Moscow Coronation Ceremony, 26 May 1896
Domine Salvum Fac Imperatorem - Domine Salvum Fac Imperatricem
I synthesise here from the newspapers of the time (New York Times, Illustrated London News): The Emperor Nicholas II wore the dark-green and gold uniform of a General of the Guards, with high boots. The Empress Alexandra was dressed in a silver robe, with a long train, borne by four pages. After donning the mantle the Emperor assumed the diamond collar of St Andrew.
Nicholas II received the imperial crown from the Metropolitan of St Petersburg and placed it upon his head, then took his sceptre, on top of which the famous Orloff diamond blazed. The orb of the empire was placed in his right hand and the emperor then ascended the Dias, taking his seat upon the throne with the Empress still standing next to him.
This was the supreme moment of all, and when gazing around the church, and seeing representatives from nearly every district of this mighty empire beholding the Tsar sitting on his throne of state, with the symbols of power given to him by the highest religious authority in the land, one had a realizing sense of the great power wielded by the man who was now Russia’s sovereign, for whom the grandiose coronation function was held. The Empress knelt before him on a crimson velvet cushion and the Emperor placed upon her head her own crown, distinctively surmounted by a large sapphire. The Empress’s Ladies of Honour fixed the crown on her head with a gold comb, and then robed her in her mantle of cloth of gold, ermine lined, similar with the Emperor’s. The coronation next procedeed with a grand fete and reception in the Granite Palace in the Kremlin. Among many royal guests were also present the crown prince and princess of Romania.
The image bellow shows the beautiful gown worn with that occasion by Marie of Romania, a first cousin of Tsar Nicholas II.
Adaugă un comentariu