NTERFAX Report on the Visit to Moscow of the Head of the Russian Imperial House, H.I.H. Grand Duchess Maria Wladimirovna: The Descendants of the Romanoffs Will Not Insist on Any Restitutions

Moscow. February 18. INTERFAX. The House of Romanoff will not seek restitution of any kind and will not support the activities in Russia of monarchist parties, the Head of the House, Grand Duchess Maria Wladimirovna, announced.

The Grand Duchess on Friday visited the Supreme Court in Moscow and addressed the judges and staff of the Supreme Court, said the Director of the Chancellery of the House of Romanoff, Alexander Zakatov.

“At the meeting, Maria Wladimirovna was asked about restitution. The Grand Duchess affirmed that she is against any sort of restitution, and that she has never in the past asked for anything and never will,” Zakatov said.

According to Zakatov, Maria Wladimirovna stated that the House of Romanoff will not support in Russia the formation of monarchist parties.

“She stated that the Imperial House ought to be a force for the unity, not division, of her countrymen. In her words, the Imperial House cannot link itself with any political parties, not even monarchist ones,” Zakatov stated.

“Maria Wladimirovna was asked if she believes in the restoration of monarchy in Russia. She answered that she does, but stated that she believed the time for it has not yet arrived. She noted that the House of Romanoff is prepared to serve the Russian people in any form and in all conditions,” said the Director of the Grand Duchess’s Chancellery.

“At the Supreme Court, Maria Wladimirovna stated that the legal system of Russia is developing, and that the entire world sees the positive changes taking place here. In particular, she noted that the rehabilitation of her relatives by the Supreme Court showed the world that Russia is reestablishing itself as a law-respecting state, that one can obtain justice here, and the rule of law prevails,” Zakatov said.

According to Zakatov, Maria Wladimirovna awarded the chairman of the Supreme Court, Viacheslav Lebedev, the Order of St. Anna, First Class.

Maria Wladimirovna was accompanied in her visit to the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation by A. Zakatov, and by the head of legal affairs for the House of Romanoff, German Luk’ianov.

On October 1, 2008, the Presidium of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation formally rehabilitated Nicholas II and members of his family.

The Head of the House of Romanoff presently lives in Spain.