The Romanovs are eternally fascinating. Because of their great wealth and fame, the glamour of their lifestyle was captured in photographs and even video, and they always look stunning.

History.com

Perhaps the one exception are the pictures taken in the spring of 1917. The children had caught the measles, and the only treatment available at the time caused their hair to fall out.

When the family was assassinated on July 17, 1918, the girls’ hair had grown to their shoulders. The fate of the family was a mystery until 1991, when most of the remains were discovered. However, Tsarevich Alexei and Grand Duchess Maria were not located until 2007.  One way scientists used to identify the girls’ bodies was by comparing the proportions of the skulls to these photographs.

Their somber expressions take on a new meaning, as if pleading for help that no one could give.

alexanderpalace.org