The rebel Romanov : Julie of Saxe-Coburg, the empress Russia never had / Helen Rappaport.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Rappaport, Helen, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Anna Feodorovna, Grand Duchess of Russia, 1781-1860.

Anna Feodorovna.

Anna Feodorovna, Grand Duchess of Russia, 1781-1860--Family.

Anna Feodorovna, Grand Duchess of Russia, 1781-1860--Marriage.

Princesses--Russia--Biography.

Princesses.

Romanov, House of.

Nobility--Germany--Saxe-Coburg-Gotha--Biography.

Nobility.

Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, House of.

Royal houses--Europe--History--19th century.

Royal houses.

Nobility--Europe--Social life and customs--19th century.

Genre:

Biographies.

Physical Description:

314 pages, 8 unnumbered pages of plates : color illustrations, maps, genealogical tables ; 25 cm

illustrations.

maps.

genealogical tables.

plates.

Edition:

First U.S. edition.

Place of Publication:

New York : St. Martin's Press, 2025.

Summary:

"From the New York Times bestselling author of The Romanov Sisters comes the story of a courageous young Imperial Grand Duchess who scandalized Europe in search of freedom. In 1795, Catherine the Great of Russia was in search of a bride for her grandson Constantine, who stood third in line to her throne. In an eerie echo of her own story, Catherine selected an innocent young German princess, Julie of Saxe-Coburg, aunt of the future Queen Victoria. Though Julie had everything a young bride could wish for, she was alone in a court dominated by an aging empress and riven with rivalries, plotting, and gossip-not to mention her brute of a husband, who was tender one moment and violent the next. She longed to leave Russia and her disastrous marriage, but her family in Germany refused to allow her to do so. Desperate for love, Julie allegedly sought consolation in the arms of others. Finally, Tsar Alexander granted her permission to leave in 1801, even though her husband was now heir to the throne. Rootless in Europe, Julie gave birth to two-possibly three-illegitimate children, all of whom she was forced to give up for adoption. Despite entreaties from Constantine to return and provide an heir, she refused, eventually finding love with her own married physician. At a time when many royal brides meekly submitted to disastrous marriages, Julie proved to be a woman ahead of her time, sacrificing her reputation and a life of luxury in exchange for the freedom to live as she wished. The Rebel Romanov is the inspiring tale of a bold woman who, until now, has been ignored by history"-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

The Coburg marriage

A pumpernickel state

Journey to St. Petersburg

The largest and most brilliant court in Europe

Jülchen's star has prevailed

Alexander is an angel, but Constantine is a fury

A life of brilliant misery

She has come back to us after all

The catastrophe from the North

She lives in the most perfect oblivion

Some things of which I do not wish to speak

That haven of peace she so longed for

Die Elfenkönigin

My house has become a house of mourning

Aux coeurs blessés, l'ombre et le silence

Epilogue: Her fate might have been very brilliant.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9781250273123

1250273129

OCLC:

1503750200