Alexandra Zhukovskaya

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Born Alexandra Vasilievna Zhukovsky (11 November 1842 Düsseldorf - 26 August 1899 Wendischbora, Germany), to Vasily Zhukovsky and Elizabeth Reitern.

[edit] Marriage

In 1870, Alexandra is alleged to have married a very prominent Russian Royal, Grand Duke Alexei Alexandrovich, the son of Czar Alexander II of Russia.

[edit] Titles and Controversy

When the couple were married, Alexandra was given the title of Countess Zhukovsky, as the marriage, if it ever occurred, was considered a morganatic marriage by Russian Law. Some of her supporters styled to her as Grand Duchess.

Some persons believe that Grand Duke Alexei and Countess Alexandra were never married, but many believe that they got married despite his father's orders to not marry her. Shortly after the marriage was to have taken place, Alexei's father Alexander II of Russia, sent him to the United States of America as a Goodwill Ambassador. The official version of the story is that Alexei asked to marry Alexandra, was denied in his request, and was sent away by his father to get him away from Alexandra and help him forget about her.

[edit] Children

Alexandra and Alexei had one child, a son:

• Count Alexei Alexandrovich Belevsky-Zhukovsky(1871-1931), who if his parents married Morganatically, would have been styled: His Imperial Highness, Grand Duke Alexei Alexandrovich of Russia, thusly carrying on the line of Romanovs, who could still place a legitimate claim to the Russian Throne.