Accessibility links

Breaking News

Oldest Relative Of Tsar Nicholas Dies


Prince Dimitry Romanovich Romanov of the House of Romanov and his wife, Dorrit Reventlow, talk to reporters at the airport in Simferopol, Crimea, in August 2015.
Prince Dimitry Romanovich Romanov of the House of Romanov and his wife, Dorrit Reventlow, talk to reporters at the airport in Simferopol, Crimea, in August 2015.

The oldest relative of the last Russian tsar, Nicholas II, has died.

Prince Dmitry Romanov, 90, passed away on December 31 in Denmark.

Romanov's father, Roman Romanov, was a second cousin and godson of Tsar Nicholas II.

He also claimed to be the head of the House of Romanov, a title that was disputed by other Romanovs.

Dimitry Romanov was born in France, where his family settled after emigrating from Russia.

He worked as a historian, banker, and author, having lived for several years in Denmark while working for a Romanov charity for Russian hospitals and orphanages.

Prince Dmitry was last in Russia in October, when he received the state Order of St. Aleksandr for his efforts in promoting Russia's historical and cultural heritage.

Tsar Nicholas, his wife, and five children were executed by the Bolsheviks in 1918 in Yekaterinburg, less than a year after the tsar abdicated during the Russian Revolution.

Based on reporting by TASS and NPR

RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.

If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.

To find out more, click here.

XS
SM
MD
LG