As long ago as in 1990 I made the acquaince of the Grand Duke Vladimir Kirillovich, then Head of the Russian Imperial House of Romanov. It was one of most important and fruitful contacts (by correspondence) of mine at those hectic times.

     The Grand Duke’s initial commitment to the revival of Russian heraldry in the early 90s established the pattern for its future development. As I have said elsewhere, the Grand Duke and I (together with David Johnson) used to devote a great deal of thought to every minute detail of the future Diplomas Armorum (Letters Patent) to be issued by the CHR. For instance, even the wording of them, or rather the Introductory Formula – " To All and Singular by these Presents be it known that the Collegium Heraldicum Russiae has entered in the Matricula Armorum the Armorial Bearings of..." – was long and thoroughly elaborated, and then confirmed personally by the Grand Duke Vladimir Kirillovich in 1991, the year when he appointed me to be Saint Andrew Principal Herald Master, Head of the Collegium Heraldicum Russiae (see his letter below).

      In all sincerety I have to say that, going beyond the natural respect which I had for him as the representative of the Imperial Dynasty, I always felt delight towards him as a personality. He was a real Gentleman with a capital G. I consider this quality more highly than being of noble birth. After all, to be born in a distinguished family is a matter of fate – it is accidental. But to be a gentleman – that is something different – it is a condition of the spirit.

     The Grand Duke always supported us, because he was certainly a far-sighted and wise person and he understood that our heraldic activities were not the indulgence of trivial human vanity, but were and still have been an enormous educational factor and a great stimulus towards self perfection, particularly for the rising generation. As a man of thinking on a scale of nations he saw the value to lie, not in raising some people at the expense of belittling others, but in fact that others will do their best to aspire to the same level.

     Memory eternal to our late Patron Majestic.

Commander Valery Yegorov

     Below is the letter written personally by His Imperial Highness to Valery Pavlovich Yegorov, dated 4th September 1991, in which the Grand Duke kindly praised the College`s activities, and mercifully confirmed the title of St Andrew Principal Herald Master, which was to be accorded to the author of these lines.

With the Saints
give rest, O Christ, to the soul of Thy servant Vladimir,
where there is neither sickness, nor sorrow,
nor sighing, but life everlasting.
Amen.

REQUIESCAT IN PACE

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