Grand Duke Peter Nikolaevich of Russia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Grand Duke Peter Nikolaevich |
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| Born | 22 January 1864 Saint Petersburg, Russian Empire |
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| Died | 17 June 1931 (aged 67) Antibes, France |
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| Spouse |
Princess Milica of Montenegro
(m. 1889) |
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| House | Holstein-Gottorp-Romanov | ||||
| Father | Grand Duke Nicholas Nikolaevich of Russia | ||||
| Mother | Duchess Alexandra of Oldenburg | ||||
Grand Duke Peter Nikolaevich of Russia (born January 22, 1864 – died June 17, 1931) was a member of the Russian Imperial Family. He was a Grand Duke, which was a special title for sons and grandsons of the Russian Emperor.
Early Life and Family
Grand Duke Peter Nikolaevich was born in Saint Petersburg, Russia. He was the second son of Grand Duke Nicholas Nikolaevich the Elder and Duchess Alexandra of Oldenburg.
Like other Russian Grand Dukes, Peter served in the Russian army. He reached the rank of Lieutenant-General.
In 1889, he married Princess Milica of Montenegro. She was the daughter of King Nicholas I of Montenegro. Peter and Milica had four children:
- Princess Marina Petrovna of Russia (1892–1981)
- Prince Roman Petrovich of Russia (1896–1978)
- Princess Nadezhda Petrovna of Russia (1898–1988)
- Princess Sofia Petrovna of Russia (born and died on March 3, 1898)
Life at the Imperial Court
In 1907, Peter's older brother, Grand Duke Nicholas Nikolaevich, married Princess Milica's sister, Princess Anastasia of Montenegro. She was also known as Stana.
The two couples, Peter and Milica, and Nicholas and Anastasia, were very important at the Russian Imperial Court. They were interested in spiritual ideas and introduced some influential people to the Imperial family. One of these people was Grigori Rasputin (1869–1916).
Their palace, called Znamenka, was a place where many important discussions happened. Some people at court, like the Dowager Empress Marie, believed that Peter and Milica tried to gain influence through the Empress Alexandra. By 1914, even Empress Alexandra felt that they were trying to control her.
Awards and Recognition
Grand Duke Peter received many awards during his life, both from Russia and other countries. These awards recognized his service and his royal status.
Some of his Russian awards included:
- Order of St. Andrew
- Order of Saint Alexander Nevsky
- Order of St. Anna
- Order of the White Eagle
- Order of St. Stanislaus
- Order of St. Vladimir
He also received awards from other countries, such as:
- Grand Duchy of Oldenburg: Grand Cross of the Order of Duke Peter Friedrich Ludwig
- Grand Duchy of Hesse: Grand Cross of the Ludwig Order
- Kingdom of Prussia: Order of the Black Eagle
- Grand Duchy of Baden: Knight of the House Order of Fidelity and Knight of the Order of Berthold the First
- France: Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour
- Kingdom of Italy: Supreme Order of the Most Holy Annunciation
- Kingdom of Montenegro: Grand Cross of the Order of Prince Danilo I
Life in Exile
After the Russian Revolution of 1917, Grand Duke Peter and his wife Milica had to leave Russia. They moved to the south of France to escape the dangers of the revolution.
Grand Duke Peter Nikolaevich passed away in Cap d'Antibes, near Antibes, France, on June 17, 1931. His wife, Milica, died later in September 1951, in Alexandria, Egypt.
