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Andrey VladimirovichGrand Duke, fourth son of Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich and Maria Pavlovna, grandson of Alexander II
Date of Birth: 02.05.1879
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Content:
- Grand Duke Andrey Vladimirovich Romanov
- Military Career
- Legal and Military Service
- World War I and the Russian Revolution
- Exile in Europe
- Emigration and Legitimism
- Later Life and Legacy
- Honors and Awards
- Chairman of the Russian Historical-Genealogical Society (Paris)
Grand Duke Andrey Vladimirovich Romanov
Early Life and EducationGrand Duke Andrey Vladimirovich was born on May 14, 1879, to Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich and Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna. He was the fourth son of the couple and a grandson of Emperor Alexander II. Andrey received his education under the supervision of his parents and entered service in 1895.
Military Career
In 1902, Andrey graduated from the Mikhailovsky Artillery School as a Second Lieutenant and joined the 5th Battery of the Guards Horse Artillery Brigade. He rose through the ranks, becoming a Captain in 1908, Colonel in 1910, and Major General in 1915. Andrey also attended the Alexander Military-Legal Academy from 1902 to 1905, graduating with distinction.
Legal and Military Service
After graduating from the academy, Andrey was assigned to the military-legal department. He commanded the 5th Battery of the Guards Horse Artillery Brigade from 1910 to 1911 and the 6th Don Cossack Artillery Battery from 1911 to 1914. Additionally, he served as a senator in the St. Petersburg Senate and was an honorary Cossack of the Verkhne-Kurmoyarskaya Stanitsa.
World War I and the Russian Revolution
During World War I, Andrey served with the General Staff. In 1915, he became Commander of the Guards Horse Artillery, a position he held until 1917. After the Russian Revolution, Andrey, his mother, and his brother Boris lived in Kislovodsk. He was arrested in 1918 and briefly detained, but he and his brother escaped to the mountains in Kabarda.
Exile in Europe
After the Bolshevik takeover of Kislovodsk, Andrey and his family moved to Anapa. They declined an offer from the British to evacuate them and remained in Russia until 1919. Fearing for their safety, they left for Novorossiysk and eventually sailed to Constantinople on the Italian steamship "Semiramis."
Emigration and Legitimism
Andrey arrived in France in 1920 and settled in Cap-d'Ail on the Riviera. He married the ballerina Mathilde Kschessinska in 1921 and became an active supporter of his older brother, Grand Duke Kirill Vladimirovich, who proclaimed himself Emperor of Russia in exile in 1924. Andrey served as Kirill's representative in France and as chairman of the State Council.
Later Life and Legacy
During the German occupation of France, Andrey's son, Vladimir Krasinsky, was arrested and imprisoned by the Gestapo. Andrey tirelessly advocated for his son's release, which was eventually granted. Andrey became the last surviving Grand Duke of the House of Romanov in 1943 after the death of his brother, Boris. He died in Paris on October 30, 1956, leaving no male heirs.
Honors and Awards
Andrey Vladimirovich received numerous honors and awards, including:Order of Saint Andrew the First-Called
Order of Saint Alexander Nevsky
Order of Saint Anne, 1st Class
Order of the White Eagle
Order of Saint Stanislaus, 1st Class
Order of Saint Vladimir, 4th and 3rd Class
Silver Medal for the Reign of Emperor Alexander III
Medal for the Coronation of Emperor Nicholas II
Notable Affiliations
Honorary President of the Union of Izmaylovtsy
Honorary President of the Union of Mutual Aid of Officers of the Guards Horse Artillery
