The Life of The Late Tsar
Born as the Crown Prince of the Simsdom Empire, HIM was welcomed to his parents lives later than hoped for. He was the only child born to Tsar Nicholas and Tsarina Olga Ivanov after many failed attempts. Because of the struggle bringing him to the world, Crown Prince Alexei lived a sheltered and secluded life in the imperial palace
Above: TIM Tsar Nicholas and Tsarina Olga Ivanov at christening of Crown Prince Alexei
Above: First official imperial portrait featuring the Crown Prince
Alexei has stated previously that there were pros and cons to the childhood he lived:
"I learned how to rule the Empire directly from my father's side, which is an experience I wouldn't trade for the world. It helped me navigate the choppy seas of taking on the crown so early in my life. But it was also a hindrance. I spent my entire life locked up in that castle. I never sponsored any charities or took on state affairs to help my father bear the load, and in turn he died too young, and I was left with the burden of carrying on his legacy that stretched past boarders and lands farther than the palace gates, which is as far as I had ever gone. That's why Nadia and I have focused so much on giving our children freedom to become their own people. I know I put a lot of weight on Kitty (Ekaterina), but if she ever complained that it was too much, or that this life wasn't what she wanted, I would accept that, and as a family, we'd formulate a plan. That's all I want for them- to live their own free lives with the security of their parents' love."
Newspaper clipping of Crown Prince Alexei meeting Princess Nadia Amsberg for the first time on the UBrite campus.
Speaking of Nadia, when the Crown Prince did leave his castle for the first time, to attend The University Of Britechester, it was there he met the fiercely strong and independent foreign Princess Nadia Amsberg, of Cestana. The Princess was the youngest of many siblings, and from a country that did not have an alliance with the Empire, two things (in addition to her beauty and her strength) that intrigued the Crown Prince.
Crown Prince Alexei and Princess Nadia walking through UBrite campus, after four years of dating.
The young royals dated throughout their college careers- Princess Nadia studying law to further her goals of reforming the repressive women's rights in her tiny home nation of Cestana, and Crown Prince Alexei majoring in history and diplomacy at his father's recommendation. However, at the time, heirs to the Imperial throne could not marry someone who was not a citizen of the empire, so the public had little to no hope on a royal match.
Crown Prince Alexei & Princess Nadia enjoying one of their first walks around Glimmer Lake, a daily tradition they kept up to the end.
The young princess, who had recently gotten her law degree, was not to be stopped by oppressive laws. Princess Nadia presented an official case to the Imperial Parliament on why the law was outdated and actually harmful to the Empire's diplomatic goals. With the support of the Crown Prince and Tsarina Olga, actually, a new law was passed that rescinded the old one and the pair were free to get married.
Crown Prince Alexei proposing to Princess Nadia at their favorite spot- Glimmer Lake- on his way to mandatory military training where the couple would be separated for several years.
Their wedding was not to be, however, not for some time at least. The Crown Prince proposed to Princess Nadia on his way to formal military training (something that all men of the Imperial Family are required to perform) which would separate them for at least four more years. During this time, Princess Nadia returned to her home country of Cestana and fought for the women's rights she had worked so hard in school for, helping the tiny nation one last time before she would leave it to become a part of the Empire.
However, right as the Crown Prince was set to graduate from the military academy, Tsar Nicholas passed away, and the crown passed to the young prince.
Above: Tsar Alexei marries Princess Nadia and both are crowned as rulers of the Empire at coronation ceremony. Dowager Tsarina Olga is also present.
Tsar Alexei was rushed home from the military academy and advisors and parliament pushed him to hold the coronation right away, but he refused until he had the chance to finally marry his sweetheart, and then they could both take the throne together.
Crown Prince Alexei and Princess Nadia on a spring break vacation from school in Sulani
