GRAND DUCHESS MARIA NIKOLAEVNA ROMANOVA

 GRAND DUCHESS MARIA NIKOLAEVNA ROMANOVA

June 26, 1899

In March 1899, Empress Alexandra's pregnancy was extremely uncomfortable. The baby was in an awkward position that aggravated her sciatica; she once again spent most of the pregnancy in a bath chair.

On May 9, the family left Tsarskoye Selo and went to Peterhof to await the arrival of the new member of the family, who arrived mercifully quickly.

At 12:10 p.m. m. On June 26, 1899, another Grand Duchess Maria was born, weighing 4.5 kg.

Maria, so called in honor of her grandmother. Alejandra soon nursed her happily. Nicholas showed no obvious sign of despondency, his religious fatalism undoubtedly influencing her impassive reaction. "The Lord sent us a third daughter"; he was resigned. "I am so grateful that dear Alicky has recovered so well," wrote Queen Victoria, who could not ignore the serious dynastic problem that this entailed. "I know that an heir would be more welcome than a daughter."