Sophie of Merenberg

Sophie of Merenberg was born on March 1, 1868, in Geneva, Switzerland. She was the daughter of Prince Nikolaus Wilhelm of Nassau and Natalya Alexandrovna Pushkina, a Russian noblewoman. Sophie's parents were not married, so she was raised by her maternal grandmother in Russia. Sophie was eventually adopted by her mother's cousin, Princess Aleksandra of Hesse, and moved to Germany. There, she met and fell in love with Grand Duke Michael Alexandrovich of Russia, the younger brother of Tsar Nicholas II. The couple married in 1912, but their marriage was not recognized by the Russian Orthodox Church, as Sophie was a Protestant. During World War I, Michael served as the commander of the Russian army's Imperial Guard. Sophie joined him on the front lines and helped to care for wounded soldiers. After the Russian Revolution in 1917, Michael and Sophie were arrested and imprisoned by the Bolsheviks. They were executed in June 1918, along with other members of the Russian royal family. Sophie of Merenberg is remembered for her bravery and dedication to helping others, especially during the war. Her tragic end, along with her husband and the rest of the Romanovs, has made her a subject of interest and fascination for many.