Solovyov in Tsarist Russia 1796.

Chapter 182 The Coronation Ceremony of Alexander and Louisa (Part 039)
There were also representatives from all over the country among the people in the church. Holding a coronation ceremony in St. Petersburg at this time broke the convention in itself. The reason was to show the young Tsar Alexander's strong rule over the country.

Only then, at the appropriate time, will we go to Moscow to complete the necessary formal ceremonies.

The British now realized that although the new Tsar was young and lacked patience due to his age, he still had the skills and ruling power. The fact that he had already managed the country according to his own wishes and even held the coronation ceremony in St. Petersburg and would hold a second ceremony in Moscow afterwards showed that he was still very determined.

Of course, this determination does not mean that Russia's regime is stable.

Lord Whitworth was not expelled, it was just that diplomatic elegance replaced the whipping. Otherwise, the British ambassador was involved in the incident of overthrowing the Russian regime. Not only would the relationship between the two countries be ruined, but it would also be time to expel 76 British diplomats. Moreover, Russia and France forming an alliance was the last thing the new cabinet in London wanted to see.

Fortunately, Alexander was not crazy. Even the hatred for his father's murder could be endured by him. He did not want to carry out the final trial at this time. He did not want to kill before his wife gave birth. The secret trial in the court was in progress and the final verdict was scheduled for November. After all, the investigation and evidence collection and court trial of these matters all took time.

What the British saw was people of all kinds coming down the grand steps of the Winter Palace into the porch and hall. The ceremony in the church was also undergoing final preparations. Envoys from various countries were present in front of them, but they also had to consider that this was a coronation ceremony, so none of the monarchs who had already ascended the throne came to congratulate them.

This is also why Alexander's father-in-law, Louisa's father, was able to come here. He had previously received the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle, which is the highest honor in Russia. If Tsar Paul were still alive, he would also have received the Grand Master-level Cross of the Order of Malta. Although this medal is still valid, it is no longer issued and is considered an out-of-print medal.

And "Filippova" really was there to protect Louisa when the servants carried her to the coronation throne. Her maid's dress and the first aid kit in her hand also made it clear what she was doing here.

When Lieutenant Rzhevsky, a hussar officer, saw the maid, he couldn't help but be moved.

"What a heroic maid! I wonder which family she belongs to."

As one of the three most classic joke characters in Russia, this hussar was obviously not aware of the occasion today. He was not very clear about the difference between women disguised as men and men disguised as women, and he also interrupted his superior, Prince Mikhail Dolgorukov.

"Whose girl is that? She's so pretty. If I could, I would propose to her."

"Don't be so nosy! Just stay on duty here. Today is the coronation ceremony, so don't be as casual as usual!"

"Yes, sir!"

Rzhevsky actually saw the letters on the brooch, which meant that she should be the queen's personal maid, possibly a newly selected noble lady. After all, the queen was very young, and the people around her had to come in and out, so everything had to be arranged.

"Rzhevsky, I do have a source of information. I wonder if you would like to hear it."

"I'm on duty right now!"

"If you don't want to listen, forget it. We are at the outermost part of the Emperor's coronation ceremony, and we are not allowed to go in to watch."

"Then tell me about it?"

"Who is Svetlana Filippova? I heard that she has been here since Her Majesty the Queen lived in the Alexander Palace in Tsarskoye Selo. I learned about this from the head lady-in-waiting. However, she was only recently admitted as a maid in the Tavrid Palace."

"What an interesting name, I've never heard it before."

"Indeed, Her Royal Highness the Queen is quite mysterious and always hides in the deep palace. She is so young and not the first lady in the palace. That position belongs to Her Royal Highness the Empress Dowager. Such a poor person, if she doesn't have a few caring girls to serve her, it would be too unfair. Of course, Her Royal Highness the Queen is such a pretty poor person, and the girls around her are all first-class. Not to mention the new one, there are also the pretty beauties in the Shakhovsky family."

On the whole, public opinion was very sympathetic to Louisa, including the hussars on duty in the palace. Although they were bold and reckless, they still understood the truth.

On the coronation throne, Louisa was still able to walk. She was supporting her belly with her hands and was being very careful. The doctor had checked her before she came up and there should be no problem. However, after the coronation ceremony, she had to return to the Tauride Palace. In addition to the ceremony, there would also be a reception in the Winter Palace, which would be noisy and not suitable for her.

Judging from the queen's current condition, she will not be giving birth for long, and her complexion is also very good, which is always a good sign. In addition, the young Queen Elizabeth has always been considered to be in poor health. Her appearance in public at this time can indeed dispel the rumors spread by the British.

Even the Queen Mother, who had always been a hindrance to her daughter-in-law, has restrained herself now. Juliana's return to her parents' home would certainly attract the attention of royal families in various countries. It would be difficult for her to do anything that would be detrimental to the peaceful atmosphere in the palace, or to openly take sides or make things difficult for her.

Only at the coronation ceremony of the Russian royal family is the unity of the royal family demonstrated.

Fortunately, many Russian newspapers were published in Moscow instead of being supplied to St. Petersburg, and there were not many tabloid reporters in that era, which made the whole atmosphere seem relatively peaceful.

Louisa herself sat very steadily on the throne. Alexander saw that she looked the same as usual, with only light makeup on, but she was very beautiful.

He also knew the identity of "Filipova", but although Alexander was called this name, he did not want to have a Hephaestion, and the look in this person's eyes today seemed to be very wary of the audience.

But "she" was not able to speak yet, to the extent that opening her mouth would expose her target. And according to a report Solovyov had submitted previously, for safety reasons, he had prepared a revolver and a dagger under his skirt to prevent any assassins from appearing.

Alexander did not doubt the necessity of this. After all, his attitude towards the British was not friendly. What if Lord Whitworth became so crazy?
The ceremony was about to begin. During the splendid ceremony, accompanied by Byzantine hymns, the Metropolitan of St. Petersburg would hand the orb and scepter representing the imperial power to Alexander and bless him.

First, the emperor and the empress came to the gate of the holy image, bowed three times, and kissed the holy image to receive the blessing. This is how the coronation ceremony in Moscow would be. At present, Louisa's health really needs someone to support her all the time. "Filipova"'s movements should also try to cooperate with the queen's movements. His image today is quite suitable.

After all, this is just a "light and shadow", and Solovyov's temporary name is indeed correct. Using a "girl" who does not exist in the "illusion" can naturally provide some "illusion" effects. If it were someone else, it would be somewhat embarrassing.

Sometimes, Solovyov himself would feel strange. How could Alexander come up with such abstract ideas? He had to demonstrate his dominance and ensure the smooth progress of the ceremony, which required him to sacrifice the "morality" of his loyal subordinates and expose his wife to "risks" at times.

The church choir was singing hymns, and the Metropolitan of St. Petersburg was on the pulpit of the church, about to begin the coronation ceremony.

“Great God-fearing monarch, our Emperor and ruler of all Russians! Because by the good will of God, by the cooperation of the Divine and All-Holy Spirit, and in accordance with your consultation, the coronation and holy anointing of your Imperial Majesty should now take place in this Orthodox Coronation Church, in accordance with the ancient customs of Christian monarchs and your crowned ancestors and your Majesty, so that the Orthodox Faith may spread among your loyal subjects.”

Alexander also had to recite the Orthodox creed. After finishing, he had to accept the blessings of the metropolitan and clergy. While they were reciting biblical passages, he took the shield representing the imperial power and pretended to hold the shield.

At this time, the metropolitan would dress the Tsar in the coronation robes, followed by the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle, as a symbol of the supreme power of the head of state.

After that, the huge Tsar's crown inlaid with many gems was handed over to Alexander. The young Tsar needed to take the crown, bow his head to gesture, and then put it on himself.

Speaking of which, the rituals of the Eastern Orthodox Church are very different from those of the Western Church. After all, in the Orthodox Church, imperial power is greater than religious power. Even for Mikhail, the founding monarch of the Romanov dynasty, whose father was an archbishop, this was the same.

".This visible and tangible adornment on your head clearly indicates that Christ the King of Glory himself, through his gracious blessing, has invisibly crowned you as the head of the Russian people and confirmed the supreme power that belongs to you."

When the eulogy arrived here, the metropolitan's work was not yet completed, and the patriarch cast his blessing on the side, as if to add some buffs, praying that the Russian monarch would gain more happiness.

Finally, the Metropolitan offers the royal orb in his left hand and the scepter in his right hand to the monarch: ".Take the scepter and the orb, which are visible images of the sole power which the Most High has given you over his people, in order to rule over them and provide them with all the desirable blessings."

At this point, the coronation ceremony of the emperor came to an end, and the Tsar himself would take over the small crown from the queen. Starting from the late Emperor Paul and the current Queen Mother Maria, the queen would participate in the coronation ceremony. During the period of the Queen Mother, the queen would kneel down to accept the coronation.

But when it came to Louisa, the young Queen Elizabeth, when the coronation ceremony was discussed, whether it was the Moscow ceremony or the St. Petersburg ceremony, she stood up to accept the small crown, took it from Alexander with both hands during the congratulation, and then put it on her head.

During the coronation process, Tsar Alexander touched Queen Elizabeth's hair and received the medal necklace and coronation cloak of the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle. The ceremony was the same as the previous emperor's coronation.

"Filippova" knew that she was here to play a supporting role, but Alexander hugged Louisa, who was pregnant, and let her put on the little crown herself, which was a rather special situation.

After all, without the service of the "maidens", the queen herself needs the protection of her spouse. This kind of coronation ceremony can make the spouses of monarchs of other countries envious. Queen Mother Maria also shared this jealousy. When Paul included her in the coronation ceremony, she knelt to receive it.

After Louisa gave birth, she went to Moscow. Although she did not need to be crowned in the Tsar's arms, she still had to stand like this to complete the entire ceremony.

This could be considered as some compensation from Alexander to Louisa. Since she could only be the second noble lady in the court, she could regain some of the etiquette of the coronation ceremony.

The Metropolitan would then read out the lengthy titles of Tsar Alexander and Empress Elizabeth, while the choir would continue chanting, wishing the Emperor a long reign and a long lasting kingdom.

The next activity was to kiss the Gospel, Alexander would take an oath and receive the blessing of the holy anointing.

The royal couple now proceed to the image behind the regalia carried by the royal guests, the Emperor standing on a golden cloth laid beforehand, while the Empress remains behind, now supported by her "maidens". The Metropolitan will anoint the Emperor with the anointing stick, then the Empress' forehead, followed by the ringing of bells and the roar of cannon.

Fortunately, Louisa is in good physical condition and is very calm, so she is not scared by the sound of artillery fire.

As for the Eucharist, freshly squeezed grape juice replaced the Queen's wine. The Tsar received the Eucharist according to convention, followed by the Queen.

At the same time, the metropolitan blessed the Tsar and the Queen.

"Lord, grant us a happy and quiet life, health, salvation and all blessings, as well as defense and victory over our enemies to our orthodox and pious Christian, great monarch, the crowned, exalted and anointed emperor of God, ruler of all Russians. And his wife, the orthodox and pious, the crowned, exalted and anointed empress, whose reign we bless for long."

Then the choir sang the hymn "Long Reign" three times, and the secular officials and clergy present bowed three times. At this time, Alexander kissed the cross, which marked the end of the coronation ceremony.

At this time, the Tsar and his wife were about to return to their official residence. Since the ceremony in St. Petersburg was different from that in Moscow, this time it was held in the church of the Winter Palace. The banquet was also relatively short, and the pregnant queen was carried back to her queen's bedroom to rest.

Anyway, Alexander knew that the Vatican's envoys were coming during the ceremony, and he would just ignore them if they protested. The problems between the Eastern and Western Churches were often caused by the Vatican's small actions, as was the case in Constantinople, Moscow and today's St. Petersburg.

As for what will happen afterwards, there will be celebrations, but we also have to take the Queen's physical condition into consideration. This year's celebrations will also be followed by the birth of the heir or the Grand Duchess. The whole of St. Petersburg will be very festive and joyful this autumn.

(End of this chapter)