Grand Duchess Natalia Petrovna of Russia (1718–1725) Grand Duchess Natalia Petrovna of Russia (1718–1725) Grand Duchess Natalia Petrovna of Russia was the youngest daughter of Peter the Great and his second wife Catherine I. Born in St. Petersburg, on 20 August 1718, during the peace negotiations with Sweden (Aland Congress). When Peter was at this time on the teachings of the galley fleet, and to learn about the birth of his daughter, made a feast, and sent his fleet to St. Petersburg. "This day August 20 at Trinity glorified Almighty God has bestowed His Imperial Majesty the brightest newborn daughter, she is called by the same name
Catherine the Great Catherine the Great Catherine II (Russian: Екатерина Алексеевна "Yekaterina Alekseyevna"; – ), also known as Catherine the Great (, "Yekaterina Velikaya"), born Princess Sophie of Anhalt-Zerbst, was Empress of Russia from 1762 until 1796, the country's longest-ruling female leader. She came to power following a "coup d'état" when her husband, Peter III, was overthrown. Under her reign, Russia was revitalized; it grew larger and stronger, and was recognised as one of the great powers of Europe. In her accession to power and her rule of the empire, Catherine often relied on her noble favourites, most notably Grigory Orlov and Grigory