The last Romanov who could have been tsar, and who deferred the crown to a Constituent Assembly
On 16 March 1917, Mikhail declared: "I am firmly resolved to assume supreme power only if such is the will of our great people, who must now by universal suffrage and through their representatives in the Constituent Assembly establish a form of government."
The youngest son of Alexander III and for years heir presumptive while his nephew Alexei suffered from haemophilia, he withdrew from the succession himself by marrying a commoner in a morganatic union that scandalized the dynasty. When Nicholas II abdicated in his favor on 15 March 1917, Mikhail deferred acceptance of the throne until a Constituent Assembly, elected by universal suffrage, could decide the form of government; with that signature, the Romanov dynasty effectively ended. He retired to Gatchina and took no further part in political life. In June 1918 local Chekists abducted and shot him near Perm, making him the first Romanov killed by the Bolsheviks.
Activities and affiliations
Career Timeline
- 1899–1904Heir presumptive; member of State Council
- 1912Morganatic marriage to Natalia Brasova; stripped of duties and exiled
- 1914–1916Commanded Caucasian Native Cavalry ('Savage Division') and 2nd Cavalry Corps; awarded Order of St. George
- 1917.1–3Inspector-General of Cavalry
- 1917.3.15–16Proclaimed Michael II upon Nicholas II's abdication, but deferred acceptance pending a Constituent Assembly
- 1918.3–6Exiled to Perm; abducted and murdered by the Cheka
Related historical events
- 1917.02–07The February Revolutionheir who deferred accepting the throneAfter Nicholas II abdicated, he deferred accepting the throne until a Constituent Assembly decided the form of government.
- 1918–1922The Civil War and Foreign InterventionRomanov abducted and killed by the Cheka near PermIn June 1918, local Chekists abducted and killed him near Perm.