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| Anna Vyrubova, Alexandra Feodorovna and Olga Nikolaevna aboard the cruiser Asia. Source: https://vk.com/wall-56510987_24326 |
The family's imperial yacht Standart ran aground in August 1907 during one of their holiday cruises to Finland. Fearing it could sink, the family was transferred aboard the Russian cruiser Asia. Fortunately, the Standart didn't sink and it was later recovered by naval engineers.
Prince Carol of Romania and his parents made an official visit to Russia in January 1917. It was during a state dinner in the prince's honour that the Grand Duchess Maria accidentally tripped, to which Tsar Nicholas II replied, "Of course, fat Marie." It was also during Carol's visit that he formally asked Nicholas if he could marry Maria. The Tsar rejected it as Maria was still too young (she was 17 at that time).
Interestingly, all this took place not long after Rasputin was murdered and shortly before the revolution. I guess the Romanovs were just trying to move on with their lives. I've read of Maria tripping and Carol's proposal before, just didn't know it was during the same event or when it happened.
