A new lord. The four brothers of Alexander III - the support of the young emperor Nicholas II The fall of 1894 became a time of severe trials for the imperial family. After the death of Emperor Alexander III, the Russian throne passed to his eldest son Tsarevich Nikolai Alexandrovich, who became Emperor Nicholas II.
The young sovereign was only 26 years old. He had to not only survive the death of his beloved father, but also take on enormous responsibility for the fate of the Russian Empire.
During these days, by the side of the young emperor were his mother, the Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna, his brothers and sisters, as well as his daughter-in-law Princess Alix of Hesse and his closest relatives, the four younger brothers of the late Alexander III, the Grand Dukes Vladimir, Alexei, Sergei and Pavel Alexandrovich. Each of them represented the older generation of the Imperial House and had significant experience in military, state and court service.
Alexei Volkov, who served under Pavel Alexandrovich, left a particularly interesting testimony about this. According to his memoirs, Pavel Alexandrovich, together with Sergei Alexandrovich, hastily arrived in the Crimea after the news of the deterioration of the emperor's brother's health.
On the morning of October 20 (November 2), 1894, it was Pavel Alexandrovich who informed close associates of the death of Alexander III. He allowed the workers to say goodbye to the late emperor.
Volkov recalled how, after the funeral ceremony, those present swore to the new Emperor Nicholas II. Thus ended the reign of Alexander III and his son's new one began. Uncles and the Young Emperor For Nicholas II, the presence of his father's brothers was of particular importance. These were people who knew Alexander III well, participated in the state life of Russia and could share their experience with the new sovereign.
It is especially indicative of the additional correspondence of Nicholas II with Sergei Alexandrovich.