TATIANA , born at Peterhof, May 29 1897, had exotic, dark features with widely spaced grey eyes and dark brunette hair. Old black and white photographs do not do justice to her extraordinary beauty. She had a special quality which one had to see in her walk and regal, feminine bearing. People said she was most like her mother and, like her, no one never mistook her for anything other than a royal. She was reserved, was excessively thin, and had the posture and attitude of a princess. Tatiana was also graceful and charming. She sensed people's initial unease being around a Tsar's daughter and made a point of putting people at ease in her presence. Tatiana had a lovely voice that was elegant and aristocratic, and more formal than her sisters.

She loved to write letters, her artistic penmanship was very angular and virtually indecipherable. Having friends was very important to her and, like her sister Olga, she eagerly sought them out. Although she was a charming person and eager to meet new people, she found it difficult to build satisfying friendships. People found it almost impossible to forget who she was, and the still rigid formally of the court made relationships with average people 'unsuitable' in the eyes of high society. The girls had a rigid schedule which was pre planned for them by others and it was difficult to arrange spontaneous meetings with people their own age. Dozens of people were required to arrange a simple visit to a friend. Even casual informal walks in parks or along streets were a big operation. The secret police followed them around constantly, hiding in bushes and even chasing people away ahead of them on paths.

Men found Tatiana extremely attractive and she was the most well-liked of her sisters by the guards in Siberia. Clothes, jewellery, furs and perfume were of great interest to her and she was conscious of how attractive she could look in a smart dress. In this she followed in the footsteps of her mother, who also had a love of fashion. Tatiana was closest to Alexandra and was usually the one chosen to ask for difficult favours from their mother. Her tact and gentle persuasiveness usually worked. Some felt Tatiana was the favourite of her parents, but they tried very hard not to show favouritism. More so than her sisters, Tatiana understood her mother's personality and preferences; it was obvious she enjoyed being in her mother's company more than the others. Unlike Olga, she never complained when asked to do a chore by her parents.

Tatiana seemed indifferent to her education and the arts. She studied languages, painted and played piano, but seemingly without passion or inspiration. Her technical mastery of the piano was obvious, however her technique was dry and academic.
During the war she became a nurse like her mother and sister. Her uncomplaining, cheerful discharge of duties and stunning beauty made Tatiana exceedingly popular among staff and patients. Smiling and naturally affectionate, but without undo familiarity, she was approachable but unmistakably a princess. Tatiana was adored by many of the officers she took care of in her wartime hospital work. In some cases, their affection took on a passionate, fairy tale aspect and many officers carried fond memories of the beautiful Tatiana long after her death.

Imprisonment was tough on Tatiana. Like her older sister, she became even more thin and withdrawn. Tatiana was religious - much in the same way her mother was - and she was an inspiration to the rest of the family in captivity. She had a French bulldog named Ortino, who was a great family favourite