day, Tsarevich Nicholas left for Russia.

Queen Victoria of Great Britain is sitting in the middle, Emperor Wilhelm II of Germany is on the left, and Tsarevich Nicholas and Princess Alice are between them.

In June, the Heir receives permission from his father to go on the imperial yacht “Polar Star” to England, where Princess Alice was staying at that time. From June 8 to July 11, young people spend time together again.

However, the illness of Emperor Alexander III progressed so much that a decision was made to move to Crimea. On September 18, the august couple, together with the heir, leave the capital for Livadia. On October 10, Princess Alice also arrived in Crimea.

From the diary of Nicholas II.

October 5. “Papa and Mom allowed me to send my dear Alix from Darmstadt here - Ella and D. Sergei will bring her... What a joy it is to meet again so unexpectedly - the only sad thing is that under such circumstances.”

October 10 “At 9 ½ I went with D. Sergei to Alushta, where we arrived at one o’clock in the afternoon. Ten minutes later, my beloved Alix and Ella arrived from Simferopol... I was overcome with terrible excitement when we entered our dear Parents. Dad was weaker today and Alix's arrival, in addition to the meeting with Fr. They tired him out with John.”

October 20. Manifesto. – “On the accession of His Imperial Majesty, Sovereign Emperor Nikolai Alexandrovich to the Ancestor Throne of the Russian Empire and the inseparable Kingdoms of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Finland.”

“We announce to all Our faithful subjects. Almighty God was pleased in His inscrutable ways to interrupt the precious life of Our beloved Parent, Sovereign Emperor Alexander Alexandrovich. The serious illness did not yield to either treatment or the beneficial climate of Crimea, and on October 20 He died in Livadia, surrounded by His August Family, in the arms of Her Imperial Majesty, the Empress and Ours... ...And not only in Russia, but far beyond its borders never will cease to honor the memory of the Tsar, who personified unshakable truth and peace, never violated throughout his reign... ...we remember the covenants of our departed Father and, imbued with them, accept the sacred vow before the Face of the Most High to always have as one goal the peaceful prosperity, power and glory of dear Russia and arrangement of happiness of all Our loyal subjects... ...we command all Our subjects to take an oath of allegiance to Us and to Our Heir, His Imperial Highness, Grand Duke George Alexandrovich, Who will be and be called the Heir Tsarevich, until God pleases to bless Our upcoming marriage with Princess Alice of Hesse with the birth of a Son "

"NIKOLAY"

From the diary of Nicholas II.

The 20th of October. Thursday. "My God! My God, what a day! The Lord called back our adored, dear, beloved Pope. My head is spinning, I don’t want to believe it - the terrible reality seems so implausible. We spent the whole morning near it! At about half-past two he received Holy Communion; Soon mild convulsions began... Father John (Archpriest John Sergiev (Kronstadt) - author's note) stood at his head for more than an hour and held his head. It was the death of a saint! Lord, help us in these difficult days! Poor dear Mom! In the evening at 9 ½ there was a funeral service - in the same bedroom! I felt like I was dead. Dear Alix's legs hurt again! I confessed in the evening."

October 21. Manifesto. – “On the perception of Her Grand Ducal Highness, Princess Alice of Hesse, of the Orthodox Faith.”

“Today the Holy Confirmation took place on Our chosen Bride. Taking the name Alexandra, She became a Daughter of Our Orthodox Church, to the great consolation of Ours and all of Russia.

In the midst of the sorrowful trial that was sent to all of Us according to the inscrutable destinies of the Almighty, we believe with all Our people that the soul of Our beloved Parent in the heavenly villages blessed the one chosen according to His heart and Ours will share with Us a believing and loving soul incessant concerns for the good and success of Our Fatherland.

All Our faithful subjects will unite with Us in prayer, may the Lord send His blessing upon Our destinies and those entrusted to Us by the will of His people.

Announcing this desired event to all Our faithful subjects, we command Our Highly Named Bride, Her Grand Ducal Highness, Princess Alice to be called the Blessed Grand Duchess Alexandra Feodorovna with the title of Imperial Highness.”

"NIKOLAY"

From the diary of Nicholas II.

October 21. Friday. “And in deep sorrow the Lord gives us quiet and bright joy: at 10 o’clock. In the presence of only the family, my dear dear Alix was anointed and after mass we took communion with her, dear Mom and Ella. Alix read her answers and prayers amazingly well and clearly! After breakfast, a memorial service was served, and at 9 pm another one. The expression on Dear Dad’s face is wonderful, smiling, as if he wants to laugh! I spent the whole day answering telegrams from Alix, and also doing business with the last courier. Even the weather changed: it was cold and the sea was roaring!”

From the diary of Nicholas II. October 22. Saturday. “...There was a fermentation of minds on the question of where to hold my wedding. Mom, some others and I find that it is best to do it here quietly, while dear Dad is still under the roof of the house; and all my uncles are against this and say that I should get married in St. Petersburg, after the funeral. This seems completely inconvenient to me!...”

Ultimately, the decision was made to have the wedding after the funeral.

On October 27, the Cossacks carried the coffin with the body of the Emperor from Livadia to the pier in Yalta and from there by sea on the cruiser “Memory of Mercury” to Sevastopol. In Sevastopol, the coffin was transferred to a funeral train, which set off for St. Petersburg. On the way, we stopped for funeral services and farewells of residents to the Emperor in Borki (the site of the crash of the Tsar's train in 1888), Kharkov, Kursk, Orel and Tula. On October 30, we arrived in Moscow and transferred the coffin to the Archangel Cathedral of the Kremlin. On October 31, from the cathedral we boarded the train again, stopped in Tver and arrived in St. Petersburg on November 1 at 10 am. On November 7, the funeral service and burial of Emperor Alexander III, the “PEACEMAKER,” took place in the Peter and Paul Cathedral, the tomb of the Romanov house.

Removal of the coffin from the Livadia Palace. (M. Zichy)

Descent of the coffin with the body of Alexander III in Sevastopol. (M. Zichy)

Carrying out the coffin of Alexander III from the funeral train in Moscow on October 30, 1894. (M. Zichy)

Funeral of Alexander III in the Peter and Paul Cathedral.

Mihai Zichy in his workshop.

February 26. (1896) Personalized Highest decree given to the Senate. – “On the establishment of a medal in memory of the reign of Emperor Alexander III.”

“Our beloved parent, through His wise rule, without drawing a sword, steadily led Our dear Fatherland along a glorious path. Bringing peace and tranquility everywhere, He left His blessed Name forever in the hearts of His faithful people.

In memory of the unforgettable King Peacemaker, now, on the 51st anniversary of His birth, We have established a silver medal with the image of Our Parent for the employees of the late Emperor in the affairs of His reign. May it serve them as a constant reminder of the bright image of the Sovereign Leader, who did not spare Himself for the good of the Fatherland.

This medal was installed to be worn on the chest, on the ribbon of the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky, by those who were in active service during the past reign: hierarchs, clergy, generals, staff and chief officers and class ranks of all departments.”

"NIKOLAY"

Medal in memory of the reign of Emperor Alexander III.

Exactly a week after the funeral, the wedding of Emperor Nicholas II and Grand Duchess Alexandra Feodorovna took place. The fact is that on November 14, 1894, the Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna turned 47 years old and in honor of her birthday, it was possible to weaken the mourning, which was declared for a year.

November 14. (1894) Manifesto. - “On the marriage of His Imperial Majesty, Sovereign Emperor Nikolai Alexandrovich with the Blessed Grand Duchess Alexandra Feodorovna, Daughter of the Grand Duke of Hesse.”

“We announce to all Our faithful subjects.

With the blessing of God, today in the cathedral church of the Winter Palace, in the presence of clergy and secular persons, Our marriage to Our beloved Bride, the Blessed Grand Duchess Alexandra Feodorovna, Daughter of the Grand Duke of Hesse, took place.

In the midst of the deep sorrow with which the hearts of Ours and all the faithful sons of Russia are filled, may this day be a bright messenger of the people’s hopes for the continuation of God’s mercy to Us in the coming new Kingdom.

Thinking about his fate, We considered it good not to delay the fulfillment of Our heartfelt desire, the sacred covenant to Us in God of the deceased Parent and the joyful expectations of all the people - so that Our marriage Union, blessed by Our Parents, will be strengthened by the sacrament of the Holy Church.

All Our faithful subjects will unite with Us in prayer, may the Lord bestow blessings on Our Union and grant Us, for the good of Russia, the same serene happiness with which Our Unforgettable Parent was blessed in His House, for the edification and consolation of all the people.”

"NIKOLAY"

From the diary of Nicholas II. November 14. (1894) Monday. “My wedding day. After a shared coffee we went to get dressed; I put on a hussar uniform and at 11 ½ I went with Misha (Grand Duke Mikhail Alexandrovich - the younger brother of Nicholas II - author's note) to Zimny. Troops were stationed all over Nevsky for Mama and Alix to pass. While her toilet was taking place in Malachite, we all waited in the Arab room. At 10 minutes past twelve, the exit to the Great Church began, from where I returned as a married man. My best men were: Misha, Georgie, Kirill and Sergey. (Georgie - George - Prince of Greece, Kirill - Grand Duke Kirill Vladimirovich - cousin of Nicholas II, Sergei - Grand Duke Sergei Mikhailovich - second cousin of Nicholas II. - author's note) In Malakhitova they presented us with a huge silver swan from the family. Having changed clothes, Alix got into a carriage with a Russian harness with a postilion with me and we went to the Kazan Cathedral. There was an abyss of people on the streets - they could barely get through! Upon arrival in Anichkov, L. Guards met the honor guard in the courtyard. Uhlan Regiment. Mom was waiting with bread and salt in our rooms. We sat all evening and answered telegrams. We had dinner at 8 o'clock, went to bed early, because... She had a bad headache!”

On the same day, three more manifestos were issued, which concerned the Royal Graces on the occasion of the wedding. All Ministries and Departments announced awards to all who served Emperor Alexander III with faith and truth. There was a separate manifesto for the War Ministry on amnesty for “those who fell into crime.” And a large manifesto concerning tax benefits and amnesty in the financial sector and commercial activities, especially these benefits affected the peasantry and, naturally, amnesty for tramps and criminals.

The wedding of Nicholas II and Alexandra Feodorovna. (I. Repin.)

Medal in honor of the marriage of Emperor Nicholas II with Princess Alice of Hesse
(medalist A.F. Vasyutinsky)

“A.F. Vasyutinsky, who declared himself to be a highly qualified specialist, along with I.E. Repin and M.M. Antokolsky in 1895 was given the honor of drawing from life the future Emperor Nicholas II to create sketches of the front sides of Nicholas II's award medals and a large coin. Let us note that before this incident, not a single portrait of the emperor created on a medal or plaque was executed from sketches from life. Life drawing was the preparatory work for the obverse sides of the coronation medals of Nicholas II and for the new coin" - Shchukina E.S. “Two centuries of the Russian medal. Medal art in Russia 1700–1917.” – M.: Terra, 2000. – 272 p.

From the diary of Nicholas II. (1895)

January 30.“...There was the first sitting while I was being drawn and sculpted from all sides at the same time: Repin, Antakolsky and Vasyutinsky. It lasted more than an hour - boredom!..."

May 26. (1895) The highest order announced by the Minister of Finance. – “On establishing the appearance of gold and full-fledged silver coins.”

“The Sovereign Emperor, following the most humble report from the Minister of Finance... ...Highly deigned to approve a detailed description and design of such a coin...”

In November 1895, the mourning for Emperor Alexander III ended.

January 1. (1896) Manifesto. – "On the upcoming Holy Coronation of Their Imperial Majesties."

“We announce to all Our faithful subjects:

With the help of God, We decided, in the month of May of this year, in the Mother See of Moscow, following the example of the Pious Sovereigns, Our Ancestors, to place upon ourselves the Crown and, according to the established rite, to receive Holy Confirmation, introducing to this our Most Dear Spouse, the Empress Alexandra Feodorovna.

We call on all Our faithful subjects, on the upcoming solemn day of the Coronation, to share Our joy and, together with Us, offer a fervent prayer to the Giver of all blessings, may He pour out the Gifts of His Holy Spirit on Us, may He strengthen Our Power and may He guide Us in the footsteps of the Unforgettable Parent Ours, whose life and labors for the benefit of our dear Fatherland will forever remain a bright example for Us.”

"NIKOLAY"

On the same day, two more decrees concerning the coronation were issued and approved by the Highest: on the calling to Moscow of the estates and other representatives of the Russian Empire under the “Special Regulations”, which was approved by the Highest on January 11 and on the creation of the “Coronation Commission” and the “Coronation Chancellery” under the leadership of the Minister of the Imperial Household.

On February 23, on the day of the coronation and the two days following it, in Moscow and St. Petersburg “government offices, the temporary suspension of the activities of which can be allowed without much inconvenience,” government officials received three days off.

On February 28, the “Named Highest Decree given to the Senate” was issued stating that during the Coronation festivities in Moscow the presence of the 1st Department of the Governing Senate and the General Senate of the Assembly will be formed, i.e. The government of the Empire, “recognizing it as good,” temporarily moved with the Emperor to the Mother See.

On February 8, the Emperor approves the drawings of signs, author A. N. Benois, (analogous to a pass) for officials participating in the coronation.

Sign to the officials of the Coronation Bureau. Coronation sign.

Sign for photographers. Sign to artists and correspondents.

The logo in the lower cartouche of the sign was the same for the “ranks” and “correspondents”, but for the “ranks” it was on the lining.

These signs are extremely rare and very expensive, each of them has an individual number on the back.

9th May The imperial couple and the Dowager Empress solemnly entered Moscow.

From 11,12 and 13 May heralds drove around the city and solemnly announced the upcoming coronation.

May 15: Reception of congratulations in the Throne Hall from the Supreme Clergy, State Council, Ministers, Senate, Governors and other senior government officials. Lunch for the Clergy and Persons of the first 2 classes in the Faceted Chamber.

May 16: reception of congratulations in the Throne Hall from Ambassadors of foreign states, senior military officers and Deputies of the Cossack troops. Evening exit to the Chamber of Facets. (Kurtag).

May 17: Reception of congratulations in the Throne Room from the Ladies of the Diplomatic Corps, Ladies of the Court, Foreign Ladies of the Court. A gala performance at the Bolshoi Theater.

May 19: Gala dinner in the Alexander Hall of the Kremlin Palace. Ball at the Austrian Ambassador.

May 20: Liturgy in the Chudov Monastery (beginning of Peter's Lent). Ball at E.I.V. Moscow Governor General.

May 22: Trip of Their Imperial Majesties to the Sergius Lavra. (Day of the death of Nicholas II’s grandmother, Empress Maria Alexandrovna).

May 25: Birthday of Empress Alexandra Feodorovna. Lunch for Ambassadors in St. George's Hall.

May 26: The highest review of troops on the Khodynskoye field. Lunch for Moscow authorities in the Alexander Hall. Departure of Their Imperial Majesties from Moscow.

In 1899, the Ministry of the Imperial Court, edited by V.S. Krivenko, published the “Coronation Collection” in two volumes. The first volume told about the history of coronations in the Russian Empire, the second volume was entirely devoted to the coronation of Nicholas II. Here is the table of contents of the second volume:

1. The highest manifestos, decrees, rescripts, orders and other government orders on the occasion of the Holy Coronation.

2. The highest awards, awards and appointments.

3. The highest approved ceremonies, with the names of the persons who took part in them.

4. Tickets, agendas, posters, menus, programs and schedules.

5. List of the Highest Persons and persons who arrived in Moscow for the celebrations of the Holy Coronation of Their Imperial Majesties.

1. Throne of His Imperial Majesty the Sovereign Emperor.

2. Throne of Her Imperial Majesty Empress Alexandra Feodorovna.

3. Throne of Her Imperial Majesty Empress Maria Feodorovna.

4. Places for Their Imperial Highnesses Grand Dukes, Grand Duchesses and Foreign Princes and Princesses.

5. and 6. Places for other persons of the Imperial Family.

7a. Places for the Diplomatic Corps and the Retinue of Foreign Princes.

7b. Seats for members of the State Council, Ministers and General Managers.

8. Places for Senators, Honorary Guardians, Fellow Ministers, Governors General and other persons remaining in the Cathedral, senior officials of various departments and class representatives.

9. Places for clergy of Foreign Confessions.

10. Places for State Dames, Chamberlains, Maids of Honor, Foreign Court Ladies and Ladies of the 3rd class.

11. Places of volost elders remaining in the Cathedral.

12. Places for correspondents.

13. Patriarchal place.

14. Royal place.

15. Relaxation room.

A, B, C and D are columns.

The cathedral prepared for the coronation.

Imperial Regalia in the Throne Room before the coronation, guarded by a grenadier.

Throne room.

Transfer of the thrones of Maria Feodorovna and Alexandra Feodorovna.

Throne of John III. Throne of Mikhail Feodorovich. Throne of Alexei Mikhailovich.

Nicholas II was crowned on the throne of the first tsar from the Romanov family - Mikhail Feodorovitch, for Alexandra Feodorovna the throne of Tsar John III was chosen, for Maria Feodorovna the throne of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich was chosen. Kept in the Armory Chamber of the Moscow Kremlin.

From the coronation collection

“The Holy Coronation is performed in the following order:

The Most Reverend Metropolitan of St. Petersburg, having ascended to the upper platform of the Throne and standing before the GOVERNMENT EMPEROR, will invite HIS MAJESTY... ...to read the Symbol of Faith in a loud voice. Then the Most Reverend Metropolitan, exclaiming: “Let the grace of the Holy Spirit be with You. Amen,” comes down from the Throne.

... HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY... ... will command that the IMPERIAL Porphyry be placed upon Himself..."

Coronation Porphyry 1896 (Armory Chamber of the Moscow Kremlin).
Three identical porphyries were made for the coronation.

“Upon the laying on of Porphyra, HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY will deign to bow the Head, and the Metropolitan of St. Petersburg, having made the sign of the cross over the GOVERNMENT EMPEROR and placing his hands crosswise on the Head, will read, according to the order, the established two prayers.

At the end of the second prayer, the LORD EMPEROR will order the Crown to be given to Himself... ...taking it from the pillow... ...place it on His Head; The Metropolitan of St. Petersburg will give a speech on the book.”

Large Imperial crown. 1762
Masters: G.-F. Eckart, I. Pozier, Orote, I. Estifeev, I. Lipman.
Made for the Coronation of Catherine II. All the emperors were crowned.

“Then HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY orders the Scepter and the Orb to be presented to Himself... ...they will present them on pillows to the Most Reverend Metropolitan, who will present these Regalia to the LORD EMPEROR and make a speech on the book.

Scepter: 1771.1773, craftsmen L. Pfisterer, I Leonovich, diamond “Orlov”.
Power: 1762 master G.-F. Eckart, 1797 master Ya. Duval. Sapphire.

...deigns to call to Himself the EMPRESS ALEXANDRA FEODOROVNA.

HER MAJESTY, approaching the GOVERNMENT EMPEROR, will kneel before him... ...The MONARCH, having taken off the Crown from Himself, will touch it to the Head of the EMPRESS and place it on Himself again.

Then the small Crown will be presented to the LORD EMPEROR...

HIS MAJESTY will entrust it to the Head of the EMPRESS...

Small Imperial Crown. 1855 master L. Zeftigen.

But it was precisely this crown that the Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna wore at the coronation; she refused to give it to Alexandra Feodorovna, and a copy had to be made in the jewelry workshop of K. Gan, a supplier of the Imperial House.

“Then it will be presented to HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY, for conferment on THE EMPRESS, Porphyry and the Chain of the Order of St. Apostle Andrew the First-Called... ...the four State Dames of these Regalia will be set.

Then the EMPRESS ALEXANDRA FEODOROVNA will deign to rise and return to Her Throne...

The protodeacon, having proclaimed the entire IMPERIAL TITLE, will exclaim many years to the GOVERNMENT EMPEROR and THE EMPRESS, and the singers will sing three times: “Many Years.”

The singing is accompanied by the ringing of all the bells and, according to the signal given by the Military Command, 101 cannon shots.”

After the end of the fireworks, Nicholas II reads a special prayer on his knees, then everyone in the temple kneels and the Metropolitan, on behalf of all the people, also reads a special prayer, the Emperor listens to it while standing. Then the Divine Liturgy is served according to order. After the communion of the priesthood, the Royal Doors open and the protodeacon announces that the time of Holy Confirmation has come.

The Emperor, accompanied by regalia, approaches the open Royal Gates, followed by the Empress.

“...The Metropolitan of St. Petersburg... ...will perform Holy Confirmation on HIS MAJESTY’s forehead, on his eyes, on his nostrils, on his lips, on his ears, on his chest and on his hands, saying: “The Seal of the Gift of the Holy Spirit”...

...Then the EMPRESS will approach the Royal Doors... ...The Metropolitan of St. Petersburg will anoint the Holy Chrism only on the forehead of HER MAJESTY, also saying: “Seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit”

And again the bell rings and 101 cannon shots. The Emperor and Empress, after communion of the Holy Mysteries, return to the Throne. “Many years” is sung again and all those present in the cathedral, without leaving their seats, congratulate Nicholas II and Alexandra Feodorovna with three bows on the successful Coronation and Holy Confirmation. The August Persons of the Imperial Family ascend to the throne for congratulations.

Coronation of Nicholas II and Alexandra Feodorovna. L. Tuxen.

After this, the masters of ceremonies invite those present in the cathedral to come out to line up on the platform. Persons accompanying Empress Maria Feodorovna exit through the “South Doors”. Persons accompanying Their Majesties and persons accompanying the Imperial Regalia exit through the “Northern Doors”. During the coronation procession, the Imperial Regalia is carried in the following order: State Sword, State Banner, State Seal.

The procession of the Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna returns to the inner chambers of the Kremlin Palace and stops in the Throne Room to await the return procession of Their Imperial Majesties.

The Sovereign Emperor and Sovereign Empress in Crowns and Purples, and the Emperor with the Scepter and Orb in his hands, under the canopy from the “North Door” of the Assumption Cathedral, march to the Archangel Cathedral. In the Arkhangelsk Cathedral “Their Majesties deign to venerate the Holy Icons and Relics and venerate the tombs of Their Ancestors.” Next, the procession follows to the Annunciation Cathedral and there “Their Majesties deign to venerate the Holy Icons.”

From the cathedral the procession follows to the Red Porch, on the lower platform the most august persons emerge from under the canopy and rise to the upper platform, where they bow to the people. After bowing, they enter the Kremlin Palace. Upon entering the Throne Room, the Emperor gives the Scepter and Orb to special Dignitaries and, wearing Crowns and Porphyries, departs for the inner chambers to rest and await an invitation to a meal in the Faceted Chamber.

Procession of the Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna.

Procession of Their Imperial Majesties.

Their Imperial Majesties on the Red Porch.

The menu for the gala dinner on May 14, 1896 in the Faceted Chamber was designed in the form of a scroll in the Old Russian style by Viktor Vasnetsov.

The central fragment of the menu.

During lunch: “According to the command given by HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY, the Minister of Finance will present to the EMPRESSES the medals made on the occasion of the HIGH Coronation, which will be distributed to other persons invited to the dinner table of both sexes by the Officials of the Ministry of Finance, under the direction of the Masters of Ceremonies.”

In June 1895 A.F. Vasyutinsky presented sketches of coronation medals, tokens and rubles. On the reverse of the medal, he depicted a scene in which the Emperor places the crown on himself, but Nicholas II rejected this option and ordered the reverse to be made as on the coronation medals of his late father Emperor Alexander III, and also to retain exactly the same types, sizes and weights. Large medals f 63.2 mm, small medals f 51 mm, token f 25.4 mm. For the month of March 1896, the St. Petersburg Mint was ordered medals: large gold medals - 350 pieces; small gold – 650 pcs.; large silver ones – 1200 pcs.; small silver ones – 1700 pcs.; silver tokens – 60,000 pcs.; silver rubles – 25,000 pcs. The report on the expenditure of medals for February 1897 indicates that the following were issued: large gold medals - 329 pieces; small gold – 460 pcs.; large silver ones – 1026 pcs.; small silver – 1627 pcs.

On May 14, 1896, at a meal in the Chamber of Facets, 100 collections, consisting of 4 medals and 2 tokens, and 170 large gold medals were distributed.

Coronation Medal

After the coronation celebrations at the St. Petersburg Mint, it was possible to order and purchase medals for everyone from the metal of their choice, and this is how bronze ones appeared. According to orders from various departments and individuals, from May 3, 1897 to January 17, 1898, the following were produced: gold - 2,417, silver - 74,583, dark bronze - 62,293, light bronze - 13,709. (From the certificate of St. Petersburg MD )

Token

The collection of medals included a silver coronation token. In addition to being distributed as part of collections, it was intended for distribution to the people. Initially, they planned to distribute tokens in Moscow, St. Petersburg and provincial cities upon leaving the Cathedrals after the liturgy on the day of coronation and the days of celebrations that followed. In Moscow, this distribution procedure was canceled due to the “inconveniences witnessed back in 1883” and tokens were distributed among departments through the Moscow Chief of Police, the Moscow Governor and the Moscow City Mayor. As of January 1897, 55,338 tokens were issued: in Moscow - 10,000; in provincial cities - 14,000 units; for the Ministry of the Imperial Household - 12,081 units; for various departments - 19,061 pieces.

For the coronation, private workshops also produced tokens; anyone could purchase them. Here are some of them.

Private Issue Tokens

May 26. (1896) Personalized Highest decree given to the Senate. – “On the establishment, in memory of the Holy Coronation of His Imperial Majesty, of a silver medal on St. Andrew’s ribbon to be worn in the buttonhole.”

“At the end, with God’s help, of the celebrations of Our Holy Coronation, We recognized it as good to install in memory of this event a silver medal on St. Andrew’s ribbon to be worn in the buttonhole, with an image on one side of Our portrait, and on the other side - the inscription: “Coronated in Moscow, May 14, 1896,” and the wearing of such medals is provided to:

1) to all those in active service, class and non-class, as well as lower ranks who were in Moscow during the celebrations of the Holy Coronation.

2) to all class and other representatives who were in Moscow at the Coronation celebrations, and

3) to all persons, without exception, who took part in the preparation and organization of the celebrations of the Holy Coronation.

We have entrusted the issuance of established medals and certificates for them to the Chapter of the Imperial and Royal Orders.”

"NIKOLAY"

Medals for wearing on the chest with an eyelet were minted in quantities of up to 132,000 pieces. then additionally ordered in May 1897 - 100,000 units. and in January 1898 92,611 units.

Medal to be worn on the chest.

A gold gift coin was minted for the coronation “25 rubles – 2 ½ imperials”. 900 gold, weight 32.26 g, f 33.5 mm. Its circulation was 301 pieces. Medalists: obverse - A.F. Vasyutinsky, reverse – A.G. Griliches. On the edge there is the inscription “pure gold 6 spools 77.4 shares” - an asterisk is the sign of the Paris Mint, but it was minted at the St. Petersburg yard.

Of course, this coin is a numismatic rarity. On April 15, 2017, at the Russian Numismatic House auction, in PROOF condition, one of them was sold for 9 million rubles.

25 rubles – ½ imperial.

Ruble in memory of the Coronation of Emperor Nicholas II

For the coronation, a silver “Coronation Ruble” was minted at the St. Petersburg Mint with a circulation of 190,845 pieces.

Weight 20 g, diameter 33.65 mm.

edge"". Occurs (A D) without a dot. In V. Bitkin’s catalog, in addition to the “pressed” edge, the “smooth” edge is also indicated. (I think this is just a typo) In V. Kazakov’s catalog, in addition to the silver ruble, the ruble “made of white metal” is mentioned. Also minted as "PROOF".

Obverse: profile of Emperor Nicholas II. Inscription in a circle: “ * B.M. NICHOLAY II EMPEROR AND AUTOCRET OF ALL RUSSIA * CROWNED IN MOSCOW 1896»

Reverse: in a circle there is a wreath of laurel and oak leaves fastened with a ribbon, with the inscription “ RUBLE", in the center are the State regalia: the Great Imperial Crown, the Scepter, the Orb and the State Sword.

Medalist A.F. Vasyutinsky. (1858 - 1935) By the way, he is the author of the famous golden chervonets of 1923 called “The Sower”.

On the Russian market, the average cost of an 1896 coronation ruble in XF condition is 20-25 thousand rubles.

From the Regulations approved by the Highest on March 12, 1896: “On the granting of special monetary allowances to the ranks of the Military Department when traveling to Moscow on the occasion of the Holy Coronation of THEIR IMPERIAL MAJESES.”

“... In addition, all ranks of the troops, departments and institutions assembled in Moscow are to be given one silver coronation ruble. ..."

“...I authorize the release of the most graciously granted coronation allowance in advance...

This is the first time we see a sword on the coins of the Russian Empire, and here historical parallels arise in themselves. On the coronation ruble of Alexander III there was no sword among the regalia and there were no wars during his reign.

The State Sword was introduced into the State Regalia in 1742 by decree of Empress Elizabeth Petrovna, in connection with her upcoming coronation. It symbolizes that the Emperor is the protector of the state and its people. The sword was chosen from the Master Armory for aesthetic reasons. The pommel of the handle was redone for the coronation under the symbols of Russia. Its origin is not completely clear.

State Sword. Engraving from the Coronation Collection of 1744.

State sword. (Armory Chamber of the Moscow Kremlin)

On the occasion of the coronation, military and secular officials were awarded medals and rubles, the people with tokens, and a special priestly cross was approved for the clergy.

April 20. (1896) The highest command communicated to the Senate by the authority of the Holy Synod. – “The assignment of monastic and white clergy to the priests is the responsibility of St. cross and about the approval of the design of the said cross.”

“The Most Holy Governing Synod, in its jurisdiction, informed the Governing Senate that the Sovereign Emperor, ... deigned, on the 20th day of April: 1) to confer, in commemoration of the all-joyful celebration of the Coronation and Holy Confirmation of Their Imperial Majesties, to all serving priests of the monastic and white clergy , as well as those newly ordained to the said rank have the right to assign to themselves St. cross, and 2) for approval of the design of a silver cross to be worn by those with priestly rank on the chest on a silver or metal chain.”

Priest's cross.

On May 18, the Khodynka tragedy occurred. During the distribution of royal gifts, as a result of the stampede, according to official data, 1,389 people died and up to 2,000 people were injured. The gift set included food and this mug.

Gift mug.

Thus began the reign of Emperor Nicholas II, whose reign led to the collapse of the Russian Empire, but he himself, having suffered martyrdom in the basement of the Ipatiev House, was canonized as the Holy Royal Passion-Bearers and joined the host of holy prayer books and intercessors for the Russian land.

“Indeed, I have rarely met such a well-educated person as Nicholas II, and that is how he remained. This upbringing hides all his shortcomings... Of course, Emperor Nicholas II is not Pavel Petrovich, but in His character there are many traits of the latter and even Alexander I (mysticism, cunning and even deceit), but, of course, there is no education of Alexander I. Alexander I in his time was one of the most educated Russian people, and Emperor Nicholas II, in our time, has the secondary education of a guards colonel of a good family,” this is how the famous statesman under Alexander III and his son Nicholas II Sergei Witte describes the last Russian Tsar.

And to this day, the image of the last sovereign of Russia and his reign evoke very different opinions from both his contemporaries and historians.

Nicholas II was born on May 18, 1868 in Tsarskoe Selo and was the eldest son of Emperor Alexander III and Empress Maria Feodorovna. Historians note that as a result of constant dynastic marriages, by the 20th century there was little Russian blood in the veins of the Romanov kings. Grandmother Louise of Hesse-Kassel, who was also the grandmother of King George V of Great Britain, was a Danish princess and the wife of King Christian IX. For her dynastic ambitions, she was nicknamed "the mother-in-law of all Europe": all her children subsequently took high positions of power in European countries from Great Britain to Greece, and one of her daughters - Princess Maria Sophia Frederica Dagmara - soon became the wife of the Russian Emperor Alexander III, accepting name Maria Fedorovna.

Unlike his strict father, who had an iron will, little Nicky (as he was affectionately called in the family) grew up meek and shy. He received an excellent education, studied Russian and world history, mastered several languages, and subsequently went to military training in the guards in St. Petersburg, as the children of noble and wealthy families in Russia should have done in those days. The chief prosecutor of the Holy Synod, the ideologist of the counter-reforms of Alexander III, aimed at preserving the socio-political life of the Russian Empire, was elected as an educator and mentor. At that time, recovering from numerous unrest and assassination attempts, the father of Nicholas II and his advisers came to the conclusion that the liberal policies of his grandfather, Alexander II, were the cause of numerous murders and unrest, and decided to rely on the development of a powerful army.

During his years of study, Nicholas II made a number of numerous trips to Russia and other countries with his father.

In 1891, a trip to the Japanese town of Otsu was overshadowed by an assassination attempt on Tsarevich Nikolai Alexandrovich, when local policeman Tsuda Sanzo, who came from a samurai family, rushed with a saber at the king’s son sitting in a rickshaw.

Later at the trial it turns out that the attacker is a victim of an “internal conflict”, who allegedly considered the guests to be spies. Fortunately, the wound turned out to be non-fatal, but the frightened Tsarevich was then surprised: how none of the walking string of associates managed to notice the attacker from whom Georgie saved him (the Greek Prince George, who accompanied Nicholas II on the trip).

However, this was only the beginning of a series of difficult events that occurred during the reign of Nicholas II. The meeting of the future Tsar and Princess of Hesse-Darmstadt, daughter of the Hessian sovereign Ludwig IV, and Duchess Alice, daughter of Queen Victoria of England, Alix (derived from Alice and Alexander), becomes a striking event that the spouses recall more than once in their diaries. The wedding was scheduled for November 26, 1894, the birthday of the Tsar’s mother. But shortly before the wedding, the sudden death of Nicholas's father, Alexander III, darkened the family's joy. Possessing heroic strength, the strong and mighty Alexander, who was not yet 50 years old and who seemed to be able to live for many more years, quickly weakened within a month while staying in his palace in Livadia, was no longer able to eat or walk, no sleep. Doctors diagnosed him with a serious kidney disease, which, presumably, was a consequence of the crash of the royal train that occurred six years ago near Kharkov.

Then the royal family survived, but during the crash the roof of the carriage collapsed, which, as they claimed, was supported by Alexander Alexandrovich himself on his shoulders.

Princess Alice converted to Orthodoxy and received the name Alexandra Feodorovna. After the funeral in the Peter and Paul Cathedral, a year of mourning was declared, but the wedding, as planned, was to take place a week later, without waiting the required forty days. “My wedding was a continuation of the funeral, only I was dressed in white,” Empress Alexandra Feodorovna later recalled.

There were many rumors that Nikolai Alexandrovich, having learned about the sudden death of his father, asked to abdicate his future throne. According to the memoirs of Count Sergei Witte, his question to the mother of the future tsar about whether she thought that her eldest son lacked the character of an emperor was answered:

"It's right. But if something happens, Misha must replace him, and he has even less will and character.”

At the beginning of January 1896, the highest manifesto “On the upcoming Holy Coronation of Their Imperial Majesties” was issued. And already on May 14, 1896 (according to the new style - May 26), the solemn coronation of the emperor and his wife took place in the Assumption Cathedral. On May 18, a celebration was scheduled for the people with public festivities on Khodynskoye Field in honor of the coronation: a number of gala concerts and performances were planned, even the journalist of the Lumiere brothers from France, Camille Cerf, came to photograph the solemn event. It was also expected that there would be numerous stalls with free refreshments and commemorative coronation mugs decorated with the royal monogram and a double-headed eagle. The notice of free bread and circuses went around the whole people, and a crowd of people had already gathered the day before on the Khodynka field, on which, in addition, there were numerous ditches.

The tragedy on Khodynka occurred early in the morning, when news reached someone from the waiting crowd that the free distribution of royal gifts had begun.

People rushed one after another to the shops in a thirst to grab gift bags from a cotton scarf with gifts, souvenirs and cod, suffocated in the crowd, fell, walked over their heads, fell into the ill-fated ditches...

According to various sources, from 2 thousand to 4 thousand people died. However, by the day the king arrived at the field, the territory had already been cleared, everything was carefully put in order, as if nothing had happened.

The Chinese ambassador Li Hongzhang, who was present that day along with the emperor’s relatives, asked Minister Sergei Yulievich whether the morning disaster would be reported to the king, and, having received a positive answer, said: “Well, your statesmen are inexperienced, that’s when I was a general.” governor of the Pechili region, then I had a plague and tens of thousands of people died, and I always wrote to Bogdykhan that everything was fine with us, and when they asked me if you had any diseases, I answered:

There are no diseases, the entire population is in the most normal order.”

Soon Nikolai Alexandrovich was informed about the morning tragedy. The event was considered a bad omen for the king and his future reign. However, the decision to continue the celebration with a subsequent visit to the ball was made on the advice of Prince Sergei Alexandrovich (popularly referred to as Prince Khodynsky from then on), one of the most influential persons under the sovereign. This decision is regarded ambiguously by others, as well as the subsequent celebrations and dances of the king at the ball on the same day.

Remembering the holiday, Count Sergei Witte writes: “The Emperor was bored, and, apparently, the disaster made a strong impression on him. And if he had been left, as in many other cases, to himself, that is, if he had listened to his heart, then in relation to this catastrophe and all these celebrations, I am sure he would have acted differently.”

Nicholas II himself recalls this event in his diary as a “sad national holiday.”

The coronation would soon be followed by a 21-year reign, accompanied by Russia's economic, industrial and agricultural expansion, followed by then-record population growth and the reforms of Minister Sergei Witte along with the introduction of the "gold standard". And at the same time - the growth of social tension and numerous strikes, unsuccessful attempts to stop the growing threat of revolutions and the First World War. Contemporaries of Nicholas II differ in their assessments of both the true nature of the tsar and his policies. As the famous historian Pyotr Cherkasov notes, Nicholas II “was neither a despot, much less an executioner of his people, as our official historiography claimed, but during his lifetime he was not a saint, as is sometimes claimed now, although he undoubtedly redeemed everything by martyrdom.” sins and mistakes of his reign. The drama of Nicholas II as a politician lies in his mediocrity, in the discrepancy between the scale of his personality and the challenges of the time.”

In connection with repair and restoration work, visitors enter the Kremlin through the Trinity Gate, and exit through the Borovitsky Gate. Visitors enter and exit the Armory through the Borovitsky Gate.

February 8 from 14:30, February 9 to 14:30, February 14 from 14:30, February 15 to 14:30

The Assumption Cathedral is closed to the public.

From October 1 to May 14

The Moscow Kremlin museums are switching to winter operating hours. The architectural ensemble is open to the public from 10:00 to 17:00, the Armory is open from 10:00 to 18:00. Tickets are sold at the box office from 9:30 to 16:30. Closed on Thursday. Electronic tickets are exchanged in accordance with the terms of the User Agreement.

From October 1 to May 14

The exhibition of the Ivan the Great bell tower is closed to the public.

In order to ensure the safety of monuments in unfavorable weather conditions, access to some cathedral museums may be temporarily limited.

We apologize for any inconvenience caused.

From 6 to May 26, 1896 celebrations dedicated to the coronation took place in Moscow Emperor Nicholas II. In the entire history of Tsarist Russia, this was perhaps the largest and most majestic ceremony of ascension to the throne of a monarch. But few people knew then that it would be overshadowed by the Khodynka tragedy and would become the last imperial coronation in the history of Russia. Today we will talk about how the celebrations took place and how they (except for Khodynka) were remembered.

Preparations for the festivities began long before the celebrations themselves: in January 1896, the Manifesto was published “On the upcoming Holy Coronation of Their Imperial Majesties”, which indicated the time of the coronation - May 1896. The organization was carried out by the Ministry of the Court, headed by Count Vorontsov-Dashkov, and the coronation commission.

By April, Moscow, the center of coronation celebrations, was decorated with triumphal arches, stands, and pavilions. But the most festive was the Kremlin’s “outfit,” which was illuminated with five hundred thousand lights.

In addition to the solemn class, provincial and foreign delegations, many artists and, for the first time, photographers were invited to the coronation. Besides them, the French journalist Camille Cerf, who conducted the first filming in Russia, was at the coronation. Thanks to him, the last Russian coronation remained on film.

The coronation celebrations began on May 6, the emperor’s birthday, and ended on May 26, the day after the birthday of Empress Alexandra Feodorovna. On May 6, they arrived at the Petrovsky Palace near Moscow, and on the 9th, the ceremonial entry of the crowned persons took place.

During the festive period (6 – 26 May) By order of the emperor, huge sums were allocated to be awarded to the poor of Moscow and 22 other Russian cities. These days they dined in the monasteries at the expense of the king.

The coronation of Nicholas II itself took place May 14 in the Assumption Cathedral. It went like this: Nicholas and Alexandra entered the cathedral and bowed to the ground before the altar, then sat on the thrones prepared for them. The Divine Liturgy began, during which the emperor accepted the crown from the clergy and put it on himself, and then he himself crowned the empress with a small crown. After this, the king was anointed and received communion at the altar. All this was accompanied by lengthy prayers and speeches. After the service, the coronation procession began, a visit to the Kremlin cathedrals, which ended with the rise of the Tsar and Tsarina to the Red Porch and their threefold bow to the people. The coronation ended with a festive royal dinner in the Faceted Chamber. On the evening of May 14, Nikolai and Alexandra went out onto the balcony of the Kremlin Palace, from where they turned on the festive illumination.

The rest of the time until May 26, Nikolai and Alexandra spent at ceremonial receptions of delegations and dinners at the Kremlin Palace and at the embassies of the countries. Folk festivities were scheduled for May 18 and were supposed to take place on the Khodynskoye field.

Celebrations for the people were organized throughout the past centuries; this was one of the main traditions. This time, those who came to Khodynka were to be given “royal gifts” - an enamel mug with the initials of the Tsar and Tsarina, Filippov’s cod, half a pound of sausage, Vyazma gingerbread and a bag of sweets and nuts (all wrapped in a beautifully decorated scarf).

Why did the Khodynka tragedy occur, which cannot but be mentioned? Firstly, due to poor organization: the ditches of the field where military maneuvers took place were not filled up, and the number of gifts was not designed for a large mass of people (about half a million people came), in addition, the procedure for transferring gifts and law enforcement (there were only about 1,800 Cossacks on the field).

Secondly, the cause of the tragedy was the mood of the people: people began to come to the festivities scheduled for 10 am long before the morning, wanting to quickly receive the treasured gift. At one point, a rumor spread that the bartenders began saving gifts for themselves, so there wasn’t enough for everyone. A huge mass of people eager to receive the “royal gift” rushed to the shops, which is why the stampede occurred.

In the morning the emperor was informed about the tragedy, after which he ordered to provide the necessary assistance to the victims. However, the celebrations, scheduled and prepared six months earlier, were not canceled, contrary to the expectations of the people. Because of this, the head of Moscow, Prince Sergei, received the nickname “Khodynsky,” and as for Nicholas, society considered the tragedy a bad sign for the new reign.

May 25 The last celebrations dedicated to the birthday of Alexandra Feodorovna took place in the Kremlin Palace, and the next morning the Tsar's Manifesto was published, in which the Emperor thanked the residents of Moscow for the warm welcome and expressed grief over the tragedy that had occurred.

At this point, the coronation celebrations ended and the everyday life of Emperor Nicholas II began. This coronation was remembered both as the most solemn in the history of Russia, and as the most tragic. The events on Khodynka became not so much an omen for the tsar, but an exam: how he would react to such a tragedy and how he would behave in this situation. Emperor Nicholas almost passed this test: he steadfastly accepted the news of this event, allocated all the necessary funds, visited the sick and wounded, but, unfortunately, did not do the most important thing - he did not understand the reasons for Khodynka, did not take from it the experience necessary for the tsar and did not punish the real culprits, which greatly undermined his authority.