Grand Duke Dmitry Konstantinovich of Russia: Difference between revisions

 

The grand duke was a life-long bachelor never involved in scandals. His cousin Grand Duke Alexander Mikailovich accused him of misogyny in his book of memoirs, but this was contradicted with the close affective relationships he had with female members of his family. He was adored by his family and especially by his young nieces and nephews, with whom he would happily play and ride for hours.<ref name = " Chavchavadze 154"> Chavchavadze,'' The Grand Dukes ", p. 154</ref> He was particularly close to the children of his bother Konstantine. His nephew [[Prince Gavriil Konstantinovich of Russia|Prince Gabriel Konstantinovich]] remembered him, as a "wonderful, kind person" who was almost a second father and wherever they saw him, they ran across the room, jumping up to hug him and wrap their arms around his neck. Dimitri Konstantinovich also loved to tease the children and play practical jokes on them.

 

Under [[Nicholas II]], the grand duke received further promotions. On 26 May 1896, he was raised to the rank of Major-General, and three months later, he was named General à la suite in the Imperial Entourage. On 19 December 1904, Dimitri Konstantinovich was promoted to Lieutenant General and appointed Adjutant General to Nicholas II. Nicholas II also appointed the grand duke general director of the Imperial Stud in 1896. Despite his love of the military, it was this later post that struck the deepest chord in Dimitri Konstantinovich. On learning of his appointment, the grand duke — whom one courtier termed "timid beyond imagination" declared, " I should have eagerly accepted the appointment if it only meant looking after horses… I am afraid I shall never get on properly with officials." <ref name = " King & Wilson 97"> King & Wilson , ''Gilded Prism'', p. 97</ref>