Like Mother, Like Daughter
Catherine’s attempt to secure a powerful marriage for her granddaughter, Alexandra, mirrored her own mother’s earlier actions. Hoping to strengthen ties between Russia and Sweden, Catherine organized a grand engagement ball for Alexandra and King Gustav IV of Sweden. However, the elaborate plans fell apart when Gustav, troubled by concerns about Alexandra’s religious conversion, abruptly called off the engagement, leaving Catherine embarrassed.
The failed match highlighted the challenges of orchestrating political alliances through marital connections, even for a powerful ruler like Catherine.
