The Paleys (1921-1927) - An Alternate Romanov Story

Coming of Age

Catherine Park, Tsarskoe Selo, July 1922

Vladimir

As Alexei's eighteenth birthday approached, anticipation at court grew. His official coming of age was near, with grand ceremonies and responsibilities ahead, though, thanks to his uncle's influence, his coronation and formal duties wouldn't start for another three years. Still, there was a long list of events and obligations. Even though the country was slowly recovering from war, the Romanovs still carried a sense of prestige, making it important to maintain an image of wealth and power.

Diplomatic receptions, grand balls, and military reviews were all planned for the new Tsar. The most significant event would be the ceremony where soldiers and officers would swear loyalty to Alexei. Afterwards, there would be a smaller, private gathering where the imperial family and noblemen would do the same. It would be a strong show of unity and reinforce Alexei's role as Russia's leader.

Though his parents couldn't attend the celebrations due to their continued exile, his sisters were invited. Olga, now Crown Princess of Romania, and Tatiana, Queen of Yugoslavia, were included as a gesture of goodwill. However, Olga would miss the event since she would be heavily pregnant by then, but the others planned to attend.

As always with Alexei, there was constant concern about his health. Doctors checked on him daily, in addition to the many preparations already in place. Every family member, except the Vladimirovichi branch, had donated blood samples, which were being tested in England to find a suitable donor for a transfusion, just in case something unexpected happened before the celebrations. Vladimir, along with his parents and siblings, had all contributed their samples.

This would be Alexei's first public appearance as Tsar, and nothing could be allowed to go wrong.

"It's all a bit overwhelming," he admitted, his hands clasped behind his back as he walked next to Vladimir. Trying to offer some reassurance, Vladimir replied with a smile,

"I'm sure you've faced tougher challenges before. Yes, public speaking can be daunting, but it will become easier with practice."

Alexei gave him a sceptical glance before casting his eyes down once more. He was now almost as tall as Vladimir and the time he had spent at the Corps des Pages had done wonders to his appetite and general constitution. It was still painfully obvious that he was thinner than a young man his age ought to be and his legs, in particular, seemed barely able to sustain the rest of his body, but the controlled level of exercise he had been allowed to take at the Academy had to broaden his shoulders and torso and his uniform and boots helped conceal the disproportion between his upper and lower body.

His year at the academy had been a resounding success. He had made friends, received the level of education his young brain was yearning and had managed to graduate with honours. His Haemophilia also seemed to be under control and the doctors were optimistic that, with time, his attacks would become more distanced and controlled. Now, everything was set for him to start his first year at the University of Petrograd, to study Political Science. The first Tsar in History to do so.

On that day, Alexei and Vladimir had travelled from Petrograd to Tsarskoe Selo with the pretext of inspecting the Catherine Palace, where his sisters would be staying for their first trip to Russia in five years. Their uncle Michael had suggested that they all should stay at the Alexander Palace, which was just at the other end of the park, but all of them had agreed that the memories of the last days they had spent there, with the danger of revolution looming, their father's abdication and their illness, were too painful and they preferred the Catherine, which was not as personal to them.

Vladimir knew Alexei well enough to understand that he simply wanted to escape the pressures of the Winter Palace for a few days and mentally prepare for what lay ahead. Since Catherine Palace wasn't quite ready to host guests, Alexei planned to stay with Vladimir and his family at Paley Palace, just a short walk from the park.