George + Rebecca: the wedding of the Romanovs will be held in Russia for the first time since 1917

Irina Mishina

“The head of the Russian Imperial House, the Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna, is pleased to announce the wedding of her son and heir H.I.V. Grand Duke Georgy Mikhailovich with Mrs. Victoria Romanovna Bettarini, daughter of His Excellency Ambassador Mr. Roberto Bettarini and Mrs. Carla Bettarini", - says the message that Novye Izvestia received from the Russian Imperial House.

The same message says that Mrs. Rebecca Bettarini on July 12, 2020, at the Peter and Paul Cathedral in St. Petersburg, converted to Orthodoxy, giving her the name Victoria Romanovna.

Ms. Rebecca (Victoria) Bettarini and Georgy Mikhailovich Romanov have been in a relationship for almost ten years. At social events and receptions, Grand Duke George and Rebecca (Victoria) Bettarini have long begun to appear together. But the announcement of the upcoming wedding followed only now. The wedding is scheduled for fall 2021.

Who is this mysterious Italian woman who won the heart of the descendant of Russian emperors? Rebecca Bettarini (in Orthodoxy - Victoria Romanovna) was born in Rome in May 1982. She is the only daughter of Italian diplomat Roberto Bettarini and his wife Carla Virginia. She received an excellent classical education: she studied at a European school with teaching in French, English, Spanish and Italian. Living with her parents in Brussels, she even played in the theater. Returning to Rome, she studied political science at the Free International University of Social Sciences Luis Guido Carli. Ms Bettarini's dissertation is on the topic of agricultural trade and the rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Rebecca (Victoria) Bettarini's track record is impressive. She managed to work in the civil service at the Italian defense company Finmeccanica, where she organized events at the international aviation exhibition in Farnborough; was responsible for the analysis of disputes in the aviation sector submitted to the WTO. Ms. Bettarini also worked as an analyst on the agreements of the Transatlantic Trade Investment Partnership.

However, in 2017 R.V. Bettarini suddenly ended her civil service and became director of the Russian Imperial Fund, established by Grand Duke Georgy Mikhailovich and under the patronage of the Head of the Russian Imperial House, Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna. It can be assumed that this is due to the beginning of a closer relationship with the heir to the Russian imperial throne. But Ms. Bettarini did not limit herself to charity work. In 2017, she founded a consulting and management company serving European clients.

Obviously, Ms. Bettarini's successes in the work of the Russian Imperial Fund were impressive, because in 2020, for her participation in deeds of mercy in Russia and for promoting humanitarian cooperation between Russia and Europe, she was elevated to dignity by the Head of the Russian Imperial House, Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna Knight of the Lady of the Imperial Order of St. Anastasia the Pattern Cutter. One way or another, Ms. Bettarini's track record allows us to speak of her as a qualified specialist with good business qualities. The high awards of the Russian Imperial House also suggest that Ms. Bettarini was seen as a lucrative party for Grand Duke George Mikhailovich.

The 39-year-old Grand Duke Georgy Mikhailovich also received an excellent education and managed to work hard in the civil service. He spent his childhood in France, then, with his august mother, lived in Madrid, where he graduated from college. They say that the Tsarevich goes in for sports and shoots well.

The Grand Duke subsequently graduated from Oxford University and after that worked in the European Parliament, then was assistant to the Vice-President of the European Commission and Commissioner for Transport and Energy in Brussels, worked in the Department of Nuclear Energy of the European Commission. In 2008, Tsesarevich Georgy Mikhailovich became an advisor to the general director of Norilsk Nickel. In this position, His Imperial Highness represented the interests of a Russian company in the European Union. After the expiration of the contract at Norilsk Nickel, the Tsarevich created his own PR-agency Romanoff & Partners in Brussels. This agency represents the interests of Russian and Eastern European companies in the European Union.

Since 2017, the Grand Duke spends most of his time at home, living in Moscow. He is involved in the development of the funds created by him, participates in charitable and educational projects, is the Chairman of the Management Board of the Rus Food Fund.

Many wondered how the Grand Duke Georgy Mikhailovich and Mrs. Bettarini met. "We crossed paths at dinners or balls, and then met at the French embassy in Brussels when we both worked in the European Union. This is where a friendship began, which grew into a romance", - the Grand Duke told French weekly Paris Match.

Where the 39-year-old Grand Duke and his 38-year-old chosen one will live is not known. While they spend most of their time in Moscow.

Naturally, many have questions about the relationship of the descendants of the Imperial family with the Kremlin and their attitude to politics in general. To this Georgy Mikhailovich prefers to answer evasively and diplomatically: “We are usually invited to ceremonies of a historical nature. We maintain a relationship of mutual respect and cooperation in areas where we can be useful. We are always warmly greeted... Our family stopped playing politics. On the other hand, the historical and cultural heritage associated with our name has the value of social cohesion and should be encouraged. We hope that one day we will be able, in a more specific way, to become ambassadors around the world, ”said the Grand Duke in an interview with the French weekly Paris match.

Whatever the fate of the 39-year-old Grand Duke and his future 38-year-old wife may be, we should wish them simple human happiness.