THE 1976 WEDDING OF THE GRAND DUCHESS MARIA
The Romanoff dynasty lost its throne slightly more than a century ago. Since 1917, there have been only a handful of major public occasions that centered on the dynasty.
In 1928, surviving members of the dynasty and representatives from many other royal families assembled in Copenhagen for the funeral of Her Imperial Majesty the Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna, the mother of Tsar-Martyr Nicholas II.
In 1938, Her Imperial Highness the Grand Duchess Kira of Russia, younger daughter of Emperor-in-Exile Kirill, married in Potsdam His Royal Highness Prince Louis-Ferdinand of Prussia, who later became Head of the Prussian Royal House. Among the groomsmen were the bride’s brother the Grand Duke Wladimir, her uncle Grand Duke Dmitry Pavlovich of Russia and her cousin Prince Vsevelode of Russia.
In 1976, Her Imperial Highness the Grand Duchess Maria of Russia, daughter of the Grand Duke Wladimir, Head of the Russian Imperial House, married in Madrid His Royal Highness Prince Franz-Wilhelm of Prussia.
Among other guests, the 1976 wedding of the Grand Duchess Maria was attended by four kings and six queens. The kings were King Juan Carlos of Spain, King Simeon II of Bulgaria, King Umberto II of Italy and King Leka of Albania. The queens were Queen Sofia of Spain (consort of King Juan Carlos), Queen Ioanna of Bulgaria (widow of King Boris III), Queen Geraldine of Albania (widow of King Zog), Queen Farida of Egypt (former consort of King Farouk), Queen Margarita of Bulgaria (consort of King Simeon II), and Queen Susan of Albania (consort of King Leka). Queen Ioanna of Bulgaria (born Princess Giovanna of Savoy, daughter of King Victor Emmanuel III of Italy and sister of King Umberto II of Italy) was the godmother of Grand Duchess Maria. (Her godfather was the late Grand Duke Andrew of Russia, her grandfather’s brother.)
Recently, Professor Russell Martin was given a set of photographs of the 1976 wedding by Mr. Peter N. Koltypin-Wallowskoy, a guest at the wedding. Dr. Martin explained to us that these photographs have been submitted to the Chancellery of Grand Duchess Maria in Moscow for inclusion in an eventual photograph gallery which is being planned for the Chancellery’s website. He agreed, however, to share a dozen of these rare photographs with The Russian Legitimist.
We are displaying them here.
A crowd begins to assemble at the church.
Arrival of King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain at the church. Queen Sofia greets Grand Duchess Leonida of Russia, mother of the bride.
The bride arrives at the church, on the arm of her father, Grand Duke Wladimir.
Standing during the marriage ceremony, from left to right, King Leka of Albania (in uniform), Queen Margarita of Bulgaria, King Simeon II of Bulgaria (wearing the Collar of the Order of St. Andrew bestowed on him by the Grand Duke Wladimir), King Umberto II of Italy (wearing the Collar of the Order of St. Andrew bestowed on him by Emperor Nicholas II), Prince Kardam of Bulgaria (eldest son of King Simeon II), Queen Sofia of Spain and King Juan Carlos of Spain. In the lower right corner, the miraculous Kursk icon of the Mother of God "of the Sign" may be seen. This wonderworking icon was sent from New York by the Hierarchs of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia for the august occasion,
During the marriage ceremony, with the typical Orthodox tradition of placing crowns above the heads of the bride and groom.
Immediately after the marriage ceremony. Left to right, Prince Louis Ferdinand of Prussia, Head of the Prussian Royal House, the bride, the groom, Queen Ioanna of Bulgaria, and Grand Duke Wladimir of Russia.
The bride and groom leave the church.
King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain leave the church, followed by Grand Duke Wladimir of Russia.
The bride and groom stand together at the reception following the wedding
The head table at the dinner held following the wedding.
King Juan Carlos, the bride, the groom, and Queen Sofia take their seats at the head table.
The head table. In the foreground at the left are Prince Louis Ferdinand, Head of the Prussian Royal House, and Queen Geraldine of Albania. On the right, Grand Duchess Leonida of Russia, mother of the bride, chats with King Juan Carlos. To the right of Grand Duchess Leonida is the Infanta Margarita of Spain, sister of King Juan Carlos.
The head table. From left to right, Queen Ioanna of Bulgaria, Prince Louis Ferdinand of Prussia (Head of the Prussian Royal House), Queen Geraldine of Albania, King Umberto II of Italy, Queen Susan of Albania, King Simeon II of Bulgaria, and Infanta Pilar of Spain (sister of King Juan Carlos).
The head table. King Juan Carlos in foreground chats with Grand Duchess Leonida. At opposite side of the table, King Leka of Albania, in uniform, chats with Queen Ioanna of Bulgaria.
The groom kisses the hand of Queen Sofia as the King and Queen of Spain leave at the end of the dinner.