Friday, November 21, 2008

Czar walks funeral procession

November 21, 1908

Surrounded by lines of troops on both sides of the road, Czar Nicholas II followed the coffin of his uncle, Grand Duke Alexis, "through the crowded and silent streets of St. Petersburg." Nicholas was accompanied by thirteen Grand Dukes and 100 generals and admirals
Grand Duke Alexis was interred in the new mausoleum within the Fortress of St. Peter and St. Paul.
Empress Alexandra and Empress Marie and several grand duchesses met the body at the railroad station, and then got into carriages, which followed the other mourners.
"Great crowds turned out to witness the parade," according to the New York Times reporter, who added that "the prevailing desire seemed to be to get a glimpse of the Emperor, who has hardly been seen by the residents of St. Petersburg for ten years."
At the conclusion of the Orthodox funeral service, Nicholas and other members of the Imperial Family "advanced and kissed the forehead of Grand Duke Alexis." The coffin was then closed, and carried to the adjacent mausoleum, where a brief service was held, and then the coffin was placed beneath a marble sarcophagus.
A luncheon for members of the Imperial Family was held at the Winter Palace.

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