Royal Wedding Since Russian Revolution

Ian Winograd is a New Jersey legal professional who focuses on the review and analysis of documents. Ian Winograd’s longstanding interests include political and legal theory. He also has a particular interest in American and Russian history.

In early October 2021, Russia’s first royal wedding took place since the time of the monarchy, before the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917. The overthrow of Nicholas II, Russia’s last sitting czar, led to the banishment of his immediate family to Yekaterinburg and ultimately to execution by firing squad. Many relatives of the royal family went into exile in Europe and beyond, and czarist history was effectively whitewashed from the Soviet history books.

Grand Duke George Mikhailovich Romanov married Victoria Romanovna Bettarini in St. Petersburg in October, signaling the return of the royal family to Russian social life. Romanov was born in Madrid and has a professional background serving in European Commission and European Parliament. His mother was the grandchild of Nicholas II’s first cousin, Grand Duke Kirill Vladimirovich, who famously called himself “emperor from exile” as the revolution took hold in Russia. Having first visited Russia in the early 1990s, Romanov became fascinated by his family history and contributed to a search for the remains of his royal ancestors, who were buried anonymously in the woods. He presently lives with his wife in central Moscow and focuses on charity projects.

The royal wedding was held at St. Isaac's Cathedral in St. Petersburg, the former imperial capital, and featured a traditional Russian Orthodox ceremony. Several hundred people attended, and the ceremony was highlighted by the presentation of a ruby engagement ring traditionally exchanged in House of Romanov marriages. The after-wedding reception was held at the Russian Ethnographic Museum, which Nicholas II founded before the revolution.

As reported by National Public Radio, the marriage had political significance, as it reflects the resurgent power of the ultra-conservative movement in Russia. One of the guests attending was Alexander Dugin, a prominent nationalist philosopher.