Dagmar of Denmark

Marie Sophie Frederikke Dagmar of Denmark (November 26, 1847 - October 13, 1928), who was known as Maria Fyodorovna Romanova after her marriage to Tsar Alexander III was the mother of the last Russian Tsar Nicholas II of the Romanov Dynasty. She was baptized Dagmar Marie. Her father Christian IX, who, because of the brilliant marriages of his children, was known as the "father-in-law of Europe, " was the king of Denmark (1863-1906).

She was a younger sister of Alexandra, Queen consort of King Edward VII and mother of George V of the United Kingdom. This helps to explains why there is such a striking resemblance between Nicholas II and George V of the United Kingdom.

She was married to Russian Tsar Alexander III (Alexandrovich Romanov). Pretty and popular, Maria Feodorovna rarely interfered with politics, preferring her to devote her time and energies to her family and to her charities. Her once exception to this "hands off" policy was her militant dislike of Germany.

Despite the overthrow of the monarchy (1917), the Empress Maria at first refused to leave Russia: it was only in 1919, at the urging of her sister Alexandra, that she grudgingly departed. After a brief visit to London, she return to her native Denmark, choosing as her home Hvidøre, her former holiday villa near Copenhagen. There she remained until her death in 1928; following services in Copenhagen's Orthodox church, she was interred at Roskilde Cathedral.

Plays and films aside, Maria Feodorovna never met any of the Anastasia claimants; indeed, to the end of her life, she refused to acknowledge that the massacre of her son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren had ever taken place.

The children of Tsar Alexander III and Maria Fyodorovna:

• Tsar Nicholas II of Russia (May 6, 1868 - July 17, 1918).
• Alexander, Grand Duke of Russia (June 7, 1869 - May 2, 1870).
• George, Grand Duke of Russia (May 6, 1871 - August 9, 1899).
• Xenia Alexandrovna Romanova (April 6, 1875 - April 20, 1960).
• Mikhail Alexandrovitch Romanov (November 28, 1878 - c. June 12, 1918).
• Olga Alexandrovna Romanova (June 13, 1882 - November 24, 1960).