Olga Constantinovna Of Russia

Olga Constantinovna of Russia (Greek: Όλγα; born 3 September [O.S. 22 August] 1851 – died 18 June 1926) was Queen of Greece as the wife of King George I. She served briefly as regent of Greece in 1920. A member of the Romanov dynasty, Olga was the eldest daughter of Grand Duke Constantine Nikolaievich of Russia and his wife, Princess Alexandra of Saxe-Altenburg. Her childhood was spent in Saint Petersburg, Poland, and the Crimea.

Olga married King George I of Greece in 1867, at the age of sixteen, following his visit to Russia in 1863 and again in 1867. Their marriage took place at the Winter Palace in Saint Petersburg. The union produced eight children: Constantine (b. 1868), who later became king; George (b. 1869); Alexandra (1870); Nicholas (1872); Marie (1876); Olga (1880); Andrew (1882); and Christopher (1888).

Initially, Olga adapted to her new role in Greece, learning Greek and English, and engaging in social and charitable activities. She founded hospitals and schools, supported various charitable organizations, and contributed to the development of healthcare, including the establishment of hospitals during conflicts such as the Greco-Turkish War of 1897 and the First Balkan War (1912–13).

During her husband's reign, Olga was appointed to the rank of admiral in the Imperial Russian Navy. She also expressed interest in the Greek language and cultural issues, notably sponsoring a translation of the Gospels into Modern Greek, which led to significant controversy known as the Evangelika riots in 1901.

Following the assassination of her husband, King George I, in 1913, Olga returned to Russia. During World War I, she established a military hospital at Pavlovsk Palace and remained in Russia during the Russian Revolution, where she was confined in Pavlovsk Palace until she was able to escape to Switzerland with the aid of the Danish embassy.

In 1920, Olga returned to Athens during the illness of her grandson, King Alexander. After his death, she was appointed regent for her minor grandson, King George II, serving from November to December 1920. Her regency lasted briefly until her son Constantine I was restored to the throne in December 1920.

Olga spent the final years of her life in exile in the United Kingdom, France, and Italy following the Greek monarchy's exile after the defeat in the Greco-Turkish War of 1919–1922 and subsequent political upheavals. She was granted a pension by the Greek government and maintained connections with her family members across Europe.

She died in 1926, either at Prince Christopher's villa in Rome or in Pau, France. Her remains were initially interred in Italy but were later re-interred at Tatoi Palace after the Greek monarchy was restored in 1935. Her personal estate included jewelry valued at approximately £100,000 at the time. Olga was involved in efforts to translate the Bible into Modern Greek and was known for her charitable work and public service during her lifetime.