Prince Michael Andreevich of Russia
Encyclopedia
Prince Michael Andreevich of Russia (15 July 1920 – 22 September 2008) was a descendant of the House of Romanov which ruled Russia
from 1613 to 1917. He was a great nephew of Nicholas II
, the last Emperor of Russia.
, the second child and eldest son of Prince Andrei Alexandrovich of Russia
and Donna Elisabetha Ruffo (1886–1940). He was a grandson of Grand Duke Alexander Mikhailovich of Russia
and Grand Duchess Xenia Alexandrovna of Russia
and a great nephew of Nicholas II
, the last Emperor of Russia. From his father's first marriage he had two siblings, an older sister Xenia
and a younger brother Andrew
. From his father's second marriage he had one half sister, Olga
.
Neither Grand Duke Cyril Vladimirovich nor his son Grand Duke Vladimir Cyrillovich (who were heads of the House of Romanov from 1924 to 1992) recognised Michael as a Prince of Russia. Cyril and Vladimir held that the marriage of Prince Michael Andreevitch's parents was not dynastic and that Michael had no succession rights to the Russian throne. They accorded him the title Prince Romanovsky .
Prince Michael Andreevich was educated at Beaumont College
in Old Windsor, and lived with his parents and his grandmother Grand Duchess Xenia in exile at Frogmore Cottage on the grounds of Windsor Castle
and later at Wilderness House until he enlisted to serve in the Royal Navy
during World War II
. During the war Michael served in Australia with the Fleet Air Arm
. He moved there permanently following the conclusion of the war and became an aviation engineer.
he married Jill Murphy (b. 1921); the marriage was short lived and was dissolved by divorce in September 1953. On 23 July 1954 at Sydney he married Shirley Cramond (1916–1983). On 14 July 1993 at Sydney he married Giulia Crespi (b. 1930). Michael had no children from any of his marriages.
In 1980 Prince Michael Andreevich became Imperial protector of the Sovereign Order of the Orthodox Knights Hospitaller of St. John of Jerusalem which was formally under the protection of his father Prince Andrei and uncle Prince Vasili
. In 2006 he was elected Grand Prior. He was also vice president of the Romanov Family Association
.
Prince Michael Andreevich died at 2am on 22 September 2008 in Sydney, Australia, the same day as his cousin, Prince Michael Feodorovich of Russia, the son of Prince Feodor Alexandrovich of Russia
.
N.B. After the Russian revolution members of the Imperial family tended to drop the territorial designation “of Russia” and use the princely title with the surname Romanov. However this title, and even his right to the surname Romanov were disputed by some.
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
from 1613 to 1917. He was a great nephew of Nicholas II
Nicholas II of Russia
Nicholas II was the last Emperor of Russia, Grand Prince of Finland, and titular King of Poland. His official short title was Nicholas II, Emperor and Autocrat of All the Russias and he is known as Saint Nicholas the Passion-Bearer by the Russian Orthodox Church.Nicholas II ruled from 1894 until...
, the last Emperor of Russia.
Early life
Prince Michael Andreevich was born in VersaillesVersailles
Versailles , a city renowned for its château, the Palace of Versailles, was the de facto capital of the kingdom of France for over a century, from 1682 to 1789. It is now a wealthy suburb of Paris and remains an important administrative and judicial centre...
, the second child and eldest son of Prince Andrei Alexandrovich of Russia
Prince Andrei Alexandrovich of Russia
Prince Andrei Alexandrovich of Russia was a member of the Imperial Family of Russia. A son of Grand Duke Alexander Mikhailovich of Russia and Grand Duchess Xenia Alexandrovna of Russia he was also the eldest nephew of Emperor Nicholas II of Russia...
and Donna Elisabetha Ruffo (1886–1940). He was a grandson of Grand Duke Alexander Mikhailovich of Russia
Grand Duke Alexander Mikhailovich of Russia
Grand Duke Alexander Mihailovich of Russia, Александр Михайлович Aleksandr Mihailovits was a dynast of the Russian Empire, a naval officer, an author, explorer, the brother-in-law of Emperor Nicholas II, and an advisor of the said Emperor.-Biography: Alexander was born the son of Grand Duke...
and Grand Duchess Xenia Alexandrovna of Russia
Grand Duchess Xenia Alexandrovna of Russia
Grand Duchess Xenia Alexandrovna of Russia was a daughter of Tsar Alexander III of Russia and the elder of Tsar Nicholas II two sisters. She married her cousin Grand Duke Alexander Mikailovich of Russia, with whom she had seven children....
and a great nephew of Nicholas II
Nicholas II of Russia
Nicholas II was the last Emperor of Russia, Grand Prince of Finland, and titular King of Poland. His official short title was Nicholas II, Emperor and Autocrat of All the Russias and he is known as Saint Nicholas the Passion-Bearer by the Russian Orthodox Church.Nicholas II ruled from 1894 until...
, the last Emperor of Russia. From his father's first marriage he had two siblings, an older sister Xenia
Princess Xenia Andreevna of Russia
Princess Xenia Andreevna Romanoff was a direct descendant of the Tsars of Russia. She was a great niece of Nicholas II, the last reigning Russian Emperor.-Biography:Princess Xenia was born in Paris, on 10 March 1919...
and a younger brother Andrew
Prince Andrew Romanov
Prince Andrew Andreevich Romanoff is a Russian prince and artist.-Biography:He was born in London, United Kingdom, the youngest child of Prince Andrei Alexandrovich of Russia and his first wife Elisabetha Sasso-Ruffo...
. From his father's second marriage he had one half sister, Olga
Princess Olga Andreevna Romanoff
Princess Olga Andreevna Romanoff is a Russian princess and descendant of the House of Romanov.-Biography:She was born in London the daughter of Prince Andrei Alexandrovich of Russia and his second wife Nadine Sylvia Ada McDougall...
.
Neither Grand Duke Cyril Vladimirovich nor his son Grand Duke Vladimir Cyrillovich (who were heads of the House of Romanov from 1924 to 1992) recognised Michael as a Prince of Russia. Cyril and Vladimir held that the marriage of Prince Michael Andreevitch's parents was not dynastic and that Michael had no succession rights to the Russian throne. They accorded him the title Prince Romanovsky .
Prince Michael Andreevich was educated at Beaumont College
Beaumont College
Beaumont College was a Jesuit public school in Old Windsor, Berkshire, England. In 1967 the school closed. The property became a conference centre, and from 2008 an hotel.-History of the estate:...
in Old Windsor, and lived with his parents and his grandmother Grand Duchess Xenia in exile at Frogmore Cottage on the grounds of Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle is a medieval castle and royal residence in Windsor in the English county of Berkshire, notable for its long association with the British royal family and its architecture. The original castle was built after the Norman invasion by William the Conqueror. Since the time of Henry I it...
and later at Wilderness House until he enlisted to serve in the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. During the war Michael served in Australia with the Fleet Air Arm
Fleet Air Arm
The Fleet Air Arm is the branch of the British Royal Navy responsible for the operation of naval aircraft. The Fleet Air Arm currently operates the AgustaWestland Merlin, Westland Sea King and Westland Lynx helicopters...
. He moved there permanently following the conclusion of the war and became an aviation engineer.
Marriages and later life
Prince Michael Andreevich married three times. On 24 February 1953 at SydneySydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
he married Jill Murphy (b. 1921); the marriage was short lived and was dissolved by divorce in September 1953. On 23 July 1954 at Sydney he married Shirley Cramond (1916–1983). On 14 July 1993 at Sydney he married Giulia Crespi (b. 1930). Michael had no children from any of his marriages.
In 1980 Prince Michael Andreevich became Imperial protector of the Sovereign Order of the Orthodox Knights Hospitaller of St. John of Jerusalem which was formally under the protection of his father Prince Andrei and uncle Prince Vasili
Prince Vasili Alexandrovich of Russia
Prince Vasili Alexandrovich of Russia was a son of Grand Duke Alexander Mikhailovich of Russia and Grand Duchess Xenia Alexandrovna of Russia...
. In 2006 he was elected Grand Prior. He was also vice president of the Romanov Family Association
Romanov Family Association
The Romanov Family Association, Obyedineniye Chlenov Roda Romanovykh , is an organization for male-line descendants of Emperor Paul I of Russia...
.
Prince Michael Andreevich died at 2am on 22 September 2008 in Sydney, Australia, the same day as his cousin, Prince Michael Feodorovich of Russia, the son of Prince Feodor Alexandrovich of Russia
Prince Feodor Alexandrovich of Russia
Prince Feodor Alexandrovich of Russia was a son of Grand Duke Alexander Mikhailovich of Russia and Grand Duchess Xenia Alexandrovna of Russia. He was a nephew of Tsar Nicholas II of Russia-Russian prince:...
.
Title and styles
- His Highness Prince Michael Andreevich of Russia
N.B. After the Russian revolution members of the Imperial family tended to drop the territorial designation “of Russia” and use the princely title with the surname Romanov. However this title, and even his right to the surname Romanov were disputed by some.