Grand Duke George Mikhailovich of Russia: Difference between revisions

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			{{Short description\|Russian Imperial and Prince of Prussia}}
	'''Grand Duke George Mikhailovich of Russia''' (]: ''Georgiy Mikhailovich Romanov'', ]: ''Георгий Михайлович Романов'') (born ], ]) is the ] to the disputed Headship of the Imperial Family of Russia, and claims the titles ] and Grand Duke of Russia. He has all his life been styled '''His Imperial Highness Grand Duke George Mikhailovich of Russia''', by grant of his maternal grandfather. George also has the title '''Prince of Prussia''' with the style of ''']'''. He was born in ], the son of ] (at the time styled ''HIH Grand Duke Michael Pavlovich of Russia'') and ]. He has lived in ] and in ]. On ], ], upon the death of his maternal grandfather ], his mother succeeded as the sovereign and ], making him ] and Tsarevitch. His claim to the throne is contested, for reasons detailed in the article on the ]. In ], when he, his mother, and his grandmother Leonida returned to Russia after living in ], one of ] ]'s former bodyguards was assigned as tutor to the 15-year-old prince.
			{{For\|the son of ] and ]\|Grand Duke George Mikhailovich of Russia (1863–1919)}}
			{{Use dmy dates\|date=August 2020}}
			{{Infobox royalty
			\| image = Георгий Михайлович Романов в Приднестровье.jpg
			\| caption = E.I.V. Sovereign Heir Tsarevich and Grand Duke Georgy Mikhailovich in Transnistria
			\| alt = George, aged 29, in suit and tie
			\| full name = George Mikhailovich Romanov
			\| birth_date = {{birth date and age\|df=yes\|1981\|3\|13}}
			\| birth_place = ], ]
			\| spouse = {{marriage\|Rebecca Virginia Bettarini\|24 September 2021}}
			\| issue = Prince Alexander Georgievich Romanov
			\| house = ] (]/claimed) <br /> ] (])
			\| father = ]
			\| mother = ]
			\| religion = ]
			}}
			{{Russian Imperial Family\|Maria}}
			'''Grand Duke George Mikhailovich of Russia''' ({{langx\|ru\|Георгий Михайлович Романов\|Gěorgij Mihajlovič Romanov}}, also spelled ''Romanoff''; {{langx\|de\|Georg Michailowitsch Romanow}}; born 13 March 1981) is the ] to ], a claimant to the disputed Headship of the Imperial Family of Russia.<ref name="petit">de Badts de Cugnac, Chantal. Coutant de Saisseval, Guy. ''Le Petit Gotha''. Nouvelle Imprimerie Laballery, Paris 2002, p. 99, 111, 799 (French) {{ISBN\|2-9507974-3-1}}</ref> He is the only child of Maria and her former husband, ]. George's mother attributes to him the title of '']'' and he bears the prefix of "Grand Duke" with the style of ] which is still being questioned. As the son of a ] member of the branch of the ] which ] the ] and ], he is also sometimes entitled "Prince of Prussia" with the style of ].<ref name="ghda">''Genealogisches Handbuch des Adels, Fürstliche Häuser, Band XIV''. "Haus Preußen". C.A. Starke Verlag, 1991, p. 153. (German) {{ISBN\|3-7980-0700-4}}.</ref>

			==Early life==
	He has since been schooled in the United Kingdom, including at ]. When asked by reporters if he expected the monarchy in Russia to be restored some day, he replied, "I hope so." George is the 110th heir in the ].
			George was born in ] in 1981, the son of ] (daughter and heir of ]<ref name="burkes">{{cite book\|first=Hugh\|last=Montgomery-Massingberd\|year=1973\|title=Burke's Guide to the Royal Family\|publisher=Burke's Peerage\|location=London\|pages=\|isbn=0-220-66222-3\|author-link=Hugh Montgomery-Massingberd\|title-link=Burke's Peerage}}</ref><ref name="ghda"/>) and her husband ] (titled at the time Grand Duke Michael Pavlovich,<ref name="eilers">Eilers, Marlene. Queen Victoria's Descendants. Rosvall Royal Books, Falkoping, Sweden, 1997. pp. 82–84, 127, 152, 173. {{ISBN\|91-630-5964-9}}</ref><ref name="petit"/> son of ] and ]).

			George was baptised on 6 May 1981, in Madrid; his godfather is ]. Also present at the baptism were ] and ] and ] and ].<ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.riuo.org/SUCCESSION_ENGLISH.pdf \|title=Archived copy \|access-date=27 July 2007 \|url-status=dead \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928072551/http://www.riuo.org/SUCCESSION_ENGLISH.pdf \|archive-date=28 September 2007}} Succession to the Imperial throne of Russia.</ref> The announcement that George Mikhailovich would be known as a Russian Grand Duke prompted ], then president of the ], to respond in writing that "The Romanov Family Association hereby declares that the joyful event in the Prussian Royal House does not concern the Romanov Family Association since the newborn prince is not a member of either the Russian Imperial House or of the Romanov family".<ref>Massie p. 264</ref> This response was ignored by ] as he had already selected his daughter to succeed him according to the ], and because the marriage between her and ] was deemed dynastic. Prior to their wedding, the Grand Duke and his first cousin, then Head of the House of Hohenzollern, ], had made a dynastic agreement that any child born from this marriage should be raised as a Romanov. Therefore, George is considered a dynast of both houses (Romanov and Hohenzollern),<ref>{{cite web\|title=Expert on Kirillovich claim\|url=http://www.mk.ru/politics/2021/10/14/mozhet-slozhitsya-tak-chto-rossiyu-spaset-tolko-utverzhdenie-putina-monarkhom.html\|website=MK RU\|date=14 October 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|title=Is Grand Duke George a Romanoff or a Hohenzollern?\|url=http://www.russianlegitimist.org/is-grand-duke-george-a-romanoff-or-a-hohenzollern\|website=RussianLegitimist}}</ref> as his father has never renounced his Prussian royal title.<ref>{{Cite web\|title=Head of the Russian Imperial House, Her Imperial Highness the Grand Duchess (de jure Her Imperial Majesty the Empress of all Russias) Maria Wladimirovna\|url=http://www.imperialhouse.ru/en/imperialhouse-en/chipdom/maria.html\|website=Russian Imperial House}}</ref>
	{{start}}
	{{s-hou\|]\|13 March\|1981\|Living\|\|]}}
	{{s-roy\|ru}}
	{{s-pre}}
	{{s-bef\|before=]}}
	{{s-ttl\|title=]\|years=1<sup>st</sup> position\|reason=}}
	{{s-aft\|after=—}}
	{{s-roy\|uk}}
	{{s-bef\|before=]}}
	{{s-ttl\|title=]\|years=110<sup>th</sup> position\|reason=}}
	{{s-aft\|after=]}}
	{{end}}

			His father, who stopped using his Russian title after his separation, has said of his son, "I have his German passport right here; I always carry it with me. It says he is Prince George of Prussia".{{citation needed\|date=April 2015}}
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]

			George spent the first years of his life in France before moving to Spain.<ref name=profile>{{cite web \|url=http://www.imperialhouse.ru/eng/imperialhouse/chipdom/georgiy.html \|title=Georgii Mikhailovich \|access-date=1 August 2008 \|publisher=imperialhouse.ru \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081222111827/http://www.imperialhouse.ru/eng/imperialhouse/chipdom/georgiy.html \|archive-date=22 December 2008 \|url-status=dead }}</ref> There he and his mother lived, along with his maternal grandmother, in the home of his maternal aunt, Helen Kirby, who inherited a significant fortune from her father, Sumner Moore Kirby.<ref>{{Cite news \| url=http://www.haaretz.com/a-long-memory-for-murder-1.67852 \|title = A Long Memory for Murder\|newspaper = Haaretz\|date = 24 August 2001}}</ref>

			==Education and career==
	]
			George was educated at ] in Madrid, ], Oxford and at ].{{citation needed\|date=April 2015}}
	]

	]
			In Brussels, he worked at the ] where he was an assistant to ], former European Commissioner for Transport and Energy. Later he moved to ] where he was employed at the European Commission's Directorate-General for Atomic Energy and Security.{{citation needed\|date=April 2015}}

			On 12 December 2008, he was appointed an aide to the Director General of ], a major Russian nickel-mining company.<ref>{{Cite web \|url=http://www.nornik.ru/en/press/news/2353/ \|title="Georgy Romanov appointed as Advisor to General Director of MMC Norilsk Nickel". \|access-date=3 January 2009 \|archive-date=27 December 2008 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081227164917/http://www.nornik.ru/en/press/news/2353/ \|url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2012 he was nominated chief executive of Metal Trade Overseas, the main sales hub for Norilsk Nickel in Switzerland.<ref>{{Cite web \| url=http://www.nornik.ru/en/about-norilsk-nickel/sales/our-sales \| title=Норильский никель – Главная страница}}</ref> In 2014 he started his own company, Romanoff & Partners, in Brussels.<ref>{{Cite web \| url=http://www.romanoffpartners.com/ \|title = Romanoff and Partners \| Home}}</ref>

			==Heir to his mother==
			On 21 April 1992, upon the death of his maternal grandfather ], George's mother claimed to have succeeded as the sovereign and ],<ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://www.imperialhouse.ru/eng/imperialhouse/succession.html\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090609161754/http://www.imperialhouse.ru/eng/imperialhouse/succession.html\|url-status=dead\|title=Dynastic Succession\|archive-date=9 June 2009\|access-date=25 September 2020}}</ref> making him, to supporters of his mother, ] and '']''. He visited Russia for the first time shortly thereafter to attend the funeral of his grandfather. His claim to the throne is contested.<ref>{{cite news \|last1=Yourievsky \|first1=Prince George \|title=Prince Dimitri Romanoff \|url=https://yourievsky.net/upload/Romanov_News_105_ENG.pdf \|access-date=31 December 2023 \|issue=105 \|date=January 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web \|last1=Romanoff \|first1=Prince Nikolai Romanovich \|title=Statement on Succession to Imperial Throne of Russia, made 20 March 2010 \|url=http://www.romanovfamily.org/succession.html \|website=Romanovfamily.org \|access-date=31 December 2023}}</ref>

			In 1996, when he, his mother, and his grandmother Leonida returned to Russia after living in ], one of ] ]'s former bodyguards was assigned as tutor to the 15-year-old prince. He was also set to study at a Russian Naval college but these plans were dropped.<ref>{{cite book \|last=Slater \|first=Wendy \|title=The Many Deaths of Tsar Nicholas II \|url=https://archive.org/details/manydeathstsarni00slat \|url-access=limited \|year=2007 \|publisher=Routledge \|isbn=978-0-415-34516-3 \|page= }}</ref>

			On 17 July 2018 he participated, along with his mother, in the ] commemoration of the centenary of the assassinations of Saints ], ] and their children conducted in ] by ].<ref name=tass>]. 17 July 2018. . Retrieved 17 July 2018.</ref>

			==Marriage and issue==
			{{further\|Wedding of Grand Duke George Mikhailovich of Russia and Rebecca Virginia Bettarini}}
			In January 2021, the family announced that George was engaged to marry Victoria Romanovna Bettarini (born Rebecca Virginia Bettarini in Rome on 18 May 1982), having received the permission of Grand Duchess Maria.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Russian Imperial House - 2021-01-20 Announcement of the Upcoming Wedding of His Imperial Highness The Heir, Tsesarevich, and Grand Duke George of Russia and Nob. Victoria Romanovna Bettarini \|url=http://imperialhouse.ru/en/allnews-en/news/2021-01-20-announcement-of-the-upcoming-wedding-of-his-imperial-highness-the-heir-tsesarevich-and-grand-duke-george-of-russia-and-nob-victoria-romanovna-bettarini.html \|website=Russian Imperial House \|access-date=29 September 2021 \|date=20 January 2021}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> His mother decreed that Bettarini would have the title of Princess, with the predicate "Her Serene Highness" and the right to use the surname Romanova from her marriage, which therefore implies that theirs is a ] union.<ref name=":0">{{cite news \|last1=Scarsi \|first1=Alice \|title=Royal wedding! Russian Grand Duke to celebrate imperial nuptials THIS year \|url=https://www.express.co.uk/news/royal/1387143/royal-wedding-2021-grand-duke-george-russia-Victoria-Romanovna-Bettarini-royal-news \|access-date=29 September 2021 \|work=Express \|publisher=Express Newspapers \|date=21 January 2021 \|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|date=19 April 2022 \|title=A Legitimist Response to Criticism of the Engagement of Grand Duke George \|url=https://www.russianlegitimist.org/a-legitimist-response-to-criticism-of-the-engagement-of-grand-duke-george \|website=The Russian Legitimist}}</ref> Victoria Bettarini is the Director of the Russian Imperial Foundation. She is the daughter of Roberto Amedeo Simeone Bettarini (born in ] on 5 May 1947), an Italian diplomat, ] in Luxembourg from 2006 to 2010 and in Brussels from 2010 and 2013, and wife Carla Virginia Cacciatore (born in Rome, ], on 30 April 1945), whom he married in ], ], on 13 August 1977.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Visita del Gran Duque Jorge a San Petersburgo con la Directora de la Fundación de la Rusia Imperial \|url=http://www.ramhg.es/index.php/secciones-fijas/noticias-sobre-casas-reales-y-soberanas-europeas/1277-2020-07-22-23-48-31 \|website=Real Academia Matritense de Heráldica y Geneología \|access-date=29 September 2021 \|language=es\|date=24 July 2020}}</ref>

			They married on 24 September 2021 in a ] in ]. The ] took place on 1 October in ], at ].<ref>{{cite news \|title=HIH Grand Duke George and HSH Princess Victoria Romanoff wed in Moscow Civil Ceremony. \|url=http://www.russianlegitimist.org/news-blog/2021/9/24/hih-grand-duke-george-and-hsh-princess-victoria-romanoff-wed-in-moscow-civil-ceremony \|access-date=29 September 2021 \|work=The Russian Legitimist \|date=24 September 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news \|last1=Black \|first1=Derek \|title=George Mikhailovich and the first "yes" to Rebecca Bettarini: the wedding photos - World Stock Market \|url=https://www.worldstockmarket.net/george-mikhailovich-and-the-first-yes-to-rebecca-bettarini-the-wedding-photos/ \|access-date=29 September 2021 \|work=World Stock Marker \|date=27 September 2021}}</ref> Around 1500 guests attended the ceremony, including ] and his wife ], ], ], ] and his wife ], ], ] and his wife ], ], Prime Minister of Luxembourg and his husband ], ] and his wife ], ] and his wife, born ], Russian monarchist and billionaire ], ], French journalist and socialite ], as well as many members of Russian, Spanish and European nobility.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://primetimezone.com/world/last-czars-heir-of-russia-marries-104-years-after-the-revolution/\|title = Last Czar's Heir of Russia Marries 104 Years After the Revolution » World » Prime Time Zone}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2021/10/01/russia-hosts-first-royal-wedding-in-a-century-in-former-imperial-capital-a75189\|title = Russia Hosts First Royal Wedding in a Century in Former Imperial Capital\|date = October 2021}}</ref>{{Citation needed\|date=September 2023}}<ref>{{cite news \|title=Lavish Russian wedding for Tsar's descendant \|work=BBC News \|date=October 2021 \|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-58767448 \|access-date=1 October 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web\|url = https://fastobserver.com/2021/10/pictorial-russias-first-royal-wedding-since-1917.html\|title = PICTORIAL: Russia's first royal wedding since 1917\|date = October 2021}}{{Dead link\|date=June 2024 \|bot=InternetArchiveBot \|fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

			Following the wedding events, a gala wedding supper was held at the ] in St. Petersburg.<ref>{{cite web \|last1=Cope \|first1=Rebecca \|title=The first Russian royal wedding in 100 years is taking place in St Petersburg today \|url=https://www.tatler.com/article/grand-duke-george-romanov-wedding \|website=taller.com \|date=October 2021 \|publisher=Tatler \|access-date=28 November 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web \|title="Russia: the first royal wedding after the Bolshevik revolution in 1917 \|url=https://www.europeantimes.news/2021/10/russia-the-first-royal-wedding-after-the-bolshevik-revolution-in-1917/ \|website=The European Times \|date=4 October 2021 \|publisher=FMVCS \|access-date=28 November 2021}}</ref> The 500 guests included members of the royal houses of ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and ]. The following day, a ] "]" was hosted by George's mother, the ], held at ] and was attended by a smaller amount of 700 guests before their departures.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.tatler.com/article/grand-duke-george-romanov-wedding\|title = The first Russian royal wedding in 100 years is taking place in St Petersburg today\|date = October 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.townandcountrymag.com/society/tradition/a37824815/george-mikhailovich-romanov-russian-royal-wedding-photos/\|title = See Photos from the First Russian Royal Wedding in 100 Years\|date = October 2021}}</ref>

			===Issue===
			On 22 May 2022, the Imperial House of Russia announced that Princess Victoria was expecting their first child in autumn.<ref>{{Cite web \|title=Великий Князь Георгий Романов on Instagram: "Оповещение от Российского Императорского Дома. Announcement from the Imperial House of Russia" \|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/Cd0SJJBIo6M/ \|access-date=2022-10-02 \|website=Instagram \|language=en}}</ref> Later, on 21 July, the Russian Imperial House announced that the couple were expecting a boy.<ref>{{Cite web \|title=Великий Князь Георгий Романов on Instagram: "Оповещение от Российского Императорского Дома Announcement from the Imperial House of Russia #romanoff #romanov #романовы #романов" \|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CgRifoIIk6i/ \|access-date=2022-10-02 \|website=Instagram \|language=en}}</ref>

			The Grand Duke and Princess Victoria had a son, born in ] on 21 October 2022, who is named Alexander Georgievich Romanov.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.russianlegitimist.org/news-blog/2022/10/21/7hf7k40yuafsaik58ynfow4bobcwy8\|title=Birth of HSH Prince Alexander Georgievich Romanoff\|date=21 October 2022\|access-date=21 October 2022\|publisher=Russian Legitimist\|author=Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna of Russia}}</ref> Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna, a claimant to the throne of the Imperial House of Russia, announced that her first grandchild will be called "] Prince Alexander Georgievich Romanov".<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.russianlegitimist.org/news-blog/2022/10/21/7hf7k40yuafsaik58ynfow4bobcwy8\|title=Birth of HSH Prince Alexander Georgievich Romanoff\|date=21 October 2022\|access-date=21 October 2022\|publisher=Russian Legitimist\|author=Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna of Russia}}</ref>

			Prince Alexander was baptized on 6 December 2022. Prince Alexander's godparents are:
			*];
			*Prince Stephane ];
			*Prince{{citation needed\|date=December 2024}} Mikhail ] (son of ]);
			*] (fourth cousin twice removed);
			*Helen Louise Kirby, Countess Dvinskaya (paternal grandaunt; elder half-sister of his paternal grandmother);
			*Princess Elizabeth ];
			*Oxana Girko;
			*Yulia Abrosina.
			This is the first time a descendant of the House of Romanov has been baptized in Russia since the ].<ref>{{Cite web \|title=The Christening of HSH Prince Alexander Georgievich Romanoff \|url=https://www.russianlegitimist.org/the-christening-of-hsh-prince-alexander-georgievich-romanoff \|access-date=2023-02-15 \|website=The Russian Legitimist \|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|title=Imperial Chancellery Releases Announcement After the Christening of HSH Prince Alexander. \|url=https://www.russianlegitimist.org/news-blog/2022/12/7/nbg1dmwulbrxc85k5ns17w6pnmtwsi \|access-date=2023-02-15 \|website=The Russian Legitimist \|date=7 December 2022 \|language=en-GB}}</ref>

			==Honours==
			=== Russian dynastic honours ===
			* {{flagicon image\|Imperial Standard of the Emperor of Russia (1858–1917).svg}} ]: Knight of the ]<ref name="Register">{{cite web \|title="Register of Orders of Chivalry: Report of the International Commission for Orders of Chivalry; 2016" \|url=http://www.icocregister.org/2016.ICOCRegister.pdf \|website=International commission for orders of chivalry \|access-date=28 November 2021}}</ref>
			* {{flagicon image\|Imperial Standard of the Emperor of Russia (1858–1917).svg}} ]: Knight of the ]<ref name="Register" />
			* {{flagicon image\|Imperial Standard of the Emperor of Russia (1858–1917).svg}} ]: Knight of the ]<ref name="Register" />
			* {{flagicon image\|Imperial Standard of the Emperor of Russia (1858–1917).svg}} ]: Knight Grand Cordon of the ]<ref name="Register" />
			* {{flagicon image\|Imperial Standard of the Emperor of Russia (1858–1917).svg}} ]: Knight Grand Cordon of the ]<ref name="Register" />

			=== German dynastic honours ===
			* {{flagicon image\|Flag of Prussia (1892-1918).svg}} ]: Knight Grand Cross of the ]<ref name="Almanach">{{cite book \|title=Almanach de Gotha \|date=2012 \|publisher=Almanach de Gotha \|isbn=9780953214273 \|pages=315 \|edition=188th }}</ref>

			=== Foreign dynastic honours ===
			* {{flagicon image\|Flag Portugal (1830).svg}} ]: Knight Grand Cross of the ]<ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://www.imperialhouse.ru/rus/allnews/news/2019/21-noyabrya-2019-vizit-na-rodinu-glavy-doma-romanovykh-i-ee-naslednika-po-priglasheniyu-vsemirnogo-russkogo-narodnogo-sobora-i-torzhestvennye-tseremonii-21-noyabrya-2019-goda.html\|title=Российский Императорский Дом - 21 ноября 2019 Визит на Родину Главы Дома Романовых и ее наследника по приглашению Всемирного Русского Народного Собора и торжественные церемонии 21 ноября 2019 года\|website=www.imperialhouse.ru\|access-date=25 September 2020}}</ref>
			* {{flagicon image\|Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg}} ]: Knight Grand Cross of the ]<ref name="Almanach" />
			* {{flagicon image\|Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg}} ]: Knight Grand Cross of the ]<ref name="Almanach" />
			* {{flag\|Sovereign Military Order of Malta}}: ] Knight Grand Cross of ]<ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://www.imperialhouse.ru/en/allnews-en/news/3982.html\|title=Russian Imperial House - Press Release on the Visit to Rome of the Head of the Russian Imperial House, H.I.H. theGrand Duchess Maria of Russia, and H.I.H. theHeir, Tsesarevich and Grand Duke George of Russia, and on Their Imperial Highnesses' Meeting with His Most Eminent Highnes\|website=www.imperialhouse.ru\|access-date=25 September 2020}}</ref>

			=== Ecclesiastical honours ===
			* ]: Medal of Saint Raphael of Brooklyn, 1st Class<ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://www.russianorthodoxchurch.ws/synod/2018/20180514_hihsynod.html\|title=Русская Православная Церковь Заграницей - Официальная Страница\|website=www.russianorthodoxchurch.ws\|access-date=25 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \| url=https://www.synod.com/synod/eng2018/20180514_print_enhihsynod.html \| title=The Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia – Official Website}}</ref><ref group="notes" name="Commander">"For hard work by strengthening the good work of the Imperial Fund for the Study of ] and in connection with the long-term, dedicated and glorious service to the good of the peoples of our Fatherland and the Russian Diaspora".</ref>
			* ]: Order of St. Alexander Nevsky <ref>{{cite web \|title="Цесаревич Георгий Михайлович и Светлейшая Княгиня Виктория Романовна молились на панихиде по Великому Князю Владимиру Кирилловичу и Великой Княгине Леониде Георгиевне в соборе Св. Благоверного Великого Князя Александра Невского в Париже" \|url=http://imperialhouse.ru/rus/allnews/news/2021/2021-12-12-tsesarevich-georgij-mikhajlovich-i-svetlejshaya-knyaginya-viktoriya-romanovna-molilis-na-panikhide-po-velikomu-knyazyu-vladimiru-kirillovichu-i-velikoj-knyagine-leonide-georgievne-v-sobore-sv-blagovernogo-velikogo-knyazya-aleksandra-nevskogo-v.html \|website=Russian Imperial House \|access-date=14 December 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web \|title="H.I.H. Grand Duke George of Russia & H.S.H. the Princess Romanoff visit Paris" \|url=http://www.russianlegitimist.org/news-blog/2021/12/13/hih-grand-duke-george-of-russia-amp-hsh-the-princess-romanoff-visit-paris \|website=Russian Legitimist \|date=13 December 2021 \|access-date=14 December 2021}}</ref> <ref>{{cite web \|title="Panikhide en mémoire de la famille impériale russe" \|url= https://archeveche.eu/panikhide-en-memoire-de-la-famille-imperiale-russe/ \|website= Archevêché des églises orthodoxes de tradition russe en Europe occidentale \|access-date=16 December 2021}}</ref>

			==Ancestry==
			{{ahnentafel
			\|collapsed=yes \|align=center
			\|boxstyle_1=background-color: #fcc;
			\|boxstyle_2=background-color: #fb9;
			\|boxstyle_3=background-color: #ffc;
			\|boxstyle_4=background-color: #bfc;
			\|1= 1. '''Grand Duke George Mikhailovich of Russia'''
			\|2= 2. ]
			\|3= 3. ]
			\|4= 4. ]
			\|5= 5. ]
			\|6= 6. ]
			\|7= 7. ]
			\|8= 8. ]
			\|9= 9. ]
			\|10= 10. Prince Johann George of Schönaich-Carolath
			\|11= 11. ]
			\|12= 12. ]
			\|13= 13. ]
			\|14= 14. ]
			\|15= 15. Helena Złotnicka h. Nowina
			}}

			==Notes==
			{{reflist\|group=notes}}

			==References==
			{{reflist}}

			===Further reading===
			*{{Cite book \|last=Massie \|first=Robert K. \|author-link=Robert K. Massie \|title=The Romanovs The Final Chapter \|year=1995 \|publisher=Jonathan Cape \|isbn=0-224-04192-4 }}

			==External links==
			* {{in lang\|en}}

			{{Russian grand dukes}}
			{{Prussian princes}}
			{{authority control}}

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Latest revision as of 17:49, 30 December 2024

Russian Imperial and Prince of Prussia For the son of Grand Duke Michael Nikolaevich of Russia and Princess Cecilie of Baden, see Grand Duke George Mikhailovich of Russia (1863–1919).

Grand Duke George Mikhailovich of Russia

E.I.V. Sovereign Heir Tsarevich and Grand Duke Georgy Mikhailovich in Transnistria

Born

(1981-03-13) 13 March 1981 (age 43)
Madrid, Kingdom of Spain

Spouse

Rebecca Virginia Bettarini (m. 2021)

Issue

Prince Alexander Georgievich Romanov

Names
George Mikhailovich Romanov

House

Holstein-Gottorp-Romanov (enatic/claimed)
Hohenzollern (agnatic)

Father

Prince Franz Wilhelm of Prussia

Mother

Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna of Russia

Religion

Russian Orthodox

Russian imperial family
Coat of Arms of the Russian Empire
Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna of Russia Grand Duke George Mikhailovich of Russia Princess Inez Romanoff Princess Olga Andreevna Romanoff Princess Dorrit Romanov
Extended imperial family Prince Rostislav Romanov Prince Nikolai Kirillovich Romanov
v t e

Grand Duke George Mikhailovich of Russia (Russian: Георгий Михайлович Романов, romanized: Gěorgij Mihajlovič Romanov, also spelled Romanoff; German: Georg Michailowitsch Romanow; born 13 March 1981) is the heir apparent to Maria Vladimirovna, a claimant to the disputed Headship of the Imperial Family of Russia. He is the only child of Maria and her former husband, Prince Franz Wilhelm of Prussia. George's mother attributes to him the title of Tsesarevich and he bears the prefix of "Grand Duke" with the style of Imperial Highness which is still being questioned. As the son of a cadet member of the branch of the House of Hohenzollern which formerly ruled the German Empire and Kingdom of Prussia, he is also sometimes entitled "Prince of Prussia" with the style of Royal Highness.

Early life

George was born in Madrid in 1981, the son of Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna of Russia (daughter and heir of Vladimir Cyrillovich, Grand Duke of Russia) and her husband Prince Franz Wilhelm of Prussia (titled at the time Grand Duke Michael Pavlovich, son of Prince Karl Franz of Prussia and Princess Henriette of Schönaich-Carolath).

George was baptised on 6 May 1981, in Madrid; his godfather is Constantine II of Greece. Also present at the baptism were King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofía of Spain and Simeon II and Queen Margarita of Bulgaria. The announcement that George Mikhailovich would be known as a Russian Grand Duke prompted Prince Vasili Alexandrovich, then president of the Romanov Family Association, to respond in writing that "The Romanov Family Association hereby declares that the joyful event in the Prussian Royal House does not concern the Romanov Family Association since the newborn prince is not a member of either the Russian Imperial House or of the Romanov family". This response was ignored by Grand Duke Vladimir as he had already selected his daughter to succeed him according to the Pauline laws, and because the marriage between her and Prince Franz Wilhelm of Prussia was deemed dynastic. Prior to their wedding, the Grand Duke and his first cousin, then Head of the House of Hohenzollern, Prince Louis Ferdinand of Prussia, had made a dynastic agreement that any child born from this marriage should be raised as a Romanov. Therefore, George is considered a dynast of both houses (Romanov and Hohenzollern), as his father has never renounced his Prussian royal title.

His father, who stopped using his Russian title after his separation, has said of his son, "I have his German passport right here; I always carry it with me. It says he is Prince George of Prussia".

George spent the first years of his life in France before moving to Spain. There he and his mother lived, along with his maternal grandmother, in the home of his maternal aunt, Helen Kirby, who inherited a significant fortune from her father, Sumner Moore Kirby.

Education and career

George was educated at Runnymede College in Madrid, D'Overbroeck's College, Oxford and at St Benet's Hall, Oxford.

In Brussels, he worked at the European Parliament where he was an assistant to Loyola de Palacio, former European Commissioner for Transport and Energy. Later he moved to Luxembourg where he was employed at the European Commission's Directorate-General for Atomic Energy and Security.

On 12 December 2008, he was appointed an aide to the Director General of MMC Norilsk Nickel, a major Russian nickel-mining company. In 2012 he was nominated chief executive of Metal Trade Overseas, the main sales hub for Norilsk Nickel in Switzerland. In 2014 he started his own company, Romanoff & Partners, in Brussels.

Heir to his mother

On 21 April 1992, upon the death of his maternal grandfather Grand Duke Vladimir Cyrillovich, George's mother claimed to have succeeded as the sovereign and Curatrix of the Throne of Russia, making him, to supporters of his mother, heir-apparent and tsesarevich. He visited Russia for the first time shortly thereafter to attend the funeral of his grandfather. His claim to the throne is contested.

In 1996, when he, his mother, and his grandmother Leonida returned to Russia after living in Madrid, one of President Boris Yeltsin's former bodyguards was assigned as tutor to the 15-year-old prince. He was also set to study at a Russian Naval college but these plans were dropped.

On 17 July 2018 he participated, along with his mother, in the liturgical commemoration of the centenary of the assassinations of Saints Nicholas II, Empress Alexandra Feodorovna and their children conducted in Yekaterinburg by Patriarch Kirill I of Moscow.

Marriage and issue

Further information: Wedding of Grand Duke George Mikhailovich of Russia and Rebecca Virginia Bettarini

In January 2021, the family announced that George was engaged to marry Victoria Romanovna Bettarini (born Rebecca Virginia Bettarini in Rome on 18 May 1982), having received the permission of Grand Duchess Maria. His mother decreed that Bettarini would have the title of Princess, with the predicate "Her Serene Highness" and the right to use the surname Romanova from her marriage, which therefore implies that theirs is a morganatic union. Victoria Bettarini is the Director of the Russian Imperial Foundation. She is the daughter of Roberto Amedeo Simeone Bettarini (born in Taranto on 5 May 1947), an Italian diplomat, ambassador in Luxembourg from 2006 to 2010 and in Brussels from 2010 and 2013, and wife Carla Virginia Cacciatore (born in Rome, Italy, on 30 April 1945), whom he married in Kinshasa, Zaire, on 13 August 1977.

They married on 24 September 2021 in a civil ceremony in Moscow. The religious wedding took place on 1 October in Saint Petersburg, at Saint Isaac's Cathedral. Around 1500 guests attended the ceremony, including King Simeon II of Bulgaria and his wife Queen Margarita, King Fuad II of Egypt, Prince Mohammed bin Hamad of Qatar, Duarte Pio, Duke of Braganza and his wife Isabel, Duchess of Braganza, Prince Emanuele Filiberto, Prince of Piedmont, Leka, Crown Prince of Albania and his wife Crown Princess Elia, Xavier Bettel, Prime Minister of Luxembourg and his husband Gauthier Destenay, Prince Louis de Bourbon and his wife Princess Maria Margarita de Bourbon, Prince Aimone, 6th Duke of Aosta and his wife, born Princess Olga of Greece, Russian monarchist and billionaire Konstantin Malofeev, Sarah Fabergé, French journalist and socialite Stéphane Bern, as well as many members of Russian, Spanish and European nobility.

Following the wedding events, a gala wedding supper was held at the Russian Museum of Ethnography in St. Petersburg. The 500 guests included members of the royal houses of Albania, Afghanistan, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Egypt, France, Greece, Italy, Liechtenstein, Portugal, Prussia, Qatar, and Spain. The following day, a Wedding breakfast "à la Russe" was hosted by George's mother, the Grand Duchess Maria, held at Constantine Palace and was attended by a smaller amount of 700 guests before their departures.

Issue

On 22 May 2022, the Imperial House of Russia announced that Princess Victoria was expecting their first child in autumn. Later, on 21 July, the Russian Imperial House announced that the couple were expecting a boy.

The Grand Duke and Princess Victoria had a son, born in Moscow on 21 October 2022, who is named Alexander Georgievich Romanov. Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna, a claimant to the throne of the Imperial House of Russia, announced that her first grandchild will be called "His Serene Highness Prince Alexander Georgievich Romanov".

Prince Alexander was baptized on 6 December 2022. Prince Alexander's godparents are:

Prince Joachim Murat, Prince of Pontecorvo;
Prince Stephane Belosselsky-Belozersky;
Prince Mikhail Orlov (son of Princess Fadia of Egypt);
Princess Olga, Duchess of Aosta (fourth cousin twice removed);
Helen Louise Kirby, Countess Dvinskaya (paternal grandaunt; elder half-sister of his paternal grandmother);
Princess Elizabeth Lopoukhina;
Oxana Girko;
Yulia Abrosina.

This is the first time a descendant of the House of Romanov has been baptized in Russia since the Russian Revolution.

Honours

Ancestry

Ancestors of Grand Duke George Mikhailovich of Russia

8. Prince Joachim of Prussia

4. Prince Karl Franz of Prussia

9. Princess Marie-Auguste of Anhalt

2. Prince Franz Wilhelm of Prussia

10. Prince Johann George of Schönaich-Carolath

5. Princess Henriette of Schönaich-Carolath

11. Princess Hermine Reuss of Greiz

1. Grand Duke George Mikhailovich of Russia

12. Cyril Vladimirovich, Grand Duke of Russia

6. Vladimir Cyrillovich, Grand Duke of Russia

13. Princess Victoria Melita of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha

3. Maria Vladimirovna, Grand Duchess of Russia

14. Prince George Bagration of Mukhrani

7. Princess Leonida Bagration of Mukhrani

15. Helena Złotnicka h. Nowina

Notes

"For hard work by strengthening the good work of the Imperial Fund for the Study of Oncology and in connection with the long-term, dedicated and glorious service to the good of the peoples of our Fatherland and the Russian Diaspora".

References

^ de Badts de Cugnac, Chantal. Coutant de Saisseval, Guy. Le Petit Gotha. Nouvelle Imprimerie Laballery, Paris 2002, p. 99, 111, 799 (French) ISBN 2-9507974-3-1
^ Genealogisches Handbuch des Adels, Fürstliche Häuser, Band XIV. "Haus Preußen". C.A. Starke Verlag, 1991, p. 153. (German) ISBN 3-7980-0700-4.
Montgomery-Massingberd, Hugh (1973). Burke's Guide to the Royal Family. London: Burke's Peerage. pp. 297, 302. ISBN 0-220-66222-3.
Eilers, Marlene. Queen Victoria's Descendants. Rosvall Royal Books, Falkoping, Sweden, 1997. pp. 82–84, 127, 152, 173. ISBN 91-630-5964-9
"Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 27 July 2007.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) Succession to the Imperial throne of Russia.
Massie p. 264
"Expert on Kirillovich claim". MK RU. 14 October 2021.
"Is Grand Duke George a Romanoff or a Hohenzollern?". RussianLegitimist.
"Head of the Russian Imperial House, Her Imperial Highness the Grand Duchess (de jure Her Imperial Majesty the Empress of all Russias) Maria Wladimirovna". Russian Imperial House.
"Georgii Mikhailovich". imperialhouse.ru. Archived from the original on 22 December 2008. Retrieved 1 August 2008.
"A Long Memory for Murder". Haaretz. 24 August 2001.
""Georgy Romanov appointed as Advisor to General Director of MMC Norilsk Nickel"". Archived from the original on 27 December 2008. Retrieved 3 January 2009.
"Норильский никель – Главная страница".
"Romanoff and Partners | Home".
"Dynastic Succession". Archived from the original on 9 June 2009. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
Yourievsky, Prince George (January 2016). "Prince Dimitri Romanoff" (PDF). No. 105. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
Romanoff, Prince Nikolai Romanovich. "Statement on Succession to Imperial Throne of Russia, made 20 March 2010". Romanovfamily.org. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
Slater, Wendy (2007). The Many Deaths of Tsar Nicholas II. Routledge. p. 56. ISBN 978-0-415-34516-3.
Tass. 17 July 2018. Patriarch Kirill I Leads Procession Commemorating Slain Czarist Family. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
"Russian Imperial House - 2021-01-20 Announcement of the Upcoming Wedding of His Imperial Highness The Heir, Tsesarevich, and Grand Duke George of Russia and Nob. Victoria Romanovna Bettarini". Russian Imperial House. 20 January 2021. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
^ Scarsi, Alice (21 January 2021). "Royal wedding! Russian Grand Duke to celebrate imperial nuptials THIS year". Express. Express Newspapers. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
"A Legitimist Response to Criticism of the Engagement of Grand Duke George". The Russian Legitimist. 19 April 2022.
"Visita del Gran Duque Jorge a San Petersburgo con la Directora de la Fundación de la Rusia Imperial". Real Academia Matritense de Heráldica y Geneología (in Spanish). 24 July 2020. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
"HIH Grand Duke George and HSH Princess Victoria Romanoff wed in Moscow Civil Ceremony". The Russian Legitimist. 24 September 2021. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
Black, Derek (27 September 2021). "George Mikhailovich and the first "yes" to Rebecca Bettarini: the wedding photos - World Stock Market". World Stock Marker. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
"Last Czar's Heir of Russia Marries 104 Years After the Revolution » World » Prime Time Zone".
"Russia Hosts First Royal Wedding in a Century in Former Imperial Capital". October 2021.
"Lavish Russian wedding for Tsar's descendant". BBC News. October 2021. Retrieved 1 October 2021.
"PICTORIAL: Russia's first royal wedding since 1917". October 2021.
Cope, Rebecca (October 2021). "The first Russian royal wedding in 100 years is taking place in St Petersburg today". taller.com. Tatler. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
""Russia: the first royal wedding after the Bolshevik revolution in 1917". The European Times. FMVCS. 4 October 2021. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
"The first Russian royal wedding in 100 years is taking place in St Petersburg today". October 2021.
"See Photos from the First Russian Royal Wedding in 100 Years". October 2021.
"Великий Князь Георгий Романов on Instagram: "Оповещение от Российского Императорского Дома. Announcement from the Imperial House of Russia"". Instagram. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
"Великий Князь Георгий Романов on Instagram: "Оповещение от Российского Императорского Дома Announcement from the Imperial House of Russia #romanoff #romanov #романовы #романов"". Instagram. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna of Russia (21 October 2022). "Birth of HSH Prince Alexander Georgievich Romanoff". Russian Legitimist. Retrieved 21 October 2022.
Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna of Russia (21 October 2022). "Birth of HSH Prince Alexander Georgievich Romanoff". Russian Legitimist. Retrieved 21 October 2022.
"The Christening of HSH Prince Alexander Georgievich Romanoff". The Russian Legitimist. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
"Imperial Chancellery Releases Announcement After the Christening of HSH Prince Alexander". The Russian Legitimist. 7 December 2022. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
^ ""Register of Orders of Chivalry: Report of the International Commission for Orders of Chivalry; 2016"" (PDF). International commission for orders of chivalry. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
^ Almanach de Gotha (188th ed.). Almanach de Gotha. 2012. p. 315. ISBN 9780953214273.
"Российский Императорский Дом - 21 ноября 2019 Визит на Родину Главы Дома Романовых и ее наследника по приглашению Всемирного Русского Народного Собора и торжественные церемонии 21 ноября 2019 года". www.imperialhouse.ru. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
"Russian Imperial House - Press Release on the Visit to Rome of the Head of the Russian Imperial House, H.I.H. theGrand Duchess Maria of Russia, and H.I.H. theHeir, Tsesarevich and Grand Duke George of Russia, and on Their Imperial Highnesses' Meeting with His Most Eminent Highnes". www.imperialhouse.ru. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
"Русская Православная Церковь Заграницей - Официальная Страница". www.russianorthodoxchurch.ws. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
"The Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia – Official Website".
""Цесаревич Георгий Михайлович и Светлейшая Княгиня Виктория Романовна молились на панихиде по Великому Князю Владимиру Кирилловичу и Великой Княгине Леониде Георгиевне в соборе Св. Благоверного Великого Князя Александра Невского в Париже"". Russian Imperial House. Retrieved 14 December 2021.
""H.I.H. Grand Duke George of Russia & H.S.H. the Princess Romanoff visit Paris"". Russian Legitimist. 13 December 2021. Retrieved 14 December 2021.
""Panikhide en mémoire de la famille impériale russe"". Archevêché des églises orthodoxes de tradition russe en Europe occidentale. Retrieved 16 December 2021.

External links

Official Website of the Russian Imperial Family (in English)

v t e Grand Dukes of Russia
The generations are numbered from Peter I of Russia
1st generation	Tsarevich Alexei Petrovich
2nd generation	Peter II Peter III
3rd generation	Paul I
4th generation	Alexander I Grand Duke Constantine Pavlovich Nicholas I Grand Duke Michael Pavlovich
5th generation	Alexander II Grand Duke Constantine Nikolaevich Grand Duke Nicholas Nikolaevich Grand Duke Michael Nikolaevich
6th generation	Tsarevich Nicholas Alexandrovich Alexander III Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich Grand Duke Alexei Alexandrovich Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich Grand Duke Paul Alexandrovich Grand Duke Nicholas Konstantinovich Grand Duke Konstantine Konstantinovich Grand Duke Dmitri Konstantinovich Grand Duke Vyacheslav Konstantinovich Grand Duke Nicholas Nikolaevich Grand Duke Peter Nikolaevich Grand Duke Nicholas Mikhailovich Grand Duke Michael Mikhailovich Grand Duke George Mikhailovich Grand Duke Alexander Mikhailovich Grand Duke Sergei Mikhailovich Grand Duke Alexei Mikhailovich
7th generation	Nicholas II Grand Duke Alexander Alexandrovich Grand Duke George Alexandrovich Grand Duke Michael Alexandrovich Grand Duke Kirill Vladimirovich Grand Duke Boris Vladimirovich Grand Duke Andrew Vladimirovich Grand Duke Dmitri Pavlovich Grand Duke John Konstantinovich
8th generation	Tsesarevich Alexei Nikolaevich Grand Duke Vladimir Kirillovich
9th generation	Grand Duke Michael Pavlovich
10th generation	Grand Duke George Mikhailovich
born a Grand Duke, but stripped of his title by Alexander III's ukase of 1886, limiting the style to sons and male-line grandsons of a tsar title of pretence granted by Grand Duke Kirill Vladimirovich as claimant to the Russian throne title of pretence granted by Grand Duke Vladimir Kirillovich as claimant to the Russian throne

v t e Princes of Prussia
The generations are numbered from the ascension of Frederick I as King in Prussia in 1701.
1st generation	Frederick William I
2nd generation	Frederick II Prince Augustus William Prince Henry Prince Augustus Ferdinand
3rd generation	Frederick William II Prince Henry Prince Louis Ferdinand Prince Augustus
4th generation	Frederick William III Prince Louis Prince Henry Prince William
5th generation	Frederick William IV William I Prince Charles Prince Albert Prince Frederick Prince Adalbert Prince Waldemar
6th generation	Frederick III Prince Friedrich Karl Prince Albert Prince Alexander Prince George
7th generation	William II Prince Henry Prince Sigismund Prince Waldemar Prince Friedrich Leopold Prince Friedrich Heinrich Albrecht Prince Joachim Albert Prince Friedrich Wilhelm
8th generation	Crown Prince Wilhelm Prince Eitel Friedrich Prince Adalbert Prince August Wilhelm Prince Oskar Prince Joachim Prince Waldemar Prince Sigismund Prince Henry Prince Friedrich Sigismund Prince Frederick Charles Prince Friedrich Leopold
9th generation	Prince Wilhelm^• Prince Louis Ferdinand Prince Hubertus Prince Frederick Prince Wilhelm Viktor Prince Alexander Ferdinand^• Prince Wilhelm-Karl^§ Prince Karl Franz
10th generation	Prince Michael^§ ^• Prince Oskar^§ Prince Franz Wilhelm^§
11th generation	Prince Georg Friedrich^§ Grand Duke George Mikhailovich of Russia^§
^§ born after the abolishment of monarchy by the Weimar Constitution ^• Forfeit rights to the succession

Categories:

Latest revision as of 17:49, 30 December 2024

Early life

Education and career

Heir to his mother

Marriage and issue

Issue

Honours

Russian dynastic honours

German dynastic honours

Foreign dynastic honours

Ecclesiastical honours

Ancestry

Notes

References

Further reading

External links