Russia today held its first royal wedding since the 1917 Bolshevik revolution toppled the Romanov monarchy, with royals from across Europe attending the lavish ceremony.
The Russian Grand Duke George Romanov, 40, announced his engagement to his long term Italian girlfriend Rebecca Bettarini, 39, after a Christmas proposal and today, the couple said their vows at the Saint Isaac’s cathedral in the former imperial capital Saint Petersburg in the presence of dozens of royals.
The bride donned a stunning white satin gown which featured a high neck, long sleeves and a billowing skirt, as well as a glittering diamond tiara, which was designed by Chaumet, official jeweller to Empress Joséphine and Napoléon.
A tribute to the St Petersburg naval base, the piece was created to evoke the volume of a sail blown by the wind.
Hundreds of foreign guests travelled to the second city for the religious ceremony, including Queen Sofia of Spain, Prince Rudolph and Princess Tilsim of Liechtenstein, and the former king and queen of Bulgaria, while mother-of-the groom Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna was resplendent in a blue fur-trimmed ensemble as she proudly watched her son tie the knot.
After the religious ceremony, the bride changed into a fairytale-inspired second wedding dress embellished with crystals to continue the celebrations at an evening gala.
Grand Duke George Romanov, 40, has tied the knot with his long term Italian girlfriend Rebecca Bettarini, 39, in Saint Petersburg today
The bride later changed into a second stunning gown, a fairytale crystal embellished gown, with a satin coat featuring statement puffed sleeves over the top, as she arrived for the evening gala on the arm of her father Roberto Bettarini
The bride donned a stunning white satin gown which featured a high neck, long sleeves and a billowing skirt, as well as a glittering diamond tiara
Glowing with pride! Mother-of-the-groom Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna of Russia cut a resplendent figure in a blue jacet and headpiece with fur trim
Quick change! After wearing a blue skirt and coat to the religious ceremony, the mother of the groom Duchess Maria Vladimirovna changed into a golden gown with rich floral embroidery and wrapped up in a fur stole for the evening festivities
Romanov said that the couple chose the city as the venue for tying the knot because it was the first place in the country where the family returned in the early 1990s
Hundreds of foreign guests travelled to the second city for the religious ceremony, including Queen Sofia of Spain , Prince Rudolph and Princess Tilsim of Liechtenstein, and the former king and queen of Bulgaria
Couple said their vows at the Saint Isaac’s cathedral in the former imperial capital Saint Petersburg in the presence of dozens of royals
Tense moment: The groom couldn’t completely hide his nerves as he stood with clenched fists at the top of the aisle, awaiting his bride (left). Glowing with pride: The groom’s mother Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna (right) beamied with happiness as she arrived for the ceremony in a fur-trimmed ensemble
Meanwhile bridesmaids at the event opted for a velvet green dress with medieval style puff sleeves (pictured together)
Meanwhile bridesmaids at the event opted for a velvet green dress with medieval style puff sleeves.
Romanov said that the couple chose the city as the venue for tying the knot because it was the first place in the country where the family returned in the early 1990s.
‘It is very, very close to our family,’ he told the Saint Petersburg-based news website Fontanka ahead of the wedding.
Saint Petersburg is ‘the history of Russia,’ he added, ‘the history of the House of Romanov.’
Grand Duke George Mikhailovich Romanov Gala for the imperial wedding of His Imperial Highness Grand Duke George Mikhailovich Romanov of Russia and Rebecca Bettarini (left). All that glitters! The groom’s mother donned a diamond tiara for the evening festivities as she arrived on the arm of a male companion (right)
Albania’s pretender to the throne, Crown Prince Leka Zogu II, the grandson of self-proclaimed King Zog and his wife Elia Zaharia arrive to attend the evening gala dinner (left). The beaming bride: Rebecca Bettarini looked stunning in an embellished bridal gown with a tulle skirt as she made her way into the evening reception (right)
Former Bulgarian King Simeon II and his wife Margarita arrive to attend a dinner during the wedding of Grand Duke George Mikhailovich Romanov, and Victoria Romanovna Bettarin
The Metropolitan Varsonofy of St Petersburg and Ladoga during the wedding of Grand Duke George Mikhailovich of Russia
Family ties: The father-of-the bride (left) took his place near the groom’s mother Grand Duchess Maria after walking his daughter down the aisle
After the ceremony, the couple shared an intimate moment in their wedding car as the Duke kissed Rebecca’s hand (left and right)
The Grand Duke could be seen waving to the crowds as he held hands with his new bride and drove away from the wedding venue
The couple were greeted by a crowd and media who snapped pictures of the newlyweds moments after they tied the knot
The newlyweds shared a kiss as they walked down the steps of St Isaac’s Cathedral in the city after the ceremony today
Rebecca beamed widely as she waved to crowds waiting outside the cathedral shortly after the wedding with Grand Duke George
Rebecca and Grand Duke George Romanov beamed as they walked out of the cathedral arm-in-arm after tying the knot
Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna of Russia, mother of Grand Duke George congratulated Rebecca moments after the pair married
Romanov said that the couple chose the city as the venue for tying the knot because it was the first place in the country where the family returned in the early 1990s
Helping hand! Guests fixed the bride’s elaborate train while she posed for photos with her new husband after the wedding ceremony
Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna of Russia arrives at St Isaac’s Cathedral for her son’s wedding. The mother-of-the groom carried a small box clutch to complement her fur trimmed outfit
Their wedding will likely be a star-studded affair, with George related to royal families from across the world.
Born in Madrid, Romanov is the son of Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna Romanova, the self-proclaimed heir to Russia’s imperial throne.
She is the granddaughter of Grand Duke Kirill, a cousin of Nicholas II, the last Russian tsar who was executed along with his wife and five children by the Bolsheviks in 1918.
The Romanovs enjoyed a life of seemingly endless prosperity and ruled of a sixth of the surface of the Earth in the early 20th century.
Nicholas II ruled from 1894 until he was forced to abdicate after the February Revolution of 1917.
He and his family were imprisoned by the Bolsheviks and executed the next year.
It was a time of social upheaval, war and brewing discontent that would ultimately lead to the fall of the 300-year-old Romanov dynasty.
The family was canonised by the Orthodox Church in 2000 as martyrs.
His ancestors also include Emperor Alexander II of Russia, and Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany.
He is also distantly related to the British royal family, and is the great-great-great-great grandson of Nicholas II of Russia, who was cousins with Britain’s George V, and Alexandra Fedorovna, who was Queen Victoria’s granddaughter.
Meanwhile he is also the godson of Don Juan Carlos and Doña Sofía , King Constantine of Greece, and King Simeon of Bulgaria – his christening was held in May 1981 in Madrid.
Romanov, who graduated from Oxford and spent much of his life in France, met Bettarini in Brussels, where he worked in the European Parliament.
Bettarini converted to the Orthodox faith last year and changed her name to Victoria Romanovna.
Romanov also held jobs at Russian mining giant Norilsk Nickel before moving to Russia three years ago.
The couple met as youngsters, with Rebecca often accompanying her father to official receptions where they crossed paths.
Later, they both started working in international companies and met again at a reception at the French embassy in Brussels.
After living in Belgium for six years, the couple moved to Russia, where he works as a lawyer, and she works as a writer.
The couple first lived in the Moscow suburbs before relocating to the city centre next to the Kremlin.
Now Romanov works on several charity projects.
Romanov said he believes European and Russian royals could help Moscow and the West mend fraying ties.
‘I think that we can be ambassadors of goodwill.’
Rebecca, who is the daughter of Italian Ambassador Roberto Bettarini, shared the news of the couple’s engagement on her own Instagram page, writing: ‘A new chapter of our life book together is starting. As a writer I hope that the journey ahead will be full of love, suspense and adventure as the first part of our life book was.’
Russian politician Lyudmila Narusova was among the guests at the wedding (left). Many seemed wowed by their surroundings as they waited for the ceremony to begin (right)
Foreign royals in attendance at the event in Russia today included former Queen Margarita and Duke Duarte of Braganza (pictured left and right)
Rebecca waved to crowds as she and her father arrived at the venue (left). Later she joined her husband at the altar for the ceremony (right)
Grand Duke George Mikhailovich Romanov and Victoria Romanovna Bettarini attend their wedding ceremony at the Saint Isaac’s Cathedral in Saint Petersburg, on October 1
Victoria and Grand Duke George looked overjoyed after exchanging vows in the ceremony earlier today (pictured)
The pair were surrounded by friends and family as they walked down the aisle at the wedding at Saint Isaac’s Cathedral in Saint Petersburg
The bridal party, dressed in velvet green and orange gowns, could be seen carrying the lengthy train and veil of the gown (pictured)
Crowds gathered outside the venue to wish the bride well as she arrived at the event with her father Roberto (pictured)
Victoria Romanovna Bettarini arrives accompanied by her father, Roberto, or her wedding ceremony with Grand Duke George Mikhailovich
Russian lawyer and politician Pavel Astakhov and wife Svetlana were among the guests who attended the big event in the city today (left, and right, guests await the ceremony with excitement)
Grand Duke George Mikhailovich Romanov could be seen smiling as he arrived for his wedding ceremony to Victoria Romanovna Bettarini at St. Isaac’s Cathedral
Guests opted for extravagant velvet gowns and over-the-top fascinators and headpieces as they arrived at the ceremony in the city earlier today
The couple said their vows at the Saint Isaac’s cathedral in the former imperial capital Saint Petersburg in the presence of dozens of royals
Posting another snap alongside her beloved, Rebecca shared: ‘We are thrilled to finally share the news of our engagement with you! Thank you for your loving words.’
He proposed with a diamond and ruby ring, inspired by the rings formerly worn by the tsars in the colors of the Russian flag, which had been given to him by his mother at the age of 18.
In the statement from the Chancellery of the head of the Russian House of Imperia, it was explained that the future wife of the Tsarévich – title of crown prince, hereditary pretender to the throne – has converted to the Orthodox faith with the name of Victoria Romanova.
The Russian Grand Duke George Romanov married his long term girlfriend Rebecca in a lavish ceremony later today after a Christmas proposal
The couple met as youngsters, with Rebecca often accompanying her father to official receptions where they crossed paths. Later, they both started working in international companies and met again at a reception at the French embassy in Brussels (pictured together)
The 39-year-old son of Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna of Russia proposed to Italian lobbyist and writer Rebecca in December, after asking her parents for their blessing
Rebecca shared snaps alongside the Grand Duke on her Instagram page, and said she was looking forward to a life of ‘love, suspense and adventure’