November 20, 1909
The Empress of Russia is a very worried woman, according to the Los Angeles Times. Rumors about her health were whispered last winter in St. Petersburg and Moscow, and now have taken a "definite form." Alexandra is described as an "unhappy lady, " who suffers from anxiety and a lack of sleep.
Visits to England, France and Italy have been canceled due to Alexandra being "incapable of seeing anybody or taking interest in anything." Many fear that "it would tax" Alexandra's health if she took part in so many functions.
The Empress is only thirty-seven years old, and several doctors in attendance believe that she can be cured. Other doctors have other views because Alexandra will never recover due to her "anxiety for her son's and her husband's safety".
This is "the secret of her malady." Day and night, Alexandra is "haunted" by the thoughts that the family will be killed.
Alexandra has suffered a nervous collapse.
In the nursery, 5-year-old Alexis, the heir apparent to the throne, reigns supreme, and he "is fully aware of his super social position," and makes his sisters obey him in "everything."
The four grand duchesses Olga, Tatiana, Maria, and Anastasia "are kept very much in the background."
Little Alexis spends much of his day in the "open air" and his sailor nurse has strict orders to let him do anything he likes." Alexis should be "persuaded but must never be forced to obey."
The future Emperor's rooms are searched each day for explosives. and he has never left out of sight of his "faithful attendants."
Alexandra dreads all court functions, as she believes her husband could be killed outright. Unfortunately, "the imperial family have no holidays, no pleasant trips abroad," like King Edward VII.
Alexandra's fragile health, which is rooted in her fears for her family, can only get worse.
1 comment:
prophetic...
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