Natalia Alexeievna of Russia - Journey To Russia

Journey To Russia

In 1773, the Empress Catherine II of Russia was looking for a suitable wife for her son Paul and turned to King Frederick II of Prussia for "recommendations". The King thought about the remaining three unmarried daughters of the Landgrave of Hesse-Darmstadt. Unable to decide which one was worthy, the Empress sent an invitation to Wilhelmine, her sisters Amalie and Louise, and their mother to visit Russia. Hurriedly, the three Princesses studied to perfect their French, worked on their dancing, practiced dropping deep curtseys, and completed their wardrobes. Their first stop was in Berlin where from there a flotilla of four ships, sent by the Empress Catherine, took them to Russia. It was the Grand Duke Paul's best friend, young Andrei Razumovsky, who commanded the frigate that carried the young ladies and their mother. He was immediately captivated by these charming passengers, and was particularly taken with Wilhelmine. She was not insensible to the admiration of Andrei.

Two days after arriving in Russia, the Grand Duke Paul chose Wilhelmine to be his wife. Wilhelmine was very pretty, gay and exuberant, and Paul was very delighted with her. Their betrothal was celebrated with great ostentation and Wilhelmine changed her religion and her given name: she became Natalia Alexeievna. On 29 September 1773, the wedding took place in the church of the Nativity of the Mother of God.