Russia Royalty. Princess Alexandra Friederike Henriette of Saxe-Altenburg was the fifth daughter of Joseph Georg Friedrich Ernst Karl, Duke of Saxe-Altenburg and Amelie Theresa Luise, Duchess of Württemberg. While visiting away from the homeland, the nineteen-year-old Grand Duke Constantine of Russia met the sixteen-year-old Princess Alexandra, who was tall and beautiful. They fell in love as soon as they met, and on September 11, 1848 married in the Winter Palace. The bride converted to Russian Orthodoxy, taking the name of Grand Duchess Alexandra Iosifovna. They were devoted to each other and had six children. The couple both had musical talents. The Marble Palace in St. Petersburg was their main home with a retreat in Finland. She was a devoted mother and wife. Her husband became tired of her during a mid-life crises and had two affairs, which produced six children. This was, of course, was embarrassing to a heartbroken Alexandra as well as other members of the royal family. In August 1889, the Grand Duke suffered from a severe stroke limiting his ability care for himself. Alexandra became his devoted primary caregiver, however would not let him see his mistress and their children. So upset about this restriction, the duke became angry, pulled Alexandra by the hair on her head then beating her with his walking stick. Although she could have, she did not turn the mistress and the children out of their nearby home but provided for them. Before his death, Alexandra did invite his mistress and their remaining children to the palace for a farewell visit. Before her death, she buried her husband and youngest son.
Russia Royalty. Princess Alexandra Friederike Henriette of Saxe-Altenburg was the fifth daughter of Joseph Georg Friedrich Ernst Karl, Duke of Saxe-Altenburg and Amelie Theresa Luise, Duchess of Württemberg. While visiting away from the homeland, the nineteen-year-old Grand Duke Constantine of Russia met the sixteen-year-old Princess Alexandra, who was tall and beautiful. They fell in love as soon as they met, and on September 11, 1848 married in the Winter Palace. The bride converted to Russian Orthodoxy, taking the name of Grand Duchess Alexandra Iosifovna. They were devoted to each other and had six children. The couple both had musical talents. The Marble Palace in St. Petersburg was their main home with a retreat in Finland. She was a devoted mother and wife. Her husband became tired of her during a mid-life crises and had two affairs, which produced six children. This was, of course, was embarrassing to a heartbroken Alexandra as well as other members of the royal family. In August 1889, the Grand Duke suffered from a severe stroke limiting his ability care for himself. Alexandra became his devoted primary caregiver, however would not let him see his mistress and their children. So upset about this restriction, the duke became angry, pulled Alexandra by the hair on her head then beating her with his walking stick. Although she could have, she did not turn the mistress and the children out of their nearby home but provided for them. Before his death, Alexandra did invite his mistress and their remaining children to the palace for a farewell visit. Before her death, she buried her husband and youngest son.
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