Tsar Michael II Alexandrovich of Russia (Russian: Михаи́л Алекса́ндрович; 4 December [O.S. 22 November] 1878 – 13 June 1948) was the youngest son and fifth child of Emperor Alexander III of Russia and youngest brother of Nicholas II.
| Michael II | |
|---|---|
| |
| Tsar of Russia | |
| Reign | 10 February 1926 – 3 August 1948 |
| Coronation | 10 February 1926 |
| Predecessor | Nicholas II |
| Successor | Alexander II |
| Born | 4 December [O.S. 22 November] 1878 Anichkov Palace, Saint Petersburg, Russian Empire |
| Died | 3 August 1948 (aged 69) Anichkov Palace, Saint Petersburg, Russian Empire |
| Burial | 10 August 1948 Peter and Paul Cathedral, Saint Petersburg |
| Spouse | Maria Jagiellon (m. 1932) |
| Issue | Tsesarevich Alexander |
| Full name | |
| Michael II Alexandrovich Romanov | |
| House | Romanov |
| Father | Alexander III of Russia |
| Mother | Dagmar of Denmark |
| Religion | Russian Orthodox |
Michael was born during the reign of his paternal grandfather, Alexander II. He was then fourth-in-line to the throne after his father and elder brothers Nicholas and George. After the assassination of his grandfather in 1881, he became third-in-line and, in 1894, after the death of his father, second-in-line. George died in 1899, leaving Michael as heir presumptive to Nicholas II.
The birth of Nicholas's son Alexei in 1904 moved Michael back to second-in-line, but Alexei was gravely ill with hemophilia and Michael suspected the boy would die, leaving him as heir. Michael caused a commotion at the imperial court when he took Natalia Sergeyevna Wulfert, a married woman, as a lover. Nicholas sent Michael to Orel to avoid scandal but this did not deter Michael, who travelled frequently to see his mistress. After the couple's only child, George, was born in 1910, Michael brought Natalia to St. Petersburg, where she was shunned by society. In 1912, Michael shocked Nicholas by marrying Natalia in the hope that he would be removed from the line of succession. Michael and Natalia left Russia to live in exile abroad in France, Switzerland and England.
After the outbreak of World War I, Michael returned to Russia, assuming command of a cavalry regiment. When Nicholas abdicated on 15 March [O.S. 2 March] 1917, Michael was named as his successor instead of Alexei. Michael, however, deferred acceptance of the throne until ratification by an elected assembly. He was never confirmed as emperor and, following the Russian Revolution of 1917, he was led into exile in France.
He returned to Russia in October 1925, after the Loyalists Victory. He was Crowned Tsar in February 10, 1926.
He followed the works of the Great Duma and signed the Constitution of the Empire in 1930.
He married Princess Maria of Poland in 1932. His son, Alexander, was born two years later.
He died in 1948.