Moscow,
3rd September 1826
Two weeks later Charlotte could be found seated once more in one of the Ambassador's carriages, this time being conveyed to the Cathedral of the Dormition where they would shortly be witnessing the coronation of Tsar Nicholas I, Emperor of Russia. The order of their entrance and seating had been determined in the previous days by the Ambassador's staff and shared with them that very morning before their departure. The prince and the Ambassador's wife would lead the party followed by the ambassador with his daughter, behind them the duke would escort Lady Susan. Viscount Morpeth would escort Charlotte at the rear preceded by Lord and Lady Granville.
They had arrived in the city but two days previously, having made good time travelling from St. Petersburg. The Emperor himself and his party had arrived the previous morning and the Ambassador, Prince and Duke had been received by the royal family in the late afternoon before returning to the Ambassador's residence for the evening meal.
Their journey from St. Petersburg to Moscow had been uneventful for the most part though there had been a momentary scare when the Duke had started to choke on his bread in one of the many Inns they had stopped at on their way. Charlotte had become better acquainted with her company and even the Duke, who clearly still thought her lacking and would no doubt continue to do so, had been civil and polite.
She had grown closer to Lady Granville who was a grounded and sensible woman; her husband Lord Granville seemed more reserved by nature and was a man of few words. Charlotte discovered she delighted in the company of Viscount Morpeth who had a shrewd wit and frequently engaged in a mocking sort of humour with all his companions and yet also participated in serious discussions on politics, agriculture and commerce. The Ambassador's wife and daughter were similar in looks and vastly different in character. Where the elder was stern and sanctimonious, the younger was lively and outgoing and was sure to make friends wherever she went.
The distance from the Ambassador's residence to the cathedral was a short one and as they were not confined to the carriage for long. The ladies were handed down by the gentlemen and the party made their way into the building behind the Russian Court. They were to be seated to the right and three rows back from the platform upon which the ceremony would be conducted allowing them an adequate view of the proceedings.
They had not been seated long when the organs rose to life, playing the processional march and the imperial family, state figures and the Patriarch of Russia entered the cathedral and religious icons were blessed as they went. All those attending the coronation had risen and only returned to their seats at the Patriarch and imperial family ascended the platform steps and they were bid to do so.
The ceremony began with the singing of psalms and the recitation of biblical passages and prayers. This was followed by the crowning of the Tsar. The Patriarch presented the Imperial Crown to Nicholas I who placed this upon his head and a third prayer was spoken. The Emperor was then presented with the sceptre and orb and a fourth prayer was spoken.
The newly crowned Emperor of Russia sat upon the throne with crown on head and orb and sceptre in hand and Charlotte thought she had never seen such a sight. This moment was shortly usurped however as Nicholas I was divested of the orb and sceptre as his consort Alexandra Feodorovna knelt at his feet to be crowned Empress by her husband. The Tsar briefly placed the Imperial Crown upon her head before she was given the Tsaritsa's Imperial Crown, a smaller and more delicate construction than the Tsar's own. Empress Alexandra Feodorovna rose as the chain of the Order of St Andrew was placed around her neck and a purple mantle draped over her shoulders.
They made a striking pair, sat together in full imperial regalia; the Emperor a strong and handsome man and the Empress, though thin and pale was resplendent with beauty in that moment. The ceremony continued with many prayers for the longevity and health of the Emperor and Empress and the anointing during which the coupled made oaths to serve and protect the people of the Russian Empire.
The Service concluded with the reading of prayers after holy communion and the paying of homage to the Tsar from the Empress, the dowager Empress and other members of state and significant guests. It was here, that the Ambassador and Prince played their roles as they made promises of continued friendship between their nations.
After the coronation ceremony and service concluded and the imperial family and members of state began the return procession from the cathedral to the Kremlin Palace, Charlotte's party remained for a time to take holy communion themselves before returning once more to the Ambassador's residence to bathe after the five-hour ceremony and to change for the coronation banquet that evening. Only the Ambassador's family and the Prince were permitted to attend the banquet, and only the Ambassador would be received by the Tsar to share a toast to his new reign. The rest of the party, however, had been invited to enjoy their evening meal with several members of the Russian court with whom Lord Granville had enjoyed close friendship during his own tenure as the British Ambassador to Russia.
