What, from the standpoint of our time, did they do for Russia? What path did the royal dynasty and an ordinary family go through?

400 years sounds beautiful, but, as the Romanovs themselves admit today, “we reigned for three centuries, and on the fourth they put us out the door,” says Ivan Artsishevsky, official representative in Russia of the Association of Members of the Romanov Family. - Seriously, during the reign of the dynasty there were ups and downs, crises and the flourishing of the state. In 1913, Russia entered one of the strongest. We fed the whole world with grain. The French franc cost 37, and the German mark 47 Russian kopecks. In France, books about the successes of our economy were banned so as not to cause panic among the local population. The borders of the country then stretched from Warsaw to Vladivostok. In many ways, this is the merit of the Romanovs.

Raised 18 kings

- For four centuries the dynasty brought up 18 kings. Who, in your opinion, was the brightest person?

I am most impressed by Alexander I. From his tutor, a Swiss Jacobin, he absorbed the ideas of liberalism and followed these principles. He wanted to get rid of serfdom, to free the peasants, but then it was not possible to do this. He united the people in the Patriotic War of 1812, and then led the European coalition of powers. And even the uprising of the Decembrists became possible thanks to the mood that prevailed in the society of that time.

The last Russian Emperor Nicholas II owned a sixth of the land, but lost everything in a few days. How could this happen?

This is a chain of causes, coincidences of circumstances. The emperor was not a very decisive person, he often hesitated, and the incurable illness of the heir became a personal tragedy. Many ill-wishers took advantage of this, and there was also outright betrayal. Even among loved ones. The cousin of Nicholas II, Kirill Vladimirovich, openly supported the revolution and the arrest of the emperor, saying in an interview that "the hydra of despotism has been struck down for centuries." And the church? On March 2, the tsar abdicates the throne, and already on the 7th, all the dioceses received a decree from the Synod canceling the prayer "For the Tsar." Why be surprised that then they began to drop crosses, break bells, and arrange warehouses and vegetable stores in churches. Of course, it was a mistake that the tsar did not support Stolypin's reforms, although he accepted the challenges of the times. For example, the famous plan for economic transformation and large-scale electrification of Russia, which the Bolsheviks were so proud of, was developed under his rule long before 1917.

- You talk about betrayal among your own, but even now there is a split in the family ...

This ugly story has been going on since 1924, when the same Kirill Vladimirovich arbitrarily proclaimed himself emperor. I was born and raised abroad, my parents were active in emigration, and I remember very well that the majority of representatives of the movement did not seriously recognize the “Kirilloviches”. Therefore, the fact that today his granddaughter, Maria Vladimirovna, declares herself the head of the imperial house, causes a strong protest from family members. At the very least, it is surprising that she distributes titles of nobility, orders, and many famous people, including State Duma deputies, the leadership of the Prosecutor General's Office, accept them with pleasure. I will add that among themselves the Romanovs agreed not to fight for the throne, because for a long time ... the throne itself is gone.

The king worked in a factory

At the top, they could do anything. However, children, for example, were kept in strictness, and they themselves often set examples of high morality. How was this attitude to power formed?

The king understood that he would give the children a heavy burden of responsibility for running the state, so they were brought up in asceticism. They also taught to reason, think, a lot of time was devoted to intellectual pursuits. This is what is done today in monarchical houses. The Swedish Crown Princess Victoria, for example, who is being prepared for the high role of queen, served in the army without any discounts: she cleaned her boots, ran with full gear, spent the night in a tent. The grandson of Elizabeth II Harry is a helicopter pilot, more than once participated in the hostilities in Afghanistan.

- Today there are more than 100 Romanovs, 20 are heirs in a straight line. Where do they live, what do they do?

Scattered all over the world, even in Uruguay, and, unfortunately, the younger ones hardly speak Russian. The elder and head of the family, Nikolai Romanov (great-great-grandson of Nicholas I - ed.), is 90 years old, at his home in Italy and Switzerland. His wife, Sveva Gerardresca, is also of a noble European family; her three daughters are married to Italian politicians. His brother, Prince Dimitri, is 86. He held a responsible position in one of the banks in Copenhagen, so now he lives on a pension. Most of the Romanovs these days are not the idle aristocracy that many make it out to be. They work in offices, banks, various firms. The wife of Dimitri Romanov, Princess Dorrit, for example, knows five languages ​​herself and owns a company where they make translations, including for government agencies. If we talk about young people, then 32-year-old Georgy Romanov, for example, works as an adviser at Norilsk Nickel.

Recently, jewelers showed the crown of the Russian Empire at Lenexpo. And although it was only a copy, it is still breathtaking from what he saw. And did the descendants of the dynasty have any rarities that tell about the former greatness?

The Romanovs left their homeland not rich and not of their own free will, so there are no valuables. Moreover, life forced to take on any job. Nikolai Romanov was engaged in the sale of tobacco, gained experience in an insurance company. At the age of 19, Dimitri started as a mechanic at a Ford plant in Egypt and worked there for 6 years. He joked that the descendants of an American capitalist were exploiting a descendant of Russian tsars. Then he sold cars, worked in a shipping company. By the way, in 1993, with his wife Dorrit, they founded the Romanovs for Russia Foundation, which helps disadvantaged people and sick children. And in the same year they got married in Kostroma, the historical homeland of the Romanovs. From here, in 1613, the 16-year-old boyar Mikhail, the first of the dynasty, was called to the kingdom.

70 grams of bones

Since 1998, the ashes of the Romanovs have been buried in the Peter and Paul Cathedral. But how to explain that the remains of two children of Nicholas II - Mary and the Tsarevich - have not yet been buried?

There are 70 grams of bones in the Russian state archive... There is no doubt that the remains are genuine. This is confirmed by the investigative committee, scientists, geneticists from different countries. Blood was taken from Dimitri Romanov for analysis, and the family connection was fully confirmed. The problem is in the position of individual hierarchs of the church, who stubbornly, without explaining anything, say “no”. The Patriarch can say “yes”, end all disputes, and one would like to hope that he will do it.

It's a paradox, but in Russia even prominent economists dream of a monarchy, these traditions are also popular in Europe. Why do people want to go back in the 21st century?

Today, many people imagine the monarchy as beautiful weddings of princes and princesses, receptions in palaces. But above all, it is a system, an institution based on spiritual foundations, faith, and the moral responsibility of the monarch himself. People who provide those spiritual bonds that are so lacking in our society. I think that we are not ready for the monarchy now. And the date of the 400th anniversary is more likely to be needed to remember history, its lessons, comprehend the experience of the past and emphasize the connection of times. Today, the Romanovs often come to their historical homeland. And although it is difficult for them to understand modern Russia, they believe that the country will be rich and strong, and the people will be free.

Prologue. ==========

They are scattered around the world

Like all stones and water on earth.

Alone in the impenetrable wilderness,

The other is a school star.

And the one that the first is calm and smart.

The second is eccentric and a little proud.

The blonde is so easy to communicate with.

Talk to a brunette only with permission.

And so close, yet far away...

Their relationship is not easy.

And hatred in them for each other,

Much more than love.

And so, breaking the stereotypes,

Sister sister needs to be accepted ...

Get along and try

To understand each other a little.

And through the years and distances,

Not listening to the protests of souls.

We let them connect

Two sides of the same coin...

The airport. A place that is a constant witness to tears. Tears at a meeting, tears at parting.

So another family parted for an indefinite period.

Two twin girls of five years old are standing, hugging

Honey, you know this is my lifelong dream. I cannot miss this opportunity.

Dad, don't fly away! - the baby whimpers.

Her father sits down next to her and kisses her on the nose.

Katrin, don't cry, we'll fly in for Christmas.

Christmas is not far away! - echoes her sister.

It is now the mother's turn to comfort her daughter. She hugs her tightly and smiles.

Magdalene, be a good girl, listen to your dad. We'll see you soon.

When the father takes the baby by the hand, the sisters hardly tear themselves away from each other, tears flow down their small cheeks.

So long, Lin.

So long, Rin.

When the father and daughter reach the terminal, the girl takes her mother by the hand and drags her to the glass wall of the airport building in order to look at her sister and father all the way to the plane ...

Commentary on the Prologue.

Don't be lazy. Write a few words about what you think about what is happening)))

Chapter 1. Lin. ==========

12 years later. India.

I sat on the veranda at home and did my homework. The sound of an engine was heard, and a car stopped in front of the house. Dad came out of it.

Dad! I exclaimed and ran towards him.

Hello, dear, - he picked me up and hugged me.

Finally. I was already starting to worry, I pulled away.

I'm sorry, there were some difficulties, - dad smiled.

Do you want to eat?

No. Never again, my father shook his head.

Are you leaving again? - I was upset.

Yes, I'm sorry, - dad said sadly, hugging me by the shoulders.

How's that kid you went to see? What about him? I asked when we entered the house.

I don't know, - papa said after a pause. - Bring me my blue bag with the first aid kit.

Everything is bad? - Returning, I gave my father things and sat down opposite. Papa was silent. - Pa?

He has leukemia,” he finally answered.

And do nothing? I whispered.

No, unfortunately, - shook his head father.

Kid, this is a very poor village. They even...

I will go with you, - without listening to my father, I said and ran upstairs.

Lin, what are you thinking? Dad followed me.

I'll just hang out with them for a while. I'll try to distract.

It worked last time.

You don't know their language and...

So what? Who cares! There will be a translator! You are talking! I said firmly.

I can't convince you, - dad sighed.

No, I shook my head.

Good. Take warm clothes. It's cool there in the evening, - said the father and went out.

Quickly packing my bag, I went downstairs and got into the car.

Hello, Rami, - I smiled at the translator.

Hello, the man smiled. Are you sure you want to go there? It's not too late to refuse.

Late, - I said, fastening my seat belt ....

We spent the next few days in the village. Probably if I had never been anywhere before, I would be horrified at the conditions in which people live. But in my life I have seen so much that it did not come as a shock to me.

With a sick baby, a sweet boy of three years, there were no problems in the language barrier, because he hardly spoke. Yes, and with his family, I adapted to communicate with gestures. As a result, while dad is conducting tests, I entertained the baby, trying to distract him from everything that was happening around. In the end, even the boy's family cheered up. When we left, the whole village saw us off with a smile. Dad, though he could do little, but still helped ....

Tired? my father asked as we approached the house.

A little bit,” I said, yawning. - You just need to sleep.

That's right, - dad kissed me on the forehead.

So sorry for all of them. There's nothing we can do about it," I said.

We did our best, dear. It already means a lot to them.

Yes, you're right, I nodded.

I'm proud of you, - dad smiled.

I didn’t do anything,” I said, looking up at him.

You're wrong. You helped me a lot, thanks.

Nothing, I smiled.

A descendant of Pushkin became the youngest billionaire in Britain, his fortune is estimated at 12 billion dollars. The 25-year-old billionaire inherited this money from his father, who ranked 68th in the ranking of the richest people in the world according to Forbes.

25-year-old Hugh Grosvenor is the youngest billionaire in the UK, he recently lost his father and became the heir to a huge fortune. Estates across the country, land in the most expensive areas, including close to Buckingham Palace in London. The Grosvenor Group owns real estate on five continents. The total family fortune is more than 9 billion pounds.

British media report that all this wealth, along with the title of Duke of Westminster, will now go to the son of Gerald Grosvenor, who died of a heart attack. Moreover, he also has three daughters.

“I can assume that it is most likely the idea that there is a will. Since the legislation in England, as well as in Europe, and in Russia is based on the fact that the priority of the will. The testator can bequeath everything that belongs to him, anyone, it can be a son, daughter, any outsider who is not related to the family," explained Kira Koruma, a lawyer.

The young Duke of Westminster is not only fabulously wealthy. Theoretically, he can even take the English throne - however, he is only 647th in line. Hugh Grosvenor can claim to become a monarch thanks to his mother, who is a distant relative of the royal family. She also has Russian roots associated with the royal house of the Romanovs and the poet Pushkin. Natalya Grovenor is the great-great-great-granddaughter of Alexander Sergeevich. At one time, the great-granddaughter of the writer Anastasia married the British diamond tycoon Harold Werner. Natalia, the mother of a young billionaire, is their granddaughter.

Now Pushkin's family tree has 58 branches, 58 different surnames. More than 200 descendants of the poet around the world - in France, Great Britain, USA, Switzerland, Morocco.

Not so long ago, the great-great-great-grandson of the writer, the Belgian baron Alexander von Grevenitz, moved to the homeland of the famous ancestor from Tunisia. For several months he has been living in Kazan with his family.

"The people here are very kind. It's a big city where different cultures are mixed, and it's very interesting for us. My wife is a Muslim, I'm a Christian," says Alexander von Grevenitz.

Now he is learning Russian. True, he still cannot read the original works of the famous ancestor. Among the descendants of Pushkin are doctors, biologists, historians, entrepreneurs. And not a single poet. There is even a legend that Alexander Sergeevich forbade his relatives to write poetry - after all, it will not work better than his.