Emperor Alexander III acquired the "Kaiser Villa" in the homeland of his wife, Empress Maria Feodorovna. The villa was located on the outskirts of the Fredensborg Park, not far from the royal palace, where Maria Feodorovna, the future mother of Nicholas II, often visited her parents.
The reason for the purchase was that even during his vacations, Alexander III continued to work with secret documents that were delivered to him from St. Petersburg. For this, he needed a secluded and securely guarded place with trusted staff.
The Tsar valued the time spent in Denmark, and he felt comfortable working in the "Kaiser Villa." This little house is depicted in the "secret" of one of the Fabergé Easter eggs gifted to the Empress in 1890, as well as on a porcelain cup that is now kept in Gatchina.
The bills for the maintenance of the villa were paid by the Cabinet until 1917. Correspondence from 1915 regarding the change of the villa's manager has been preserved, emphasizing that the established order should be maintained.
Empress Maria Feodorovna also financially supported her parents. After her mother's death, she helped her father, Danish King Christian IX, by sending money via telegram several times a year. For example, on February 25, 1914, a transfer of 8000 crowns was sent to Copenhagen.
Until 1914, transfers to Copenhagen were made three times a year after Maria Feodorovna received her salary from the treasury, which amounted to 24,000 crowns a year. With the onset of World War I, the frequency of transfers increased to four times a year, and the amount of each transfer rose to 8000 rubles, totaling 36,000 rubles a year. The last confirmed transfer was sent in July 1916.
Today, Fredensborg remains the residence of the Danish monarchs, and its halls and park are partially open to visitors. The "Kaiser Villa" is part of the architectural and park complex of Fredensborg.
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