Tsar Nicholas II

1868-1918

Childhood and Teenage years 1868-1888

Nicholas II was born on May 18, 1868 in St. Petersburg, to Tsar Alexander III, and Marie Fyodorovna.  His father disliked his soft nature, and often called him "girlie-girl" in front of his peers.  He also openly questioned Nicholas succeeding him.  His mother was the opposite, doted on him, and spoiled him.  In 1869, Alexander and Marie had another son named Alexander, but he died from meningitis before he was one.  Then in 1871 once again, they bore a son this time named George.  In close succession followed Xenia, 1875, Mikhail, 1878, and Olga 1882. 
 


Nicholas and his mother.
Nicholas with his mother in 1869.

    Nicholas's main playmate growing up was his younger brother George.  George was especially good at telling jokes, and could always make Nicholas laugh.
    At 13, his grandfather Tsar Alexander II died from a bomb exploding, Nicholas suddenly became Tsarevich.  The death of his grandfather was especially hard on Nicky.
    When Nicky was 14 he started keeping a journal of the days events.  A habit he kept his entire life, and urged his children to keep one also.
 

Marie, Nicholas, and George.
George, Nicky, Xenia, Olga, Marie, and Mikhail in a family portrait.
George and Nicky.

    At the wedding of Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich and Princess Elisabeth of Hesse and by Rhine in 1884, Tsarevich Nicholas met the love of his life... Princess Alix of Hess and by Rhine.  He was 16 and the time, and she was only 12.  During this time, the carved their intials into a window, and Nicholas proclaimed to his diary that they were in love.  The couple continued to write letters from that time until their marriage and even after that.


A beautiful family photo from around the same time as the wedding where Nicholas met Alexandra.
 
Early Adulthood 1888-1904
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Pre-War Years 1904-1914
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War Years 1914-1918
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Final Days 1918
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