Princess Irina Alexandrovna was born on July 15, 1895 in St. Petersburg. She was the first of seven children born to Grand Duke Alexander Mikhailovich and Grand Duchess Xenia Alexandrovna, and their only daughter.

From mariaroyalcollection.blogspot.com.au

Unlike most Russians, Irina’s family was wealthy and powerful. She was the niece of Tsar Nicholas II. As a member of the Romanov family, she was friendly with her cousin, the Grand Duchess Olga, but they weren’t together often. Irina’s father had strenuous political disagreements with his older brother that led to strained family relations.

I don’t know what the Grand Duke’s sentiments were but the brothers were on good enough terms that he was invited to and attended the tsar’s extravagant costume ball in February 1903. He seemed to have a premonition of sorts and later he wrote, “It was the last spectacular ball in the history of the empire…a new and hostile Russia glared through the large windows of the palace…while we danced, the workers were striking and the clouds in the Far East were hanging dangerously low.”

The winter ball of 1903

The family spent much of their time living in the south of France and spoke French more fluently than Russian. The marriage between the duke and duchess was not a happy one. Irena’s father made repeated pleas for a divorce. He wanted to marry another woman, but his wife refused absolutely. Instead he continued his extramarital relationship while his wife had a succession of affairs. Apparently, all of this was successfully hidden from their children. Perhaps this was possible because the children were primarily raised by nannies.

Irina had blue eyes and dark hair. She was rather shy but from the time she was little, her wealth and royal status prompted speculation about who the girl would marry. As she grew, the princess became more sure of herself–though still quiet.

Irina first encountered Prince Felix Yusupov by chance when she was 15 years old. Felix later wrote: “One day when I was out riding I met a very beautiful girl accompanied by an elderly lady. Our eyes met and she made such an impression on me that I reined in my horse to gaze at her as she walked on.”

[I’ve seen several spellings of the name Yusupov. This one seems to be the most common.]

Moika Palace, the prince’s home

Felix was a Russian nobleman, the son of a count and a princess, so there was no question of societal eligibility. Money may have been issue had not it been for the untimely death of the heir to the family fortune. The eldest son, 25-year-old Nikolai Felixovich, found himself in an uncomfortable position when the husband of his mistress discovered their affair and challenged his rival to a duel. The two met on Krestovsky Island in June of 1908, where Nikolai was killed.

Young Felix (left) with his parents and older brother Nikolai

Felix was not much like his boisterous older brother. He was bisexual, openly consorted with men and women, and frequently cross-dressed. After Nikolai’s death, he went to England to study at Oxford. The family may have believed this step would produce a more serious side of their son. Instead,  rumors floated back to them that Felix was experimenting with theatre, where he played female roles.

Felix had at least the positive quality of generosity. Around the time he was studying at the university, the young prince announced to his mother that he was “not fit for marriage,” and stated his intention to bequeath the family fortune to the poor. His outraged mother energetically condemned this scheme and told Felix he had a duty to marry and produce children.

When Felix returned home from school in 1913, he met Irina again. By then she was 18, a suitable age to marry. Felix was quite taken with her.

“I learned to admire the keenness of her intelligence and her sound judgment. I concealed nothing in my past life from her, and, far from being perturbed by what I told her, she showed great tolerance and comprehension.”

The couple announced their engagement. Irina’s parents had not delved into the prince’s reputation when he was an acquaintance but as the prospective husband to their daughter, they made inquiries and were alarmed by what they found. The Tsarina Alexandra is reputed to have said, “Felix’s ideas are absolutely revolutionary.” As you might imagine, “revolutionary” was not a compliment in the tsar’s family.

They pleaded with Irina to call off the wedding, telling her that by marrying someone who was not a royal, she would have to renounce her right to the throne. This was not an effective argument, partly because many people preceded her in the line of succession. Irina was unmoved and the wedding was scheduled for February 22, 1914.

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