THE EMPRESS OF RUSSIA IN CANNES (06). Letter A.S. from Princ - Lot 645

THE EMPRESS OF RUSSIA IN CANNES (06). Letter A.S. from Prince Nicolas ORLOFF (1827–1885), a Russian diplomat and military writer who accompanied the Empress of Russia to France. CANNES, January 7, 1880, 4 pages, in-8°: “I have just received your letter of the 3rd. I went to church, where I prayed and wept... I broke the painful news to the Empress (of Russia, 1824–1880), who is very ill and in poor health. In a weak voice, but deeply moved, she asked me to convey to you her heartfelt and profound sympathy. Dear, poor Sovereign. She is but a shadow of her former self; yet her heart remains unchanged...” — The Russian Empress’s visit to Cannes set the tone for the entire Russian aristocracy, who loved to frequent the Riviera. Empress Maria Alexandrovna, born Princess Marie of Hesse-Darmstadt, stayed in Cannes in 1879 on the advice of her doctors during the long Russian winter. She came with her children (eight in all) and lived in great style. She died in June 1880.