The first meeting of our new Society was held in this historic building, now a Hotel, in which the Grand Duchess Elizabeth visited members of the British Royal Family during the time when it was a royal residence. It proved to be a most suitable venue when about 60 members and supporters gathered to inaugurate the Society dedicated to spreading knowledge of the life, values and faith of the Grand Duchess Elizabeth, Queen Victoria’s granddaughter, a remarkable benefactor of the poor and a Martyr of the 20th century.

The evening began with the playing of selected parts of a film of the Grand Duchess’ life “White Angel of Moscow” made in Russia in 2009 with an English commentary. This gave an introduction to her story which was of interest both to those who knew her well and to those who knew little of her story. This was followed by a fascinating lecture from the noted historian and biographer Charlotte Zeepvat on the life of the Grand Duke Sergey and Elizabeth in Moscow when he was acting as Governor-General of Moscow, and up until his tragic death at the hand of assassins in 1905.

The story of Elizabeth’s life was brought right up to its conclusion by the dramatic reading of a moving letter by her sister Victoria written from Port Said where she met Elizabeth’s coffin on its way to the final resting place in Jerusalem in 1920.… KEEP READING