A Statement from the Chancellery of the Russian Imperial House Concerning the “Russian Imperial Foundation”

In response to a number of inquiries concerning the “Russian Imperial Foundation,” an organization that has been chartered in Great Britain and which is sometimes erroneously called the “Foundation of the Russian Imperial House,” the Chancellery of the Head of the Russian Imperial House wishes to make it known to all parties concerned that the Russian Imperial House has no relationship whatsoever with the activities of the aforementioned organization.

To be sure, initial discussions about the creation and registration of the foundation included negotiations about how the foundation might participate in the charitable activities of the Russian Imperial House, and there even was a preliminary agreement to that effect. It had been arranged such that the foundation would operate under the patronage of the Head of the Russian Imperial House, H.I.H. Grand Duchess Maria of Russia. But the strict precondition for Her Imperial Highness’s sponsorship was that the foundation must be a purely charitable organization and that no less than 80 percent of its revenues must be directed to charitable ends and its accounts subject to external audit. When it became clear that the management of the Foundation had other ideas about its future activities, all collaboration between the Foundation and the Russian Imperial House, and other institutions linked to the Russian Imperial House, was completely terminated. Those Directors of the Foundation who had been suggested by the Grand Duchess Maria of Russia for appointment as outside Directors to represent the interests of the Russian Imperial House have resigned their positions.

Therefore, the “Russian Imperial Foundation” is an entirely private organization, which was created by private inpiduals. Neither the Russian Imperial House, nor any of the institutions or persons connected with it, bear any responsibility for its activities.

A.N. Zakatov
Director of the Chancellery
of the Russian Imperial House