The Real Tsaritza

Close Friend Of The Late Empress Of Russia

For anyone at all interested in Nicholas and Alexandra, Lili Den's THE REAL TSARITSA is absolutely indispensable source material. (The author's name is most often spelled "Dehn.") Den was a close friend of the Tsaritsa, so close that Alexandra chose not to give her an official position as a lady-in-waiting. Her book gives us as close a look at Alexandra as can ever be had, especially during the February Revolution, when Den was living at the palace at Tsarkoe Selo. (Anna Vyrubova was as close a confident of the Tsaritsa as Den. 

Den saw herself as an absolutely devoted friend of Alexandra, tried to be one and quite obviously wrote as one. Its value lies in its testimony of Den's great friendship and devotion. Perhaps Alexandra's ability to inspire such friendship says something in her favor. If someone might accuse Den of sycophancy, it is not obvious what Den got out of the friendship beyond a share of trials and tribulations no one would choose to undergo.