Birth of son to the Heir to the Imperial throne of Russia

The Office of the Head of the Russian Imperial House, Grand Duchess Maria of Russia, today issued the following statement concerning the birth of HSH Prince Alexander Georgievich, son of the heir to the Imperial throne of Russia, Grand Duke George of Russia, and Princess Victoria Romanovna:

On October 21, 2022, Our daughter-in-law, Her Serene Highness Princess Victoria Romanovna, the spouse of Our son and heir His Imperial Highness The Tsesarevich and Grand Duke George of Russia, was delivered of a son, Our grandson, who has been given the name Alexander.

Welcoming this new addition to Our Family as a sign of God's grace, I ask all Our countrymen to offer fervent prayers to the Almighty for the health and well-being of the newborn. In accordance with Our current Family Law and the Family Act of September 14/27, 2020, Our grandson will be called His Serene Highness Prince Alexander Georgievich.

Issued in Madrid, 21 October, in the Year 2022 since the Nativity of Christ, and in the twenty-first year [sic!] of our succession to the rights and duties of Our August Ancestors - the Emperors of All the Russia.

H.I.H. The Grand Duchess Maria of Russia

As far as I understand it the head of the Russian Imperial House has previously declared that the marriage between George and Victoria is not dynastic, which means that Prince Alexander as of now is not a dynast. However, it is expected that Grand Duke George when he succeeds to the headship will declare his marriage as dynastic and that by then his son will become first in line to the throne.

The pregnancy was announced by the Russian Imperial House on 21 May 2022. Two months later we were informed that the couple expected a boy. Grand Duke George and Princess Victoria Romanovna, the former Rebecca Virginia Bettarini, were married on 1 October 2021.

Heir to the Imperial throne of Russia marries

The religious wedding of the Tsesarevich of Russia, Grand Duke George, and the former Rebecca Virginia Bettarini, who took the name Victoria Romanovna following her conversion to the Orthodox faith in July 2020, took place in the St. Isaac Cathedral in St. Petersburg, Russia on 1 October 2021. The civil wedding took place on 24 September 2021 in the Moscow City Hall. 

Grand Duke George Mikhailovich is the only son of the head of the Russian Imperial House, Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna and her former husband Prince Franz Wilhelm of Russia. Victoria Romanovna, b. Rome 18 May 1982, is the daughter of Roberto Bettarini and Carla Virginia Bettarini, née Cacciatore. The wedding was announced on 21 january 2021. As far as I understand it the head of the Russian Imperial House has declared the union not to be dynastic.

The wedding was attended by about 1500 people, while 500 attended the gala dinner afterwards. The wedding progran can be viewed at the website of the Russian Legitimist. Please see the blogs Netty Royal and Royal Musings for more details.