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Boris RomanovSon of Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich, Major General
Date of Birth: 24.11.1877
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Content:
- Early Life and Education
- Military Career
- World War I
- Post-Revolution Life
- Emigration
- Marriage Controversy
- Financial Difficulties and Death
- Honors and Awards
- Order of St. Andrew the First-Called (1897)
Early Life and Education
Boris Vladimirovich Romanov was born on the 24th of November (6th of December) 1877, in St. Petersburg, Russia. He was the second son of Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich, brother of Tsar Alexander III, and Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna, née Duchess of Mecklenburg-Schwerin.
Military Career
Boris received his education under the supervision of his parents. He graduated with honors from the Nikolaev Cavalry School (1896) and entered active service on the 20th of November, 1893. On the 12th of August, 1896, he was commissioned as a Cornet in the Life Guards Hussars Regiment. Boris rose through the ranks, becoming a Lieutenant in 1900 and a Lieutenant-Captain in 1904.
During the Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905), Boris was assigned to the Viceroy and Commander-in-Chief of the Far East, Admiral Alexei Nikolaevich Alexeiev. He participated in the battle of Khaoyen (July 4th, 1904), earning the Golden Weapon award "For Bravery."
Boris's behavior during the war raised concerns. He allegedly struck General Alexei Nikolaevich Kuropatkin after being reprimanded, resulting in a commission to assess his mental state. The commission declared him "abnormal," and he was removed from active duty and returned to Russia.
World War I
After recovering, Boris returned to military service in April 1908. He was promoted to Captain in August of that year. On the 20th of March, 1914, he was appointed Commander of the Life Guards Ataman Regiment. During World War I, he commanded Cossack troops at the rank of Major-General.
Post-Revolution Life
After the Russian Revolution, Boris was placed under house arrest (July 3rd, 1917). He was dismissed from service "at his request" on August 7th, 1917. He fled to Kislovodsk with his mother and brother but was arrested by Bolsheviks in August 1918. He escaped and joined the anti-Bolshevik forces in the Caucasus.
Emigration
In 1919, Boris emigrated to Paris via Constantinople. He married Zinaida Rashevskaya (1896-1963), his mistress since before the revolution, with whom he had a daughter, Anna. The couple lived in Nice and later Paris.
Marriage Controversy
Boris's marriage to Zinaida, a commoner and divorcée, caused controversy. His brother, Grand Duke Cyril Vladimirovich, who claimed the Russian throne, did not recognize the union. This led to a strained relationship between the brothers.
Financial Difficulties and Death
Boris faced financial difficulties during his later years, selling his estate and moving to a more modest home. He died on November 9th, 1943, in Paris, aged 65. He was buried in the family mausoleum of the Orthodox Cathedral in Nice.
Honors and Awards
Boris Vladimirovich Romanov received numerous honors and awards, including:
Order of St. Andrew the First-Called (1897)
Order of St. Alexander Nevsky (1897)Order of the White Eagle (1897)
Order of St. Anna, 1st Class (1897)
Order of St. Stanislaus, 1st Class (1897)
Golden Weapon "For Bravery" (1904)
Order of St. Vladimir, 4th Class (1906)
Order of St. George, 4th Class (1914)
Swords and bow to the Order of St. Vladimir, 4th Class (1915)
Pernach (1916)
Foreign Awards:
Austrian Order of St. Stephen, Grand Cross (1896)
Swedish Order of the Seraphim (1897)
French Order of the Legion of Honor, Grand Cross (1908)
Oldenburger Order of Merit of Duke Peter-Frederick-Ludwig (1910)
