Anastasia in 1904
Anastasia was born on June 18th, 1901. The Czar had to actually take a walk to compose himself about having yet another daughter before going to see her. Her name means "Breaker of Chains" and in honor of her birth, her father pardoned and reinstated students who had been imprisoned for participating in riots in St. Petersburg and Moscow the previous winter.
The Czar did not want his children to grow up spoiled. They slept on hard cots, and only got pillows when they were sick. They took cold baths in the morning, and were expected to keep their rooms tidy and do needlework to be sold at various charity events when they had the time. Most of the house servants did not refer to Anastasia as "Your Imperial Highness" but rather by her first name and patronym Anastasia Nikolaevna. She was sometimes called by the French version of her name "Anastasie". Some members of the family called her "Malenkaya", which means "Little (one)".
The Czar did not want his children to grow up spoiled. They slept on hard cots, and only got pillows when they were sick. They took cold baths in the morning, and were expected to keep their rooms tidy and do needlework to be sold at various charity events when they had the time. Most of the house servants did not refer to Anastasia as "Your Imperial Highness" but rather by her first name and patronym Anastasia Nikolaevna. She was sometimes called by the French version of her name "Anastasie". Some members of the family called her "Malenkaya", which means "Little (one)".
A little Anastasia knitting in her mother's boudoir.
Growing up, Anastasia was an energetic child. A governess of the Grand Duchess said she "had the greatest personal charm of any child she had ever seen." Though she was declared to be gifted and bright, Anastasia never liked the confinement of the classroom. Her tutors called her vivacious, mischievious, and a gifted actress. Her sharp, witty remarks often hit sensitive spots.
During WWI, the Russian Royal Family volunteered with the red cross. However, Maria and Anastasia were too young to be nurses, so they helped out by entertaining the patients by playing checkers with them, and Anastasia told them funny stories and jokes to put their minds at ease. One patient who knew Anastasia recalled that she walked "as though tripping along" and said she "had a laugh like a squirrel".
During WWI, the Russian Royal Family volunteered with the red cross. However, Maria and Anastasia were too young to be nurses, so they helped out by entertaining the patients by playing checkers with them, and Anastasia told them funny stories and jokes to put their minds at ease. One patient who knew Anastasia recalled that she walked "as though tripping along" and said she "had a laugh like a squirrel".
Anastasia and her Siblings
From left to right:
Maria, Olga, Alexei, Anastasia, Tatiana.
Anastasia had a unique relationship with each sibling. As the two youngest daughters, Anastasia and Maria were called "the Little Pair". They were the best of friends, though Anastasia did make fun of her from time to time.
Anastasia had a weaker relationship with her older sisters, Olga and Tatiana, referred to as "the Big Pair". Olga cared a lot about politics which bored Anastasia, and Tatiana loved her appearance while Anastasia cared very little, even being seen eating chocolates in her opera gloves.
Anastasia and Alexei also had a strong bond. Because of his Hemophilia, Alexei was often bedridden from small cuts and went through a lot of pain. Anastasia would often sit by his bedside and tell him jokes and stories to take his mind off his pain, and she was very protective and loving towards her baby brother.
Anastasia had a weaker relationship with her older sisters, Olga and Tatiana, referred to as "the Big Pair". Olga cared a lot about politics which bored Anastasia, and Tatiana loved her appearance while Anastasia cared very little, even being seen eating chocolates in her opera gloves.
Anastasia and Alexei also had a strong bond. Because of his Hemophilia, Alexei was often bedridden from small cuts and went through a lot of pain. Anastasia would often sit by his bedside and tell him jokes and stories to take his mind off his pain, and she was very protective and loving towards her baby brother.