Rasputin's Killer and his Romanov Princess

by Coryne Hall

When the Tsar’s eighteen-year-old niece Princess Irina Romanov announced her marriage to Prince Felix Youssoupov, heir to the richest fortune in Russia, the Imperial family were shocked.
Prince Felix and his wife Princess Irina had it all. When they married in St Petersburg in 1914 immense wealth and social standing were theirs. But fate had other ideas. In 1916 Felix was involved in one of the most famous crimes of the twentieth century – the murder of Gregory Rasputin, evil genius of Empress Alexandra. It was Irina’s royal blood that ensured Felix was never prosecuted for what many saw as a patriotic act. The following year revolution swept the country and in 1919 Felix and Irina were forced into exile for the rest of their lives.
How did they survive in the real world when the money began to run out? Why did they live their lives in the shadow of Rasputin? How did Rasputin save them? And how did Felix redeem himself for Rasputin’s murder? No joint biography of Irina and Felix has ever been written.
This book utilises little-known Russian sources, as well as documents recently purchased at auction to reveal new facts, throwing fresh light on the couple’s lives, their relationship and how they never quite escaped from the shadow of Rasputin.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

288 pages, Hardcover

Published March 15, 2023

About the author

Coryne Hall is an historian, broadcaster and consultant specialising in the Romanovs and British and European royalty. She was born in Ealing, West London and developed a fascination for Imperial Russia in childhood when she learnt that her great-grandmother was born in St Petersburg, an almost exact contemporary of Nicholas II. The author of six books, she is a regular contributor to Majesty magazine, The European Royal History Journal, Royal Russia, Sovereign and Royalty Digest Quarterly. She acted as consultant on the Danish television documentaries “A Royal Family” and “The Royal Jewels.”
Coryne has lectured at royalty conferences in England, Denmark, Russia and America. Her media appearances include Woman’s Hour, BBC South Today, the documentaries “Russia’s Lost Princesses” and "13 Moments of Fate", live coverage of Charles and Camilla’s wedding for Canadian television and co-hosting live coverage of Prince William’s wedding alongside John Moore for Newstalk 1010, Canada. She was also the last person to have a private audience with Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother. She lives in Hampshire.

Reviews

[Carolyn Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first joint biography of Felix and Irina Youssoupov. Coryne Hall examines little known Russian sources and press coverage of the various legal cases, business efforts and controversies associated with the couple. She provides critical analysis of Felix's own memoirs, emphasising that his famous account of Rasputin's murder with the poisoned cakes was fictional and even the stories of Felix's own youthful exploits may well have been the experiences of his brother, who died in a duel at a young age. Hall provides an especially detailed study of Felix's time at Oxford and how his English social circle may have helped to shape his decision to murder Rasputin and the circumstances of the crime. Although Hall quotes Irina's correspondence and letters where she is mentioned, Irina remains an enigmatic figure in the book, clearly concerned with her own reputation and dignity but extremely private compared to her flamboyant husband.

[Moniek Bloks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Princess Irina Alexandrovna of Russia was born on 15 July 1895 as the daughter of Grand Duke Alexander Mikhailovich of Russia and Grand Duchess Xenia Alexandrovna of Russia, making her the niece of Emperor Nicholas II of Russia. She married the very wealthy Prince Felix Yusupov in 1914. He would later become best known for his role in the killing of Grigori Rasputin, a healer who had considerable influence on Nicolas II and his family. For this, he was put under house arrest.

Rasputin's Killer and his Romanov Princess by Coryne Hall covers the lives of this fascinating couple as they navigate through the scandal of Rasputin's killing and the eventual downfall of the empire built by the Romanovs. During their time in exile, they were plagued by financial difficulties and lawsuits. Despite these financial difficulties, they were known for their generosity. Their marriage had its ups and downs, but they remained married until Felix's death in 1967. Irina survived him for three years. Their only child, also named Irinia, married Count Nikolai Dmitrievich Sheremetev, and their only child is still living today. 

Rasputin's Killer and his Romanov Princess is an excellent read for those interested in the Romanovs. This couple witnessed the downfall and lived through the aftershocks. The book has a nice flow and is easy to follow. I'd highly recommend it.

[historic_chronicles · Rating 5 out of 5]

He was Prince Felix Youssoupov, a Russian aristocrat, heir to the incredibly wealthy Youssoupov fortune rumoured to be even bigger than that of the Imperial family's wealth and later infamous for taking part in the monumental events of Grigori Rasputin's murder on 30/17 December 1917. She was Princess Irina Alexandrovna, the only daughter of Grand Duke Alexander Mikhailovich and Grand Duchess Xenia Alexandrovna, the only niece to the Tsar Nicholas II and known as one of the most beautiful women in Russian society.

Together they became a powerhouse couple of wealth, influence and gossip.

In this first joint biography of Irina and Felix, Coryne Hall leads us through the alluring glamour of life as a Romanov, civil unrest that would lead to the downfall of a dynasty and that of the wealthiest individuals, and the long-lasting consequences of what had once been called "a patriotic act".

The Youssoupovs are incredibly divisive and colourful characters which provide fascinating narration, however what I appreciated most from Hall's work here was how unbiased she was in her approach. Not once did I feel pushed to view Felix as a "villain" or a "saviour", the approach was purely factual and that is how a biography is written at its best in my opinion.

A tale of action, consequence and tragedy, this latest work of Coryne Hall is essential for those interested in the Romanov Dynasty and the Russian Revolution.

My greatest thanks to @amberleypublishing and to @philipjdean1989 for so kindly sending me a copy of this fascinating book to review!

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

The notion that the grifters that they make movies about today (that horrible Anna Devley or whatever her name was) are something new is disproved by this book. Not that Felix and Irina were con artists - in fact they were the goldest of gold standard royals. However, much of this book was a story or entitled people “buying” and “selling” and charging expensive hotels and meals when they had to constantly escape their creditors. They kept spending - I counted at least 6 properties that Felix was juggling while he claimed poverty. The use of the art and the jewels to back up their spending was astonishing. Any notion of the hardship we have heard about from other books is harder to stomach/believe after reading this tale.

[Arturo Gonzalez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fantastic biography of an enigmatic prince and a shy princess. Their lives from Imperial Russia to exile is a fascinating read giving details about how they lived, their joys and pitfalls trying to survive a different world they were not accustomed. This is an excellent book giving detailed information.

I do have a concern: in the book it mentions that Nikoli Chermetev (husband to Irina - Bèbè) is related to the Italian/Montenegro royal families. I haven't found any information leading to this.

[Saturday's Child · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite the small print I found this an engaging read. I have read Felix's book Lost Splendor so I am familiar with his story of how he said his life was lived however I have not read much at all about his wife Irina. As with the author's work Little Mother of Russia which I have read, I found this book to be also very well researched and written.

[JamesK · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although somewhat flatly written, this is a well-researched account from what I could read of it: unfortunately the size of the text in the paperback edition at least is so eye-achingly miniscule, it's a scandal in itself. How the publisher Amberly can think this is good business sense is bewildering.

[♡ Vincent ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

A duo biography on Felix and Irina. Rasputins killer, Felix Yusupov (son of Count Felix Sumarokov-Elston and Zinaida Yusupova) and his Romanov Princess, the niece of the last tsar, Irina Alexandrovna (daughter of Grand Duke Alexander Mikhailovich and Grand Duchess Xenia Alexandrovna)
Though Im going to be honest, most of the book is about Felix, probably he has memoirs and Irina doesn't. And personally it was an amazing read.
This book helped me get into Irina and actually made me go out and look for photos of her bc she's so beautiful and actually learning about her relationship with the Grand Duchesses was so cute. It's honestly no wonder she didn't want to return to Russia even when Felix wanted to.