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Whatever the case, the cracks started to show. If it was meant to give Olga and her siblings some humility, it didnt work. Like Alexandra, Nicholass charmed existence as a European royal hid a seriously messed up childhood. Getty Images. Because of the heavy smoke, the guards were only able to see the bottom halves of the surviving victims. Unbeknownst to them, this was all a facade for the horror that awaited them. Something had to be done. Because of this tragic scenario, the family risked losing the loyalty of those around them. Marias family desperately looked for a way to end this scandal once and for all. The Romanov children: Tatiana, Maria, Alexei, Olga and Anastasia, photographed c1910. So when Nicholas finally did marry Alexandra, they were BOTH severely maladjusted. While their encounter was fleeting, Maria immediately made an impact on the young Dickie. But his troubles were far from over. Doctors frantically did everything they could to save the boy, but nothing had any effect. It was supposed to save thembut boy, it did not. did maria romanov sleep with a guard. Maria watched in horror as her siblings Alexei, Olga, and Tatiana were brutally executed. Reportedly, when Nicholas heard the news, he had to take a long walk to collect himself. After the Bolsheviks extinguished the entire Romanov family, they set about disposing of the bodies. account vary cried out and covered her face with her hands. She was stabbed again in such a frenzy that several soldiers vomited while others fled the scene. Catherine the Great (1729 - 1796) Getty Images. Historians believe that, worried that Nicholass presence would damage his own monarchy, George reneged out of self-preservation. However, when the Marxists revolutionaries known as the Bolsheviks seized power in October 1917, they decided to move the family to Ekaterinburg, where the fervently-Bolshevik population would prevent any attempts at rescue or escape. And when a boy finally did come along, things only got worse. Deeply religious people, each morning they prayed before doing their best to keep themselves busy with anything they could. The Romanovs were kept inside a house with whitewashed windows and only allowed to go outside for one hour each day. Tatiana was a stunning childand more than that, she looked exactly like her mother Alexandra, who was no slouch in the looks department, either. Her family discovered their relationship and quickly sentSkorokhodov to prison. Unfortunately, people considered her one of the homeliest looking people in her family, and her future siblings Tatiana and Maria far outshone her as court beauties. After some deliberation, Marias sisters decided on Maria to go, as all three of her sisters had other priorities in one way or another, and Alexei had had a hemophilia attack which left him partially paralyzed. The revolutionaries didnt look kindly on the Romanovs continuing to live in privilege. Running out of options, Alexandra called for a strange mystic from Siberia who claimed to be able to heal the boy. Soon, some evidence arose that gave credence to these claims. In fact, these crushes often got too close for comfort. In addition to the illicit birthday cake, Skorokhodov allegedly stole Maria away from her party for a private interlude. Following the murder of the last Tsar, the Tsarina and their five children in 1918, all seven were canonised . They didnt just have pet names for each other, they also had pet names for their private, er, parts. alaska air cargo sitka phone number. The 19th century British monarch's son Leopold, Duke of Albany, died from blood loss after he slipped and fell. The Romanovs and Rasputin. Princess Anastasia is almost a hallowed, mythical name today, but the real girl was a lot more human than we like to think. It truly did seem like a miracle. Maria was a friendly girl, who was popular with all the men--Yurovsky remarks as much in a testimony he wrote for Soviet archives--but her . But it was already too late. Despite her fiery temper and strong backbone, Maria was a romantic at heart, and it wasnt long before she softened toward one guard in particular. Marias sweet disposition and looks earned her the nickname treasure from her father Nicholas, but her sisters treated her horribly. Throughout, her mother Princess Alice refused to leave her childrens sides and managed to nurse Alexandra and some of her siblingsback to health. His aunt noted that he was an amazingly hefty baby with a chest like a barrel and the air of a warrior knight. However, when the time came to cut the umbilical cord, they realized something was seriously wrong. Copyright 2023 by Factinate.com. did maria romanov sleep with a guardspecialized structures of banana. If the Khodynka tragedy was a bad start to Nicholass rule, he soon made it even worse. The reason they were given was fighting in the streets. The other girls survived because the bullets bounced . Now, this was a blow. The palace servants never called them by their royal titles, and Alexandra even forced them to sleep on hard cots every night while taking cold baths every morning. When WWI started, Maria wanted to find a way to give back, but was too young to join the Red Cross as a nurse like her older sisters and mother. Soon enough, people started to notice. Catherine of Aragon was King Henry VIIIs first wife and longest-lasting Queen of England. Wikimedia CommonsThe Romanov sisters in exile. She soon learned, however, that the guard was inescapable. Factinate is a fact website that is dedicated to finding and sharing fun facts about science, history, animals, films, people, and much more. A previous version of this article states that the Ipatiev House was in Moscow. She felt so at ease that she said she would be happy to live at Tobolsk indefinitely. Historians now widely believe that Anderson was actually Franziska Schanzkowska, a mentally-ill Polish factory worker. While many believed it was Anastasia who was missing, scientific advancements eventually proved otherwise. Unfortunately for Marias family, it wasnt enough for Nicholas to just abdicate the throne. Everyone in the palace eagerly awaited a boy, most especially Alexandra herself. The findings confirmed the tragic truth. With the White Army advancing towards the city, a decision was taken to summarily execute the family. The Ipatiev House, was a neat and tidy merchant's mansion - and a well guarded one too. Not only did she catch this severe illness, but she developed virulent pneumonia simultaneously. In 1907, a three-year-old Alexei Romanov stumbled and hurt his leg. For now, though, they remained rumorsbut things didnt get better for Olga. Were always looking for your input! Amazingly, the dog made the trek across Siberia and eventually to England, where he lived out his days close to Windsor Castle. Certain allegations state that either Maria or her sister Anastasia actually woke up on the way onto the truck and started screaming. Madame de Pompadour didn't just share King Louis XV's bed, she also shared his power. In a seemingly routine operation to remove her tonsils, the princess began bleeding profusely while on the table, so much so that the doctor operating stopped partway through. Based on the condition of their unearthed skeletons, a rather chilling theory is that while Nicholas II was definitely shot, his children were doused with acid and burned at one point, possibly while they were still alive. Read our articlewith information on how it all went. 2. Anastasia Romanov. In 1884, she met the future Tsar Nicholas II of Russia, then just a prince, at her sisters wedding. lena knows kara is supergirl fanfic did maria romanov sleep with a guard. Maria Romanov and Anastasia at the hospital visiting wounded soldiers. Instead, she visited the wounded officers at Tsarskoye Selo. She also seemed to sense that Russia was rising up, once asking a servant, Why has the feeling in the country changed against my father? These unsettling inklings would soon turn into full-blown terror. Maria was a shameless flirt, always batting her lashes at the young officers and even those who guarded her. Collectively, the four sisters referred to themselves as OTMA (for the first . She knew exactly what that meant, crying out: Oh, it cannot be true. To help raise their morale, Maria and her sister Anastasia played checkers and billiards with the officers at the private hospital. Discoverers originally found the grave almost a decade prior, but at the time, the Russian government decided to keep it a secret. Both Alexandra and four of her siblings fell ill alongside her father, Grand Duke Louis IV. He prayed over Alexeis withering frame and said: Your pain is going away. Nicholas II was one of historys biggest bratty rich kidsand Russia would pay dearly for it. Allegedly, his mother was hopeful that Carol would marry one of Tsar Nicholass daughters and Maria fit the bill. (Photo by Laski Diffusion/Getty Images) The Ipatiev House in Ekaterinburg. Alix hardly slept all night, and towards morning the pains got stronger. But although the haze had made their assassination attempt all the more difficult, their bloody dealings were far from over. But for all that Alexandras life looked like a fairy tale, it quickly turned into an absolute nightmare. The Bolsheviks buried the bodies of the Romanovs in an unmarked grave, and the Soviet Union did not publicize their passing. 'Peterhof, A happy day: the Lord has sent us a third daughter - Maria, who was safely born at 12.10! massey hall obstructed view June 24, 2022. steve rhodes obituary 2021. medieval dynasty rye vs wheat Comments closed did maria romanov sleep with a guard. The Romanovs were thunderstruck with grief at Alexeis illness, and it drove them to a controversial decision. did maria romanov sleep with a guardcritical care paramedic course iowa. Copyright 2023 by Factinate.com. Nonetheless,Tsar Nicholas II and Tsarina Alexandra were widely said to be caring parents who gave their children plenty of affection. The Tsars sister called Rasputin sinister, and refused to speak about him to the children. Um, sure doesnt sound like this guy is ready to tie the knot. Empress Alexandra Was Queen Victoria's Favorite. DNA testing was performed in an attempt to identify the remains. In the midnight hours of July 17, 1918, the end finally came. did maria romanov sleep with a guard. Sofia quite rightly reported this gross scene to Tsar Nicholas, who wasnt quite as mesmerized by Rasputin at that point as his wife was. If you think that would make him a spoiled brat, youre right on the money. Room in the Ipatiev House, Yekaterinburg, where the Russian royal family was brutally murdered, 1918. Can hardly believe it myself. Empress Alexandra, the matriarch of the Romanov brood, was the last Tsarina of Russia. Intimate photos of the Romanovs, shortly before their execution, 1915-1916. exual revelations are not a traditional feature of the Romanov myth. Please let us know if a fact weve published is inaccurate (or even if you just suspect its inaccurate) by reaching out to us at contribute@factinate.com. At least three of the Romanov children had pet dogs at the time of their execution. When officials finally excavated the grave, they realized that only nine bodies instead of the expected 11 actually laid at that site. Anastasia Romanov. My little Pearl, Rasputin once wrote to Maria, I miss your simple soul. They were attempting to help the family. After the scandal, the allegations against Rasputin only continued. Once more, Alexandra looked like she had a bright future ahead of herbut when it came to her choice of fiance, she probably should have thought twice. Allegedly, the guards left Maria and her family like this for about half an hour. In April 1918, the Bolsheviks moved the Romanovs to the city of Yekaterinburga truly miserable journey. 1. Tsar Nicholas II with daughters (left to right) Maria, Anastasia, Olga and Tatiana Romanov. After all, giving Russia a male heir would solidify her place in court and transform her from a suspicious outsider to the mother of the crown prince. It didnt matter that Nicholas wasnt prepared, he was Gods agent on Earth, so anything he did was Gods will, not a mistake. Once, she got annoyed at having to sit for a paintingand her words to the artist were absolutely brutal. Catherine of Aragon was King Henry VIIIs first wife and longest-lasting Queen of England. Over 100 years ago in 1918, Tsar Nicholas II, his wife Alexandra, and all five of their children were executed. Marias father wholeheartedly believed that they would be able to leave the house, but things never worked out the way he wanted them to. Born Princess Alix of Hesse and the Rhine in 1872, she was actually a granddaughter of Queen Victoriaand Victorias favorite grandchild to boot. Mikhail Medvedev, one of the family's Bolshevik guards who would become their executioner,wrote: It was kind of a fortress: two high fences around, a system of outposts inside, machine guns. This was the place where the royal family would spend their last 78 days and die under a hail of gunfire on the night of July 17. Although Olga could be kind, she also had a huge temper and liked to lord her status as the eldest Romanov over everybody. As many of her contemporaries noted, had she not been the daughter of the Tsar, this strong, warmhearted girl would have made some man an excellent wife. Lord Mountbatten, who was cousin to the grand duchesses and met them when he was a young boy, would later reminisce, I was crackers about Mari[a], and was determined to marry her. Even as Maria was on her way to her grave, the viciousness continued. Years later, I was using her phone when I made an utterly chilling discovery. When Marias parents had to leave Siberia to attend a trial in Moscow, they forced one of the Grand Duchesses to accompany them. That much has gone down in history, but not many people know the whole, terrifying story. The final resting place of Russias last imperial family remained a secret for decades. When the Bolsheviks discovered that the children were still alive, they had to round them up again and painstakingly finish the job. Do you imagine that you can woo a well-born woman with such witticisms and have her be well disposed towards you? Her sparkly eyes reflected her lively spirit. Ivan Skorokhodov, allegedly snuck a birthday cake past security for her. That was the end of Nicholas Romanov'sfamily but the saga of the burial and their death's investigation just began. My darling felt well all day and fed the baby herself. However, Maria and Alexei were both missing. Prince Sergei Mikhailovich Putyatin (1893 - 1966), Maria Pavlovna's second husband, divorced in 1923. After Baroness Sophie's declaration, Madame Unknown said, "I never said I was Tatiana.". At one point during their captivity, Nicholas and Alexandra urged their children to sew jewels into their clothing in order to conceal them from the Bolsheviks, who were confiscating priceless heirlooms. But before that could happen, the couple had to go through one formidable obstacle. He published his account of this historic event in his . Rude, cocky, constantly smoking, they provoked fear and disgust.. Her family nicknamed her big blue eyes Maries saucers, while her great-aunt claimed Maria to be a real beautywith enormous blue eyes. Once, a gentleman even said that Maria had the face of a Botticelli angel. Wikimedia CommonsMaria Romanov and Anastasia roughhouse with their cousin, Grand Duke Dmitri Pavlovich. Although Catherine's successor Queen Anne Boleyn suffered an infamously dark fate, Aragon's own life was somehow even more tragic. The two first met back in 1910 when they were 10 and 11 years old. Whiffs of scandal. May 20, 2021; yats chipotle alexio recipe; workplace accident prevention strategies . With a dawning sense of dread, the truth of it all became terribly clearMaria and her family were about to lose their lives. When Maria found out shed be leaving for Moscow, she briefly got her hopes out. The celebration was held at Khodynka Field, the only place nearby that could fit all the people who were supposed to come. The bullets bounced off of the clothing, wounding but not killing the children, though Nicholas and Alexandra had perished in the first volley. The case remained a mystery until July 1991, when nine human skeletons were discovered in a shallow pit around 20 miles from Ekaterinburg, Russia. I tried to get my ex-wife served with divorce papers. Do you question the accuracy of a fact you just read? He created a whole story about how Maria escaped to Romania, where she lived and had a daughter, thus making it possible for him to be a grandson. Alexandra made all her children call him Our Friend, and further forced them to share their deepest secrets with the holy man, performing make-shift confessionals with him. Last but not least, we have Anastasia, the fourth and youngest Romanov sister. On the night of July 16, 1918, a Bolshevik assassination squad executed Czar Nicholas II, his wife, Alexandra, and their five children, putting an end to the Romanov family dynasty . The family was not without its problems, however, namely Alexeis hemophilia. Sure, the pair were pretty much love-at-first-sight, but Nicholas still had some messy bachelor days in him. In 1914, Maria faced a life-threatening ordeal. Yet, Maria Romanov soon found she was still able to pursue her favorite pastime in the House of Special Purpose. She began flirting with the teenage guards, one of whom later recalled her as a girl who loved to have fun and quickly became the guards favorite of the Romanov children. Months after the Romanov murders, King . While the Dowager Empress Maria was certainly appalled that there was no direct male heir, Alexandra and Nicholas didnt seem to mind. Fate, however, had much crueler plans. And they certainly werent thrilled with the announcement of another Grand Duchess. Responding to rumblings of revolution, Tsar Nicholas entered Saint Petersburg and tried to bring his country back under his control. But as time went on, the rot at the center of the Romanovs grew more obvious. A good idea in theory, but these precious baubles would come back to haunt them in the most brutal way. And she wasnt about to let this crush fizzle out. Big Kiss.. Right as her family faced the severe danger of the revolution, Maria caught the measles from her five siblings. He later noted, "Oh, they were lovely . People who knew her best noted her tendency to think she was always right, with her aunt writing, She will never yield one iota of power. Even worse, this imperiousness came with a huge helping of nerves. When he realized he couldnt succeed using his bayonet, he decided to bash either Maria or Anastasia across the face until she stopped screaming. Not only did someone come forward as a grandson, but Maria and her sister also had impersonators come forward. My mom never told me how her best friend died. When Marias birthday passed in 1918, she and her family, still incarcerated, couldnt celebrate properly. While Maria was in Moscow, she sent her siblings an abundance of desperate letters. By this time, Alexandra and Nicholas were definitely getting antsy for a boy,and their response was bone-chilling. Rumors sprang up and spread like wildfire, claiming that Rasputin had not only seduced the governesses, but also Maria and her sisters. The trap worked: the Romanovs spent one of the nights fully dressed, waiting to be rescued. She represented the last direct link to the Romanov family . Russia had somehow managed to stick with Nicholas through scandal after scandalbut WWI broke even the trust of Nicholass aristocrats. Along with the White enemy advance on Yekaterinburg, the Bolshevik decision to get rid of the Romanovs was arrived at. For decades, the so-called Anna Anderson was able to fool the extended family into believing she was in fact Anastasia and that the princess had somehow escaped the execution that horrible night. This twist of fate changed everything. For example, when Anastasia roamed about teasing or even kicking people, Maria would follow behind to apologize profusely. As time wore on, Maria felt increasingly suffocated by the eternal presence of her guard. As Nicholas remarked, We are grateful she was a daughter; if she was a boy she would have belonged to the people, being a girl she belongs to us.. As it turns out, officers intentionally moved Maria and Alexei from their familys burial site, in the hopes of throwing off anyone who found it in the future. And then fate intervened. There, they continued to live in comfort in the former Governors Mansion. Because of Rasputins impact on the Romanov family and Alexeis healing, the family instructed Maria to view Rasputin as a friend and often trusted him with secrets. The guards looked completely indecent, Terentiy Chemodurov, the former Tsars servant who was sent away days before the murder,reportedlater. He went to Evgeniy Botkin, who woke up the entire family. In 1912, the Prince's condition deteriorated so badly that he received the last sacrament. In 1914, WWI broke out. Her parents, Tsar Nicholas II and Tsarina Alexandra Feodorovna not to mention all of Russiahad hoped for a male heir to the Russian throne. Please let us know if a fact weve published is inaccurate (or even if you just suspect its inaccurate) by reaching out to us at contribute@factinate.com. Still, the familys growing regard for Maria didnt end their desperation for a male heir. Because of this, Maria decided to burn much of her written work, including letters and diaries. A month later, she admitted to a nurse that Rasputins death had been necessary. There is even some evidence that of all the Imperial Romanov family, Olga was the only one who didnt attend his funeral. While in Siberia, Maria felt immeasurably comfortable and didnt mind the guards at Tobolsk. They were expecting a child. The execution had gone horribly, horribly wrong. did maria romanov sleep with a guard. Rather than cheery, she became solemn and withdrawnand that was the least of her worrisome behaviors. Maria was a gorgeous young girl, with many relatives and family friends constantly commenting on her natural beauty. The museum is in the old Governor's House with 13 rooms preserved as well as possible from a century ago. The guards remembered her fun-loving personality and undeniable beautyher friendliness and unabashed flirtation. The future Tsar Nicholas II was born in the lap of luxury at the extravagant Alexander Palace in Saint Petersburg. As such, they decided to haze her and expose her to lewd material. The family grew desperateand they found help in a sinister place. One of them anonymously sent her a cutout picture of Michelangelos famous sculpture of David. By Posted christian dior bracelet In hillsboro high school football coaching staff Mountbatten wasnt the only royal who had his eyes set on Marias hand in marriage. On December 30, 1916, powerful courtiers infamously killed Rasputin, stripping the Romanovs of their great favorite. When his superiors randomly inspected Marias home, they caught the two of them in a lusty embrace. Olga and Tatiana began to work as nurses alongside their mother in a military hospital, while Maria and Anastasia visited wounded soldiers, cheering them up with their humor and lively personalities. Over the years, they grew closer and closer, and soon they were both very much in love. Appalling Facts About The Worst Rulers In History, I Couldnt Believe My Eyes: Utterly Insane Real-Life Discoveries, Absolute Legends: The Wildest Pranks Ever Pulled, Entrancing Facts About Madame de Pompadour, Frances Uncrowned Queen, These Bad Dates Are Straight Out Of Our Nightmares, These Nightmare Weddings Made Us Say I DONT!. With a heavy layer of smoke filling the room, Maria saw her chance. At the end of it all, Maria still lost her life alongside her beloved family membersall victims of a gruesome execution. Due partly to the volatile political climate in Russia, and partly to the fact that they were girls, all the public usually saw of them came from photographs. When the attack on the Romanov family ended, the guards transported the bodies of Maria and her family from the house onto a truck to bring them to a burial ground. Our editors are instructed to fact check thoroughly, including finding at least three references for each fact. At Factinate, were dedicated to getting things right. Even the younger Romanovs were aware there was danger afoot. Catherine the Great: Giving birth during house fire. In 1878, an outbreak of Diptheria entered Alexandras home. Affections such as these, however, were easily misinterpreted by the outside world, who had no idea of Alexeis illness and could not understand how the Siberian mystic wielded such influence over the tsarina. As a young girl, Maria met one of her greatest admirers. They also desperately needed Rasputin to continue to help keep Alexei alive through his prayers. I love these dear soldiers; I should like to kiss them all.'. But overnight, she turned from carefree to alarming. At Factinate, were dedicated to getting things right. Even Yakov Yurovsky, leader of the secret police who had been sent to guard the family, remembered how [Marias] sincere modest character was very attractive to the men and she spent most of her time flirting with her jailers.. When he was healthy, the rest of his family was far more relaxed and pleasant, while his more serious episodes would fill them with great worry and melancholy. Historys most fascinating stories and darkest secrets, delivered to your inbox daily. Since the guards tended to like Maria, they couldve allowed her to leave the basement or the truck when the bodies were left unattended. Maria Romanov and Anastasia making faces at the camera in a moment of fun after the revolution. Thanks for your time! The government offered free food, drinks, and souvenirs to the entire city of Moscow. This meant that the Romanovs dynasty in Russia was over, and that Marias family no longer had royal power. In fact, when he was just a boy, Nicholas witnessed his grandfather Alexander IIs violent, bloody end after a radical threw a grenade at him. She could be so obstinate in her pranks and teasing that one of her cousins even said that she was nasty to the point of being evil. Yeah, not someone Id want to babysit. But of the four grand duchesses born to Nicholas and Alexandra, Maria Romanov was widely considered to be the most beautiful, known for her light hair and dark blue eyes so large that they were known in the family as Marias saucers.'. For centuries, the Romanovs were one of the most powerful dynasties in the worldand yet they will forever be remembered for how it all came crashing down. He wrote that the day was a great and unforgettable day for usthere are no words to thank God enough for sending us this comfort in a time of sore trials. Yet she had surprising beginnings. In lieu of his daughters sweetness and charm, Nicholas quickly changed his tune and even referred to her as a treasure. Regardless of the fact that Maria could never be heir, he was still happy shed been born. It left horror in its wake. They knew something had to change, and they had just the ticket. Meanwhile, Alexandra Feodorovna, Nicholas beloved spouse, wasnt wasting time. From the moment he was born, he knew nothing but comfort and excess. We will see each other soon. Alexei had countless other symptoms and concerns, but the worst by far was when internal lesions caused blood to seep into his joints. Nicholas listened and took the charge, but it was a huge mistake. widely considered to be the most beautiful. Maria didnt hesitate to call him out, stating, Why are you not disgusted with yourselves when you use such shameful words? At first, life wasnt so bad for the disgraced Romanovs. He decided to cast Rasputin out of St. Petersburg for the foreseeable future. Self: HistoryPod. Maria's siblings usually called her Marie or Mashka. When they did, they came across a disturbing discovery. A 101-gun salute is fired from the Peter and Paul Fortress in St. Petersburg, heralding the birth of yet another daughter to Nicholas II, Emperor of Russia, and his German-born wife, Tsaritsa Alexandra Feodorovna. As a young adult, Maria was a shameless flirt, always batting her lashes at the young officers and even those who guarded her. They did not suspect that they would never have the need for it. Open 8AM-4.30PM what happened to danny's wife on blue bloods; whataburger coming to kennesaw ga; ovens auditorium covid policy; custom photo suspenders; chris bell powerlifter; homes for rent in west wendover, nv; All Rights Reserved. Then, take a look at some haunting photos from the last days of the Romanov family. Yurovsky read this news aloud to Nicholas who barely had time to cry What? before Russias last tsar was shot in the chest. But as yet, they didnt even know the true meaning of upheaval.. Little did Nicholas know at the time, but he would suffer a similar fate before long. And although the story of Maria Romanov as a whole so often falls in the shadow of Anastasias, her life and untimely death provide a fascinating, lesser-known look at the story of Russias last royal family. Many historians believe that Lenin and his lieutenant Yakov Sverdlov ordered the attack in lieu of a public trial. Olga was acutely aware when the day of the wedding came, and wrote about it in her diary. 40 Extremely Imaginative Examples Of Street Art From Around The World, 'The War To End All Wars': 31 Haunting Photos From World War I, What Stephen Hawking Thinks Threatens Humankind The Most, 27 Raw Images Of When Punk Ruled New York, Join The All That's Interesting Weekly Dispatch. There's something about the family structure that encourages secrets. She was also addicted to Veronal, a kind of sedative; as she once confessed to a friend, Im literally saturated with it.. The oldest daughters Olga and Tatiana made up the so-called "the Big Pair" while Maria and her younger sister Anastasia were referred to as "the Little Pair.".