Prince Felix Yusupov

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Prince Felix Yusupov, the murder of Grigori Rasputin, died on this day in 1967, exactly 50 years ago. The younger son of Count Felix Felixovich Sumarokov-Elston and Princess Zinadina Yusupov, he was born into the extremely wealthy Yusupov family, wealthier than the Romanov Tsars, of which his mother was the last descendent, leading his father to adopt the name and title of his wife. Growing up in St Petersburg, Moscow, and the Crimea, between the over 50 Yusupov Estates and Palaces. Prince Felix was educated at home in Russia and then at Oxford, becoming the Heir in 1908, when his brother died in a duel. In 1914, he married Princess Irina Alexandrovna of Russia, a niece of the Tsar. The couple were returning from their honeymoon when WWI broke out and they got trapped in Germany, pulling a few strings to get home, where he was exempted from Military Service as an only-son. Prince and Princess Yusupov had one daughter, Princess Irina. In 1916, along with other conspirators, Prince Felix lured Grigori Rasputin to his Moika Palace in St Petersburg, where the group shot and killed him. For his part in the proceeding, Prince Felix was exiled to his rural estate, returning once to St Petersburg before he left for exile in the Crimea during the Russian Revolution. They were able to escape Russia in 1919, travelling around Europe, where the Prince and Princess were active in the émigré community. In the 1930s, they sued MGM for Princess Irina’s portrayal in a film, which led to the disclaimer in every American film. In 1956, Prince Felix won back the Château de Keriolet, which used to belong to the family. Prince Felix wrote his memoir, Lost Splendour, which is a must read. He died on this day in 1967. Princess Irina died three years later. The couple are buried in Paris.

Learn about the famous Yusupov jewels in the documentary, De Kongelige Juveler.

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