Nicholas II

Nicholas II (Nikolai Alexandrovich Romanov; 18 May [O.S. 6 May] 1868 – 17 July 1918) was Emperor of Russia, King of Congress Poland, and Grand Duke of Finland from 1 November 1894 until his abdication in 1917. His reign of over 22 years marked the final chapter of the Romanov dynasty, which had ruled Russia for more than three centuries. Nicholas married Alix of Hesse (later Alexandra Feodorovna), and they had five children: four daughters, Olga, Tatiana, Maria, and Anastasia, and a son, Alexei, the Tsesarevich. Born in Tsarskoye Selo, Nicholas was the eldest son of Emperor Alexander III and Empress Maria Feodorovna. He was educated privately and trained for military service, but was widely considered ill-prepared for the demands of ruling a vast empire. As a constitutional monarch, he resisted political reform and retained autocratic control, despite the establishment of the Duma. His reign saw significant industrial growth and diplomatic engagement, including the Hague Conventions and the Anglo-Russian Convention of 1907, but was also marked by domestic unrest, military defeats, and widespread criticism. Nicholas faced mounting pressure following Russia's defeat in the Russo-Japanese War and the turmoil of the 1905 Revolution. His popularity declined further during World War I, as military losses and economic hardship eroded public confidence. In March 1917, the February Revolution forced his abdication, ending the Romanov dynasty's 304-year rule. He and his family were imprisoned by the Provisional Government and later transferred to Bolshevik custody. On 17 July 1918, they were executed in Yekaterinburg. Vilified by Soviet historians as a symbol of repression and incompetence, Nicholas has been reassessed more sympathetically in post-Soviet Russia. He and his family were canonised as passion bearers by the Russian Orthodox Church in 2000, following the discovery and reburial of their remains in 1998.

Infobox

Reign

1 November 1894[a] – 15 March 1917[b]

Coronation

26 May 1896[c]

Predecessor

Alexander III

Successor

Monarchy abolished

Prime Ministers

See list

Born

(1868-05-18)18 May 1868Alexander Palace, Tsarskoye Selo, Russia

Died

17 July 1918(1918-07-17) (aged 50)Ipatiev House, Yekaterinburg, Russia

Cause of death

Gunshot wounds (murder)

Burial

17 July 1998Peter and Paul Cathedral, Saint Petersburg

Spouse

mw- Alix of Hesse and by Rhine (m. 1894)

Issue

mw- Grand Duchess Olga Grand Duchess Tatiana Grand Duchess Maria Grand Duchess Anastasia Tsesarevich Alexei

Names

NamesNikolai Alexandrovich Romanov

House

Holstein-Gottorp-Romanov

Father

Alexander III of Russia

Mother

Dagmar of Denmark

Religion

Russian Orthodox

Tables

Financial Entitlements for Members of the Russian Imperial Family after 1886 · Wealth

Sons of the Emperor (Grand Dukes)

Rank of Family Member

Sons of the Emperor (Grand Dukes)

Financial Entitlement at Birth

₽33,000 per year prior to majority.

Financial Entitlement from Majority

Annuity increased to ₽150,000 per year; and granted a one-off lump sum of ₽1,000,000.

Financial Entitlement upon marriage

Annuity increased to ₽200,000 per year, plus a separate ₽40,000 annuity granted to their wife, who also received one-time grants of ₽100,000 (from Emperor) and ₽50,000 (from husband). The widow of the son of an Emperor would continue to receive ₽40,000 annually (reduced to one-third of this amount if residing abroad during their widowhood, and ceasing to be paid if she remarried).

Daughters of the Emperor (Grand Duchesses)

Rank of Family Member

Daughters of the Emperor (Grand Duchesses)

Financial Entitlement at Birth

₽33,000 per year to majority.

Financial Entitlement from Majority

Annuity increased to ₽50,000 per year until marriage.

Financial Entitlement upon marriage

₽50,000 annuity ceases, replaced by a Dowry lump-sum payment of ₽1,000,000 (held in Trust in Russia with income paid at 5%).

Male-line Grandsons of an Emperor (Grand Dukes)

Rank of Family Member

Male-line Grandsons of an Emperor (Grand Dukes)

Financial Entitlement at Birth

₽15,000 per year to majority.

Financial Entitlement from Majority

Annuity increased to ₽150,000 per year; and granted a one-off lump-sum of ₽600,000.

Financial Entitlement upon marriage

No increase in individual annuity, but a separate annuity of ₽20,000 was paid to their wife, who also would receive one-time grants of ₽100,000 (from Emperor) and ₽50,000 (from husband). The widow of the grandson of an Emperor would continue to receive ₽20,000 annually (reduced to one-third of this amount if residing abroad during their widowhood, and ceasing to be paid if she remarried).

Male-line Granddaughters of an Emperor (Grand Duchesses)

Rank of Family Member

Male-line Granddaughters of an Emperor (Grand Duchesses)

Financial Entitlement at Birth

₽15,000 per year to majority.

Financial Entitlement from Majority

Annuity increased to ₽50,000 per year until marriage.

Financial Entitlement upon marriage

₽50,000 annuity ceases, replaced by a Dowry lump-sum payment of ₽1,000,000 (held in Trust in Russia with income paid at 5%).

Rank of Family Member	Financial Entitlement at Birth	Financial Entitlement from Majority	Financial Entitlement upon marriage
Sons of the Emperor (Grand Dukes)	₽33,000 per year prior to majority.	Annuity increased to ₽150,000 per year; and granted a one-off lump sum of ₽1,000,000.	Annuity increased to ₽200,000 per year, plus a separate ₽40,000 annuity granted to their wife, who also received one-time grants of ₽100,000 (from Emperor) and ₽50,000 (from husband). The widow of the son of an Emperor would continue to receive ₽40,000 annually (reduced to one-third of this amount if residing abroad during their widowhood, and ceasing to be paid if she remarried).
Daughters of the Emperor (Grand Duchesses)	₽33,000 per year to majority.	Annuity increased to ₽50,000 per year until marriage.	₽50,000 annuity ceases, replaced by a Dowry lump-sum payment of ₽1,000,000 (held in Trust in Russia with income paid at 5%).
Male-line Grandsons of an Emperor (Grand Dukes)	₽15,000 per year to majority.	Annuity increased to ₽150,000 per year; and granted a one-off lump-sum of ₽600,000.	No increase in individual annuity, but a separate annuity of ₽20,000 was paid to their wife, who also would receive one-time grants of ₽100,000 (from Emperor) and ₽50,000 (from husband). The widow of the grandson of an Emperor would continue to receive ₽20,000 annually (reduced to one-third of this amount if residing abroad during their widowhood, and ceasing to be paid if she remarried).
Male-line Granddaughters of an Emperor (Grand Duchesses)	₽15,000 per year to majority.	Annuity increased to ₽50,000 per year until marriage.	₽50,000 annuity ceases, replaced by a Dowry lump-sum payment of ₽1,000,000 (held in Trust in Russia with income paid at 5%).

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