Did Tsar Nicholas II Regret Marrying Alexandra, a German Princess, Instead of a Royal Bride?

The question of whether Tsar Nicholas II of Russia regretted marrying Alexandra, a German princess and granddaughter of Queen Victoria, is often brought up in historical discussions. Let's delve into the facts to understand why such an assumption is unfounded.

First, it is crucial to clarify that Alexandra was not a commoner. Her father, Grand Duke Georgi Alexandrovich, was a member of the royal family, and her maternal grandmother was none other than Queen Victoria of Great Britain. Therefore, Alexandra was already of royal blood and not a mere commoner.

Marriage to a Royal Bride

Throughout the history of European royal families, there existed a tradition of marrying within the nobility to maintain bloodlines and alliances. For centuries, the royal houses of Europe considered members of the German princely houses to be of equal status, making it a suitable choice for a princess to marry a prince of a royal house.

The marriage of Tsar Nicholas II to Alexandra was not seen as an irregularity by the royal families of Europe. Alexandra was a grandchild of Queen Victoria, and the Hohenzollern dynasty of Germany was well-established and respected. Therefore, her marriage to the Romanovs was a noble and appropriate union that would not have caused regret.

The Challenges of the Union

Nicholas and Alexandra's marriage was not without its challenges, but love and devotion overcame the initial criticisms. Alexandra was initially unpopular in Russia, seen as an outsider by many Russians. However, Nicholas stood by her and worked to support her. While Alexandra's presence might have been blamed for the tsar's detachment, it was more a product of political tensions and limited contact with the people, not Alexandra's influence.

One of the significant challenges in their marriage was the birth of their son, Alexei, who suffered from hemophilia. Hemophilia made their situation even more complex, as Alexei required extensive care and precautions. Despite these challenges, there is no evidence to suggest that Nicholas ever regretted marrying Alexandra. On the contrary, she was known to be a devoted wife and mother who provided strong support to her husband during his reign.

The Royal Inter-Marrying Tradition

Historically, royal families maintained a tradition of marrying within similar nobility to ensure blood purity and maintain strategic alliances. The grand duchy of Hesse and by Rhine, where Alexandra's father was from, was an independent state until 1867. This status further solidified the nobility and royal status of the Hohenzollerns and the Romanovs.

In the last five hundred years, royal families in Europe mostly limited themselves to marrying other nobility or royalty. It was understood that marriages with other dynasties or princely houses of similar standing were acceptable. Therefore, the marriage of Alexandra to Nicholas II was well within the acceptable range of royal marriages of the time.

Conclusion and Historical Context

In conclusion, Tsar Nicholas II would not have regretted marrying Alexandra, a granddaughter of Queen Victoria and a princess in her own right. Their union was a strategic and noble one, reflecting the traditions and customs of the time. Furthermore, Alexandra's contributions as a devoted wife and mother, and her support to Nicholas during his reign, demonstrate that her presence brought stability and a strong bond between the couple.

By understanding the historical context and the royal traditions of the time, we can see that the notion of Nicholas regretting his marriage to Alexandra is unfounded. Instead, their marriage reflects the complex and evolving nature of royal unions in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.