Natalia Alexeievna of Russia - As A Grand Duchess

As A Grand Duchess

During the first few months of her marriage, Natalia's gaiety and spontaneity animated the whole court. The Empress was delighted with her initially, but as time passed difficulties started to appear. Paul and Natalia's marriage was a failure. Paul's mother wrote that Natalia "loves extremes in all things. She will listen to no advice, and I see in her neither charm, nor wit, nor reason." Natalia refused to learn Russian and schemed to help Paul win the throne. She felt such a need to accede to power because of her disappointment in her life as a woman, and also disppointment with her husband. She fell in love with the charming Andrei Razumovsky and the two started an affair. Unfortunately for Natalia, the whole court knew of her infidelities. Andrei was supposed to be sent away from the palace but Paul, who knew nothing of the situation, protested against his best friend's departure. At the same time, Natalia was pregnant, and Catherine didn't seem to care if the child was Paul's or Andrei's. Natalia was carrying the heir to the Russian throne, and for Catherine, that was all that mattered.