They were the Princess Dianas of their day--perhaps the most photographed and talked about young royals of the early twentieth century. The four captivating Russian Grand Duchesses--Olga, Tatiana, Maria and Anastasia Romanov--were much admired for their happy dispositions, their looks, the clothes they wore and their privileged lifestyle. Over the years, the story of the four Romanov sisters and their tragic end in a basement at Ekaterinburg in 1918 has clouded our view of them, leading to a mass of sentimental and idealized hagiography. With this treasure trove of diaries and letters from the grand duchesses to their friends and family, we learn that they were intelligent, sensitive and perceptive witnesses to the dark turmoil within their immediate family and the ominous approach of the Russian Revolution, the nightmare that would sweep their world away, and them along with it.--Provided by publisher.

"First published in Great Britain under the title Four Sisters: The Lost Lives of the Romanov Grand Duchesses by Macmillan, an imprint of Pan Macmillan, a division of Macmillan Publishers Limited"--Verso of title page.

Prologue : The room of the first and last door -- Mother love -- La petite duchesse -- My god! What a disappointment! ... a fourth girl! -- The hope of Russia -- The Big Pair and The Little Pair -- The Shtandart -- Our friend -- Royal cousins -- In St Petersburg we work, but at Livadia we live -- Cupid by the thrones -- The Little One will not die -- Lord send happiness to him, my beloved one -- God Save the Tsar! -- Sisters of Mercy -- We cannot drop our work in the hospitals -- The outside life -- Terrible things are going on in St Petersburg -- Good-bye. Don't forget me -- On Freedom Street -- Thank god we are still in Russia and all together -- They knew it was the end when I was with them -- Prisoners of the Ural Regional Soviet -- Epilogue : Victims of repression.