Prince John Konstantinovich of Russia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Prince John Constantinovich |
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| Born | 5 July 1886 Pavlovsk Palace, Pavlovsk, Saint Petersburg, Russian Empire |
| Died | 18 July 1918 (aged 32) Alapayevsk, Russian SFSR |
| Spouse | |
| Issue | Prince Vsevolod Ivanovich Princess Catherine Ivanovna |
| House | Holstein-Gottorp-Romanov |
| Father | Grand Duke Constantine Constantinovich of Russia |
| Mother | Princess Elisabeth of Saxe-Altenburg |
Prince John Constantinovich of Russia (Russian: Иоанн Константинович; born July 5, 1886 – died July 18, 1918) was an important member of the Russian Imperial Family. He was the oldest son of Grand Duke Konstantin Konstantinovich of Russia and his wife, Princess Elisabeth of Saxe-Altenburg. People who knew him described him as a kind and religious person. His family often called him "Ioannchik."
Contents
Early Life and Royal Titles
Prince John was born as a Grand Duke of Russia. This was a very high title for a member of the royal family. However, when he was just nine days old, his cousin, Emperor Alexander III of Russia, changed a rule. This new rule said that only grandsons of a reigning emperor could be called "Grand Duke." Because of this, Prince John's title changed. He became a Prince of the Imperial Blood instead.
He once thought about becoming an Orthodox monk, which is a religious person who lives a simple life. But he later fell in love with Princess Helen of Serbia. She was the daughter of King Peter I of Serbia.
Marriage and Family
Prince John and Princess Helen were married on September 2, 1911. After their marriage, Princess Helen took the name Princess Yelena Petrovna of Russia. Since she was the daughter of a king, she kept her special title of "Royal Highness." This meant she could meet with foreign diplomats on her own.
They had two children together. Their son, Prince Vsevolod Ivanovich, was born on January 20, 1914. Their daughter, Princess Yekaterina Ivanovna, was born on July 12, 1915. Princess Yekaterina was the last member of the Imperial Family to be born before the Romanov dynasty lost power. She also became the last surviving direct descendant of the Imperial House of Russia.
Life During the Revolution
Prince John fought in the First World War (1914-1918). He was honored as a war hero for his bravery. He was still serving at the front lines when the Russian Revolution of 1917 began. This revolution changed Russia forever.
In April 1918, the Bolshevik government sent him away to the Ural Mountains. Sadly, in July of the same year, he was killed near Alapayevsk. He was murdered in a mineshaft along with his brothers, Prince Konstantin Konstantinovich and Prince Igor Konstantinovich. His cousin, Prince Vladimir Pavlovich Paley, and other relatives and friends were also killed.
After His Death
Prince John's body was later buried in Beijing, China. It was placed in the cemetery of the Russian Orthodox Mission. However, this cemetery was destroyed in 1986 to make way for a park.
His sister, Princess Vera Konstantinovna, his mother, Grand Duchess Yelizaveta Mavrikievna, and his wife, Princess Yelena Petrovna, were able to leave Russia in April 1919. They received help from the King of Norway.
His daughter, Princess Yekaterina, later married Ruggero, Marquis Farace di Villaforesta. Princess Yekaterina lived in Buenos Aires and later in Montevideo, Uruguay. She passed away in 2007. His sister, Princess Vera Konstantinovna, lived to be 94 years old and died in New York in 2001.
See also
- Romanov sainthood
- Karađorđević family tree
In Spanish: Iván Konstantínovich Románov para niños
