Nicholas & Alexandra
Photography by P. Elfelt, Emperor Nicholas II arriving at Elsinore, 1901.
Emperor Nicholas II unusually surrounded by thronging people in their best hats and Empress Alexandra literally radiant with joy as she ascends the harbor stairs in Elsinore, Denmark, September 2nd 1901, 2 pm. The Imperial Family arrived at Elsinore onboard the Imperial yacht Standart, saluted by cannon-fire from the historic castle of Kronborg. The Imperial family is welcomed dockside by Crownprince Frederik and Crownprincess Lovisa and princesses Louise, Ingeborg and Thyra.
The Emperor Nicholas II and Empress Alexandra were also greeted by the Danish King, Christian IX, as well as King George I (Greece), Queen Alexandra (Great Britain) and her daughters princesses Maud and Victoria, and princess Alexandrine (later Queen of Denmark) and her mother the dowager Grand Duchess Anastasia. Present at the quay was also dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna, who had arrived in Denmark some weeks previously.
The Imperial couple continued by special train to Fredensborg, the summer residence of the Danish King, where they stayed for 2 weeks. The Emperor and Empress were accompanied by their 4 daughters Olga, Tatiana, Maria and Anastasia (OTMA), children´s governesses, and Grand Duke Michael and Grand Duchess Olga, Emperor Nicholas´ younger brother and sister.
“WE went to Denmark that year. There was a great gathering of Royalties there, including the King and Queen of England, Princess Victoria of England, and her sister, Princess Charles of Denmark, the Emperor and two Empresses of Russia, the King of Greece with one of his sons, and many other Royalties. We stayed at Fredensborg that time. It is a good way from Copenhagen, and is a great deal bigger than Bernstorff. There is a large park there. King Edward VII. arrived after we did, and the day he was expected Alexandra came into the nurseries and told me he was coming, and asked me to make the children look very nice. I showed her the dresses I had prepared for them, and she admired them very much. She often said they were always so nicely dressed and kept.”
Six years at the Russian Court – Margaret Eager (Nurse)
Facts: Imperial visit to Denmark. September 2nd: Arrival by ship at Elsinore harbor. Continued by special train to Fredensborg. September 3rd: Grand gala dinner in the evening at Fredensborg i honor of the imperial guests. September 4th: The Danish King and his entire household moves in at FredensborgSeptember 5th: The Emperor and his suite, accompanied by his two eldest daughters, grandduchesses Olga and Tatiana participates in the presentation of a new imperial marine-vessel built at the Copenhagen docks. September 6th: The Emperor and his suite pays a visit to the bathing establishment and health spa seaside resort Marienlyst in Elsinore. September 7th: The Emperor, the Empress, their family and relatives including the Danish Royal family and their escorts pays a visit to the Roskilde Cathedral, Royal burial chapels and vaults. September 8th: The Emperor and Empress participates in welcoming the British King Edward 7 and his wife Queen Alexandra on arrival at Elsinore. September 10th: The Emperor, the Empress, grand Duchesses Olga, Tatiana, Maria & Anastasia, as well the Emperors siblings Grand Duchess Olga and Grand Duke Michael departs by ship from the harbor in Copenhagen.
Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark, Empress Dowager Maria Feodorovna (with her back turned), Empress Alexandra and Queen Alexandra followed by Crown Princess Lovisa of Denmark and Dowager Grand Duchess Anastasia of Mecklembourg in Elsinore September 8th. 1901.