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
Paul I of Russia Paul's son, the future Emperor Alexander I. It was not until 1787 that Catherine II may have in fact decided to exclude her son from succession. After Paul's sons Alexander and Constantine were born, she immediately had them placed under her charge, just as Elizabeth had done with Paul. That Catherine grew to favour Alexander as sovereign of Russia rather than Paul is unsurprising. She met secretly with Alexander’s tutor de La Harpe to discuss his pupil's ascension, and attempted to convince Maria, his mother, to sign a proposal authorizing her son's legitimacy. Both efforts proved fruitless, and though Alexander