The Old Romanov Scoundrel

Grand Duke Dmitri Pavlovich Romanov of Russia had been born into a life of tremendous privilege and wealth. However, it was also a life dominated by recurring tragedies. His mother died giving him birth, his father abandoned him and his sister Marie. In the first World War he was aide-de-camp to his cousin the Tsar, when he took command of the army. His involvement in the murder of Rasputin earned him exile in Persia, to serve with Russian troops there, yet ironically saved his life as he was not in Russia when the revolution took place a few months later and ended the three-hundred-year rule of the Romanovs.


In Europe, wearing a British uniform he began the second half of his life, wandering between London and Paris, hoping for a return to Russia, even to the throne of his ancestors. Debts not helped by gambling problems led him to seek a suitable wife - preferably one with a large fortune. En route to that goal, he had a memorable affair with Coco Chanel (rich but not 'suitable'). He eventually found an American heiress to marry. During the thirties, Dmitri became more involved in Russian emigre politics, particularly the fascist-leaning Mladross (Young Russia) group. At the outbreak of WWII, Dmitri died in Switzerland of TB.


Often only remembered as the killer of Rasputin, or (more correctly) a lover of Chanel, Dmitri's life had many additional aspects, and he lived through world-shaping events.