The Russian Imperial Family gathered to celebrate the Wedding of Prince Felix Yusupov and Princess Irina Alexandrovna of Russia at the Anichkov Palace on this day in 1914, 110 years ago, the last Royal Wedding of Tsarist Russia before the outbreak of the First World War and the Russian Revolution.
Prince Felix Yusupov, son of Count Felix Felixovich Sumarokov-Elston and Princess Zinadina Yusupov, married Princess Irina Alexandrovna of Russia, daughter of Grand Duke Alexander Mikhailovich and Grand Duchess Xenia Alexandrovna of Russia, at the Anichkov Palace, the home of the Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna of Russia.
On the wedding day, a coach drawn by four white horses brought my fiancee and her parents to the Anichkov Palace. My own entrance was much less impressive. The fusty old lift stopped halfway up to the chapel, and the whole Imperial family, including the Tsar, had to help to liberate the wretched bridegroom. Then, accompanied by my parents, I walked through several rooms already filled with people to the chapel where I awaited the arrival of Irina.
The bride entered on the Tsar’s arm; he led her to her place next to mine and the service began.
It is customary at Russian marriages for one of the priests to spread a carpet of pink silk before the bridal couple across which, in the course of the ceremony, they have to walk. Tradition has it that whoever first sets foot on this carpet will rule the household; Irina had made up her mind to do this, but she caught her foot in her train and I took advantage of this to forestall her.
When the service was over we walked in procession to one of the reception rooms to receive the customary congratulations. For two hours the guests filed past us; Irina was worn out. We then went to the Moika, preceded by our parents, who waited for us at the foot of the staircase to offer us the traditional bread and salt. We were then congratulated by all our servants. After this the same ceremony took place all over again at the Grand Duke Alexander’s palace.
The time for our departure arrived at last; a crowd of relatives and friends were waiting at the station. Once more we had to shake hands and be congratulated. After the last demonstrations of affection were over, we entered our coach; a black nose suddenly emerged from a profusion of flowers; and there was my Punch triumphantly ensconced among the roses.
Irina’s wedding dress was magnificent; it was of white satin embroidered in silver, with a long train. Her face veil, which had belonged to Marie Antoinette, was held by a tiara of rock crystal and diamonds.
The question of what I should wear gave rise to lively discussions. I firmly refused to appear in a tail coat in the daytime, but all the suggestions made raised a storm of protest. Finally the uniform of the nobility-a black frock coat with collar and lapels embroidered in gold, and white broadcloth trousers-was decided on.
The Grand Duchess Elisabeth was not present at our marriage. She considered that a nun would be out of place at such a worldly ceremony. However, I went to see her in Moscow a few days before; she welcomed me with her usual graciousness, and when I left she gave me her blessing.
The Tsar inquired through my future father-in-law what I would like for a wedding present. He thought of offering me an office at court, but I replied that His Majesty would gratify my wishes to the full by granting me the privilege of using the Imperial box at the theater. On receiving my reply, Nicholas II laughingly agreed.
We were overwhelmed with gifts: the most gorgeous jewels as well as the simplest and most touching presents from our peasants.
The couple had one child, Princess Irina Felixovna Yusupova, and were exiled out of St. Petersburg after the killing of Rasputin, which inadvertently saved them from the fate of other members of the Royal Family, who were executed by the Bolsheviks. Despite the trials and tribulations of exile, Prince and Princess Yusupov had a long and happy marriage lasting over 50 years until his death in 1967, while the Princess passed in 1970.
