Six Years at the Russian Court

From 1898 to 1904, Margaretta Eagar, an Irish-born nanny, found herself at the heart of the Russian imperial family, caring for the four young grand duchesses—Olga, Tatiana, Maria, and Anastasia Nikolaevna Romanova—daughters of Emperor Nicholas II and Empress Alexandra Feodorovna. United by a sisterly bond, the girls affectionately dubbed themselves OTMA, a playful acronym that symbolized their closeness. Eagar felt that many contemporary authors had romanticized the royal family and Russian society, so she set out to share her own unembellished truth. Her memoir, Six Years at the Russian Court, published in 1906, offers a fascinating glimpse into life with OTMA, their parents, and the wider Romanov circle, while also delving into the rich tapestry of Russian culture and society during her time there. - Summary by Brian Fullen