Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-06
BRIDE ELECT is BEAUTIFUL
Only Brother of Emperor Nicholas
and Niece of King Edward.
STORY OF ROYAL CoURTsHIP
Princess Has Travelled a Great Deal
and is Said to Be Talented
and Charming.

rage has been arranged between the
Grand Duke Michael, only brother Of En-
peror Nicholas, and Princess Patricia of
Connaught, niece Of King Edward The
betrothal occurred during the grand dukes
recent trip to Copenhagen and Scotland,
from which he has just returned.
From Copenhagen Grand Duke Michael
went directly to join the imperial party In
Finnish waters and receive his brothers
formal approval of the engagement He
was heartily congratulated by all the
members of the imperial family. He will
leave Russia in a day or two for London,
where after securing the consent of King
nounced.
Received With Hostility.
The last visit Of Grand Duke Michael to
London was during the Boer war, when
feeling ran high, and he was received with
some hostility: but his approaching mar
riage with the most popular of the Eng
lish princesses will, 1t Is expected, inspire
different welcome.
Though. until the birth of the infant heir
to the Russian throne, the Grand Duke
Michael was one of the most eligible of
the royal bachelors of Europe, he never
figured prominently in matrimonial gossip.
except that there was some talk several
years ago of his engagement to his cousin.
the Grand Duchess Helene, the daughter
of Grand Duke Vladimir. now the wife of
Prince Nicholas of Greece. The Princess
Patricia and Grand Duke Michael have
been acquainted since childhood. and FREE
quently met at the reunions of the family.
Must Embrace Russian Faith.
According to the Russian custom, 1t will
be necessary for Princess Patricia to en-
brace the orthodox Russian faith, but the
difference from the Anglican Church Is
so small as to present no insuperable OBJ
jections
Though the Dowager Empress of Russia
and Queen Alexandra are sisters, a direct
marriage between the English and Russian
reigning houses Is almost unprecedented.
OF late years members of the Russian i'm
perial family have sought consorts p1 n
cipally in Germany.
The new departure Is significant Of the
altered relations which have been spring
ing up since the Russo-Japanese war,
though formal understanding between
Great Britain and Russia still rests on
future negotiations. These have not even
reached the stage Of an agreement being
drafted. but the pour parlers are making
excellent progress in the tactful hands of
the British ambassador. Sir Arthur Nieol-
son. and the Russian foreign minister, NJ.
1svolsky. who hold almost daily conferences
at the foreign office.
1t Is reported that marriage is being ar
ranged between the Grand Duchess Eliza
beth. widow Of Grand Duke Sergius, and
Grand Duke Nicholas Nichoiaievitch. COM
mander of the troops in st. Petersburg. The
Grand Duchess Elizabeth is a sister of the
empress. and though in the forties Eas a
very attractive personality.
Popular and Beautiful.
LONDON. October 8-Princess Patricia
of Connaught. whose engagement to Grand
Duke Michael is announced from ST. Peters,
burg. is one of the most popular and prob
ably the best looking of the younger gener-
alton Of the British princesses. She is in her
twenty first year. The news Of her engage
ment has not yet been given out in London
but the friendly feeling here toward Rus
STA has made such great strides in recent
months that there is every prospect that
the proposed alliance between the imperial
and royal houses will prove very popular
The princess Is of bright, happy DISPOSE
ton. During the past two years she has
been mixing in society and has made her
self great favorite. She is an enthusiastic
sportswoman, Is especially fond Of boating
and fishing. and has killed many salmon
both in Ireland and Scotland.
Princess Patricia has opinions of her own
and strength of character enough to stick
to them. demonstrated some time ago
when her marriage to King Alfonso was
mooted. Despite persuasion, she resolutely
declined to entertain the suggestion, declar-
ing she would never marry any one she did
not love. even to become queen. The
princess has Travelled a great deal, having
accompanied her father to India and South
Africa. In Ireland, after whose patron
saint she is named, the princess did much.
to popularize the royal family by her social
and charitable activities.
Grand Duke Michael Alexandroyftch
brother Of the Russian emperor was born
November %. 1878, and from the date of
the accession Of Nicholas until the birth of
the latters son was the heir presumptive to
the Russian throne.