Russia’s First Royal Wedding Since 1917 In Pictures

Russia on Friday held its first royal wedding since the 1917 Bolshevik revolution toppled the Romanov monarchy.

The wedding had in attendance aristocrats travelling from across Europe for the lavish ceremony between Grand Duke George Mikhailovich Romanov, 40; and his Italian fiancee Rebecca Virginia Bettarini, 39.

They got married at Saint Isaac’s Cathedral in the former imperial capital, Saint Petersburg.

See more photos, courtesy, AFP:

Duke of Braganza Duarte Pio (L) speaks with Princess Marie-Marguerite, Duchess of Anjou (C), and her husband Prince Louis Alphonse de Bourbon, Duke of Anjou (R), at the wedding ceremony.

The Crown Princess Elia of Albania (L) speaks with Duarte Pio, Duke of Braganza, as they attend the wedding ceremony

Former Bulgarian King Simeon II and his wife Margarita arrive to attend a dinner during the wedding of Grand Duke George Mikhailovich Romanov, and Victoria Romanovna Bettarini

Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna of Russia arrives to attend a dinner during the wedding of Grand Duke George Mikhailovich Romanov, and Victoria Romanovna Bettarini

Albania’s pretender to the throne, Crown Prince Leka Zogu II, the grandson of self-proclaimed King Zog and his wife Elia Zaharia arrive to attend a dinner during the wedding of Grand Duke George Mikhailovich Romanov, and Victoria Romanovna Bettarini

Victoria Romanovna Bettarini accompanied by her father, Roberto Bettarini, arrives to attend a dinner after her wedding with Grand Duke George Mikhailovich Romanov

Grand Duke George Mikhailovich Romanov arrives to attend a wedding dinner after his wedding ceremony

Sarah Faberge (R), great-granddaughter of Peter Carl Faberge, jewellery and objet d art Faberge company founder, arrives to attend a dinner during the wedding of Grand Duke George Mikhailovich Romanov, and Victoria Romanovna Bettarini

Angela Davies