Tsar Nicolas II and three of his children, 1909 cruise
1909 - Revealing Nicholas II Off Duty: It it hadn't been for the Russian Revolution and the two world Wars, the children pictured in this feature set might have been preparing to be hosts to the forthcoming tour by HRH Prince Philip and HRH Princess Anne to Kiev in September, They are the children of the last Russian Tsar, Nicholas II, who was a first cousin, once removed to the Duke of Edinburgh. these photographs, never before published, show the Tsar relaxing with his family during a cruise in 1909. He led a very retiring life of which there is little photographic evidence. The visit to the three-day European equestrian events by the Royals will be the first time that a member of the British Royal Family has visited Russia since the Revolution. Princess Anne is on the Short list of British riders to go to the championships where she will probably defend her title.Pictures were taken by a friend of one of the Tsarina's ladies in waiting, Frau Von Butzow, who was a keen amateur photographer
