On the 17th/30th day of this August in the year 1933, in accordance with the fundamental laws, my first-born son, the Heir, Tsesarevich, and Grand Duke Wladimir Kirillovich reached his Majority. This joyful event is the first in Our House since the time when Russia was overwhelmed with trouble and when, in the inscrutable ways of the Lord, the precious life was cut short of Our dearly beloved cousin, the Sovereign Emperor Nicholas Alexandrovich; of his son, the Heir, Tsesarevich, and Grand Duke Alexei Nikolaevich; and of his brother, Grand Duke Michael Alexandrovich.

After confirming, with indescribable sorrow, the untimely deaths of these martyrs, We, profoundly aware of the solemn duty which is incumbent upon Us, accepted by inheritance, according to the supreme authority which pertains to the position of Head of the Imperial House to which We succeeded, all the rights and duties which belong to Us by virtue of the Fundamental Laws of the Russian Empire and the Statute on the Imperial Family.

On this solemn day of the majority of Our Heir, Our thoughts go out to the great family of the Russian people.

Boundless are the sufferings which have befallen the land of Russia. Russia is being governed by blood and iron, by famine and cold, by slavery and ruin. Everything sacred has been outraged, churches have been defiled and destroyed, the family, the faith, all the mainstays of the community and the very name of Russia are being destroyed with hatred and merciless cruelty. We now assert that, as long as it may please the Most High to prolong Our days, We shall continue to toil tirelessly for the deliverance and happiness of suffering Russia. Our dearly beloved Son and Heir, the Grand Duke Wladimir Kirillovich, serves as a great consolation in these toils, and We call upon all Russian people who are faithful to the ancient ordinances of our Russian tradition, to offer their fervent prayers to Almighty God for the health and happiness of Our Heir.

May Divine Providence give him unfailing strength for selfless service to the great land of Russia and all the peoples dwelling therein, following the example of his Imperial ancestors, under whose sovereign leadership the great State of Russia grew, became strong, and developed.

Kirill

Saint-Briac