Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna, head of the Russian Imperial House, has chosen Spain as her home, leading a life far from camera flashes and media attention. Her world consists of a circle of close friends and family scattered across the globe. She primarily divides her time between the capital, Madrid, and a cozy house in the Alicante province, which serves as her summer residence. Despite avoiding the spotlight, her schedule is filled with travels—ranging from family celebrations to events involving members of other royal dynasties.
The recent christening of her granddaughter Kira Leonida in Moscow brought her immense joy. She is now a grandmother of two. Her first grandchild, Alexander, will turn three in October. According to those close to her, the motherhood of her daughter-in-law Victoria Romanovna, née Rebecca Bettarini, and the birth of heirs have given new meaning to Maria Vladimirovna’s life. She is as happy as any grandmother, while also fully aware of the importance of succession and the historical legacy that now has someone to inherit it. She maintains a close connection with her son George and his wife, actively involved in the lives of her young grandchildren.
Those who know her well describe her as remarkably down-to-earth, with traditional values inherited from her parents. She is seen as generous and sensitive to the problems of others. At the same time, she has become an unofficial ambassador for Spain in Russia, where she is held in high regard. She has managed to establish a perfect balance in her relations with the authorities, which, for example, allowed her son George to have a lavish wedding in St. Petersburg with all due honors.
Friends point out that she is always ready to help and cares for her loved ones with a motherly touch. She simply explains her privacy from the media: it is this restraint that allows her to effectively carry out the mission entrusted to her by her heritage. Her parents, Vladimir Kirillovich and Leonida Georgievna, lived through a difficult life marked by loss and hardship, setting an example of resilience and integrity for her. She has strived to pass these qualities on to her only son, considering this her main purpose in life.
Her love for Spain is also an inheritance. She was born here, and her ties to the Spanish royal family have always been built not only on distant kinship, but also on a strong friendship. She holds deep respect for Queen Sofia and fondly remembers the late Infanta Pilar. Many recall her participation in the charity fair “Nuevo Futuro,” where her booth featured Russian matryoshkas, tablecloths, and exquisite linens. As for her own marriage to Prince Franz Wilhelm of Prussia, which took place in Madrid in 1976, it ended in divorce in 1985, shortly after the birth of their son. The former spouses have managed to maintain a polite relationship and keep in touch, although the prince has long lived in Cairo and his health has recently become a cause for concern.
