The Fall of the Dynasties: The Collapse of the Old Order: 1905-1922

by Edmond Taylor

On the practical level Anna’s chief function was to act as a liaison agent between the Czarina and Rasputin; the starets could not appear at the palace every day, but Anna could and did; thanks to her a continuous two-way communication was established. When a face-to-face conference was necessary out of normal visiting hours Alexandra could meet Rasputin at Anna’s house. She was useful in other ways. There were a certain number of down-to-earth requests or suggestions — particularly those relating to the starets’ personal finances — that Rasputin could not make without stepping out of his other-worldly role. Anna made them for him. There is reason to believe that she likewise prompted Rasputin at times to tell the Czarina what — for purposes of husband management — the latter wanted to hear him say.