AN ENIGMA WRAPPED IN FURS

Some time again, a group of journalists were having lunch and the question came up. Which personality would you most like to interview? They decided to write down the name of the person on a piece of paper and ask the waiter to read out the name that was written on each. Each journalist had written the same name, that of Her Grace The Grand Duchess! They each was asked why that chose this woman and their reasons were very similar: they not only believed her to be the most beautiful woman in the world, but the most intelligent, the most exotic and the most mysterious. Each admitted to being overwhelmed by her charms and longed to interview her one-on-one. They had interviewed her as a group in the past, but under these conditions, most of the questions seemed frivolous and failed to bring out the essence of her persona.

An Enigmatic Person: strange, mysterious, unpredictable, leaving others in awe and speculation

On one occasion, Her Grace was asked why no one had ever painted her portrait. She said that she had sat for four different artists, but she always allowed her Aide-de-camp to decide if any should be continued and kept. His explanation for the lack of a portrait was that unfortunately no artist had quite managed to capture that enigmatic quality that Her Grace had. He also said that each had caught her radiance, but lacked that special je ne sais quoi that defined her. Finally he said that it would appear that there was no living artist able to achieve this and that perhaps only da Vinci (1452-1519) might have managed it.

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Lara’s Theme – written by Maurice-Alexis Jarre (1924-2009)

It is recommended that the reader listen to this piece of music while they read what follows at it will help set the mood of the Russia of yesteryear.

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SO NU ……. WHERE DID
HER GRACE THE GRAND DUCHESS
COME FROM?

Over the years, whenever Her Grace The Grand Duchess of Cumberland County has been asked by some eager journalist where she came from, a variety of answers were given. Her answers tended to reflect her mood, but several versions pleased her very much and were often retold only to be denied at later interviews since her mood had changed by then! It was apparent that, at times, Her Grace allowed her somewhat wicked sense of humour to season her replies. Her Grace enjoyed teasing (and perhaps even tormenting) the четвёртая власть or Fourth Estate, as the Americans would say!

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Once Her Grace had settled into her new home at Welmar Palace, she instructed Her Aide de Camp to contact a number of newspapers and magazines to say that should their publications be interested, Her Grace would agree to being interviewed. Of course Her Aide insisted on having all questions submitted in written form for Her Grace to study, and where appropriate, approve. Naturally everyone contacted agreed to Her Grace’s requests and so a date was settled upon for this special event to take place. The date of the interview arrived and a number of journalists arrived at Welmar Palace and were ushered into the Reception Room chosen for the event where they sat and waited for Her Grace to make her entrance.

The Reception Room of Welmar Palace (modeled on the Throne Room of Buckingham Palace)
This photograph was taken in 1902

Before Her Grace was to make her entrance, Her Aide de Camp entered the Reception Room and informed those present on how to address Her Grace using the correct manner, the one that she was now accustomed to. They were also reminded that no photography would be allowed since this would distract Her Grace and Her Guests from the matters at hand. He added that, in addition, no drawings were to be made during the event. Finally Her Aide thanked the audience for their consideration and assured them that Her Grace would be with them in a few minutes. After this, he left the Reception Room.

Journalists awaiting the entrance of Her Grace

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While journalists attended Her Grace’s pleasure, She was being visited by her favourite Coiffeur for those last minute touches to ensure everything was in place! Her Grace believed that presentation was everything, and tending to those small and perhaps insignificant things have helped maintain Her mystique and kept the world fascinated with Her and journalists returning again and again.

Preparing to receive her audience with a visit Chez le Coiffeur

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The Reception Room was electric with anticipation, and just when it reached a crescendo, Her Grace entered the room on the arm of her Aide along with Marusya, her maid/nurse/companion/confidant, walking close by. Naturally, her entrance caused a great stir in the audience.

Her Grace, now ready to face her audience

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As always, Her Grace represented sheer elegance. She appeared impeccably dressed in a simple high-necked Jersey Wool morning dress with long sleeves, which was Robin Egg Blue in colour and had been designed especially for her by the great Courturier, Hubert de Givenchy (1923-2018). Monsieur de Givenchy also designed the plainly designed shoes in matching colour that comported a slight Cuban Heel. Around her neck, Her Grace wore her favourite single string of pearls that had been given to her a number of years earlier by the Armenian-British business magnete, Nubar Sarkis Gulbenkian (1896-1972). Her Grace wore no rings and carried no handbag.

Sadly, since no photography was allowed at the press conference, no photographs of her ensemble can appear here. However below are some shining examples of the work of Monsieur de Givenchy.  It was well known that his two favourite women to dress were Audrey Hepburn (1929-1993) and Her Grace.

Examples of some Creations designed by M. de Givenchy

Naturally Her Grace was and still is the favourite of all great Courturiers and any young designer chosen by her early in his or her career quickly find themselves sought after by the fashion conscious and with their reputations instantly made.

A Very Small Sample of the People that were Important to Her Grace
Top Row, Left: Henri de Givenchy; Right: Nubar Sarkis Gulbenkian;
Bottom Row, Left: Christian Dior; (1905-1957); Centre: Coco Chanel (1883-1971); and
Right: Colette (1873-1954)

To show photographs all of Her Grace’s friends and admirers would perhaps fill The British Library!

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