Felix Yusupov - a vicious aristocrat, a murderer or a patriot of Russia? Yusupov-Sumarokov-Elston Felix Felixovich (Prince Felix Yusupov Jr.).

The memoirs of Prince Felix are interesting, he describes with self-irony the curiosities of his life when he became the laughing stock of the public, honestly talks about his personal shortcomings and tells in detail without embellishment about the murder of Rasputin - "a demon in a peasant guise".

Prince Felix Yusupov in Russian costume. Here he resembles Fedka Basmanov, Ivan the Terrible's favorite guardsman. Fedka also liked to "dress up in women's clothes."

As Prince Felix himself writes, his bride, Princess Irina, niece of Emperor Nicholas II, helped him reconsider his views on life and pleasure. The prince called his former hobbies "poor."

Here is how Felix wrote about his future wife:
“I could not forget the young stranger I met on a walk on the Crimean road. From that day on, I knew that this was my destiny. Quite still, the girl turned into a dazzlingly beautiful young lady. From shyness she was restrained, but restraint added charm to her, surrounding her with a mystery. In comparison with the new experience, all my previous hobbies turned out to be miserable. I understood the harmony of true feeling.
You can take Felix at his word. But an anecdote unwittingly appears.
The prince returns home in the morning. And his wife says to him:
- Where have you been?
- I played billiards with the officers.
- And why are you wearing a lady's dress and mother's jewelry?
- Well, Ira, you walk like this every day. Did I say a word to you?

Felix with his beloved wife Irina

It should be noted that Felix liked to dress up not only in women's tsatski. Often he appeared in the costumes of historical characters, perfectly entering the image of heroes. The prince especially liked the character Cardinal Richelieu.
“At that time, fancy-dress balls came into fashion in St. Petersburg. I was a master of costumes, and I had a lot of costumes, both male and female. For example, at a masquerade at the Paris Opera, I exactly repeated the portrait of Cardinal Richelieu by Philippe de Champaigne. The whole hall applauded me when I appeared in a cardinal's robe, which was carried behind me by two Negroes in gold trinkets.

Once, dressed in a woman's dress, Prince Yusupov won the favor of the English King Edward VII. This incident reminded me of the story of the Chevalier d'Eon, who, because of his dressing up, almost became the royal favorite.

Masquerade scenes of the early 20th century in paintings by Konstantin Somov

“Once we decided to appear as a couple at a costume ball at the Opera: we put on - brother of dominoes, I - a woman's dress. Before the masquerade began, we went to the De Capucine Theatre. We settled in the first row of the stalls. Soon I noticed that the elderly subject from the letter box was persistently lorning me. During the intermission, when the lights came on, I saw that it was King Edward VII. The brother went out to smoke in the foyer and, returning, with a laugh, said that a pompous type had approached him: I ask, they say, on behalf of his majesty, tell me the name of your lovely companion! To be honest, I enjoyed it. Such a victory flattered self-esteem " Felix boasted.

By the way, the idea of ​​jokes with dressing up belonged to Nikolai - Felix's brother and his girlfriend Polenka. For fun, Nikolai even helped Felix get a job as a singer in the chic Aquarium cabaret. The debut of the "singer" was very successful, after the performance, the conspirators rolled with laughter in the dressing room, reading love messages from enthusiastic fans.

Cabaret "Aquarium", where Prince Felix shone

“By diligently attending cafés, I knew almost all the fashionable songs and sang them myself soprano. When we returned to Russia, Nikolai decided that it was a sin to bury my talent in the ground and that it was necessary to take me to the stage of the Aquarium, the most luxurious St. Petersburg cabaret. He came to the director of the "Aquarium", whom he knew, and invited him to listen to a French singer with the last Parisian verses ...

This is how the Avish of the Art Nouveau era looked like

On my poster, instead of a name, there were three stars, igniting the interest of the public. As I stepped onto the stage, I was blinded by the spotlights. Wild fear seized me. I was numb and numb. The orchestra played the first bars of Dreams of Paradise, but the music seemed muffled and distant to me. In the hall, out of compassion, someone clapped. Opening my mouth with difficulty, I began to sing. The audience treated me coolly. But when I performed Tonkinka, the audience applauded wildly. And my "Pretty Child" got a standing ovation. I encore three times.

Excited, Nikolai and Polenka waited backstage. The director came with a huge bouquet and congratulations. I thanked as much as I could, while I myself choked with laughter. I put my hand to the director for a kiss and hurried to send him off.

There was an agreement in advance not to let anyone in to me, but while Nikolai and Polenka and I, falling on the sofa, rolled with laughter, flowers and love notes arrived ...

Six of my performances were held in the "Aquarium" safely. On the seventh evening in the box I noticed my parents' friends. They looked at me very carefully. It turned out that they recognized me by my resemblance to my mother and by my mother's diamonds.

A scandal erupted. My parents made a terrible scene for me. Nicholas, defending me, took the blame. Parental friends and our family swore that they would be silent. They kept their word. The matter was hushed up. The cafeteria singer's career died before it even started. However, I did not give up this game of dressing up. There was too much fun."

Living room of the Yusupov house on the Moika

Bathroom door

You can make a comedy about the adventures of Prince Felix. Perhaps the adventures of Prince Felix in a cabaret inspired the filmmakers of the film “Only Girls in Jazz” (“Some Like It Hot”). The dressing up joke again led to a family scandal.

“I had a tragicomic story. I acted as the Allegory of the Night, wearing a dress of steel sequins and a diamond diadem star. On such occasions, my brother, knowing my eccentricity, accompanied me himself or sent reliable friends to look after me.

That evening, a guards officer, a known red tape, came after me. He and three of his buddies invited me to dine at the Bear's. I agreed in spite of, or rather, because of the danger. The fun was breathtaking. At that moment, my brother was amiable with the mask and did not see me. I slipped away.

I came to the "Bear" with four gentlemen, and they immediately asked for a separate office. Gypsies were called in to set the mood. Music and champagne inflamed the gentlemen. I fought back as best I could. However, the most daring contrived and pulled off my mask. Frightened by the scandal, I grabbed a bottle of champagne and threw it at the mirror. There was a sound of broken glass. The hussars were taken aback. At that moment, I jumped to the door, pulled back the latch and gave thrust. In the street I called a cab driver and gave him Polenka's address. Only then did I notice that I had forgotten my sable fur coat at the Bear.

And a young beauty in a half-naked dress and diamonds flew into the icy frost at night in an open sleigh. Who would have thought that the crazy beauty is the son of the most worthy parents!

Of course, Felix's father was outraged by such behavior and disobedience. Once he already demanded that his son stop the stupid antics that dishonor the family.
“My adventures became, of course, known to my father. One day he called me to his place. He called me only in the most extreme cases, so I chickened out. And for good reason. The father was pale with anger, his voice trembled. He called me a villain and a scoundrel, saying that a decent person would not even shake hands with me. He also said that I was a disgrace to the family and that my place was not in the house, but in Siberia in hard labor. Finally he told me to go out. After all, he slammed the door so hard that a picture fell off the wall in the next room ... ".

Respectable family of the prince.
Mother - Zinaida Nikolaevna, father - Felix Feliksovich, elder brother Nikolai and younger - Felix.

For the first time, the prince dressed up as a young lady as a child, together with his cousin, they decided to fool around and, pulling outfits from mother’s closet, went for a walk along Nevsky Prospekt ...
“We were twelve or thirteen years old. One evening, when my father and mother were away, we decided to take a walk, dressed in women's clothes. We found everything we needed in mother's closet. We unloaded ourselves, blushed, put on jewelry, wrapped ourselves in velvet fur coats, which were too big for us, went down the far stairs and, waking up my mother's hairdresser, demanded wigs, they say, for a masquerade.

In this form we entered the city. On Nevsky, a haven for prostitutes, we were immediately noticed. To get rid of the gentlemen, we answered in French: “We are busy” - and it was important to move on. They fell behind when we entered the chic restaurant "Medved". Right in our fur coats, we went into the hall, sat down at a table and ordered dinner. It was hot, we were suffocating in these velvets. They looked at us with curiosity. The officers sent a note - they invited us to have dinner with them in the office. The champagne went to my head. I took off my pearl beads and began to throw them, like a lasso, on the heads of my neighbors. The beads, of course, burst and rolled across the floor to the laughter of the public.

Bar restaurant "Bear" in the early 20th century

Now the whole room was looking at us. We prudently decided to give a fight, picked up the pearls in a hurry and headed for the exit, but the head waiter caught up with us with the bill. We didn't have any money. I had to go and explain to the director. He turned out to be young. He laughed at our invention and even gave money for a cab driver. When we returned to the Moika, all the doors in the house were locked. I shouted out the window to my servant Ivan. He came out and laughed to tears when he saw us in our coats. The next morning was no laughing matter. The director of the Bear sent his father the rest of the pearls collected on the floor in the restaurant, and ... the bill for dinner!

The prince honestly explained his eccentric antics by his vanity and pride:
“In truth, this game amused me and, moreover, flattered my self-esteem, because women liked me small, but I could conquer men. However, when I was able to conquer women, my own difficulties appeared. Women obeyed me, but they did not stay with me for a long time. I was already used to being looked after, and I didn’t want to take care of myself. And most importantly, I loved only myself. I liked being the subject of love and attention. And even this was not important, but it was important that all my whims be fulfilled. I thought that this was how it should be: I do what I want, and I don’t care about anyone. ”

Prince Felix himself denied rumors about his dislike for ladies:
“It has often been said that I don’t like women. Not true. I love when there is, for what. Others meant a lot to me, not to mention the friend who made up my happiness. But I must confess, the ladies I knew rarely matched my ideal. More often fascinated - and disappointed. In my opinion, men are more honest and disinterested than women.

Although the prince treated same-sex love with understanding.
“I have always been outraged by human injustice to those who love differently. You can blame same-sex love, but not the lovers themselves. Normal relationships are contrary to their nature. Are they to blame for being created this way?

As chronicler N. M. Romanov wrote: “I am convinced that there have been some physical outpourings of friendship in the form of kissing, mutual groping and perhaps… even more cynical. How great was the carnal perversion of Felix, I still little understand, although rumors about his lusts were common. In 1914, he married the niece of Nicholas II and "corrected".

Irina's sincerity and kindness especially attracted Felix. She did not have the characteristic qualities of secular young ladies that repelled the prince. Secularism has always spoiled the character.
“Irina gradually overcame her shyness. At first she spoke only with her eyes, but gradually I was able to appreciate her intelligence and correctness of judgment. I told her my whole life. Not in the least shocked, she met my story with rare understanding. I realized what exactly was disgusting to me in female nature and why I was more attracted to the society of men. Women's pettiness, unscrupulousness and indirectness disgusted her in the same way ... "

As it turned out, Felix's friend - Prince Dmitry (who later became an accomplice in the murder of Rasputin) also courted Irina, but seeing the reciprocity between the princess and Felix, he retreated.
“My engagement has not yet been officially announced. Unexpectedly, Dmitri came to me and asked if I was really marrying his cousin. I replied that nothing had been decided yet. “But I also wanted to marry her,” he said. I thought he was joking. But no: he said that he had never spoken more seriously.

Now Irina had to decide. Dmitry and I promised each other not to influence her decision in any way. But when I relayed our conversation to her, Irina announced that she would marry me and only me. Her decision was irrevocable, Dmitry retreated. The cloud darkened our friendship with him and never dissipated.

Although historians argue who Prince Dmitry loved more - Irina or her fiancé - Felix, or maybe both at once, and therefore suffered doubly, not knowing whom to prefer. In the meantime, he suffered and thought about the choice, both subjects of his love decided to get married.

Grand Duke Dmitry Pavlovich - rival or lover of Felix Yusupov?

However, the bride's parents doubted the correctness of their choice and decided to terminate the engagement. Yusupov learned this news in Paris. Immediately, he went to the Grand Duke Alexander to convince him. As it turned out, Felix was slandered in front of his future relatives by people whom he considered his friends.

Felix Yusupov in the portrait of Zinaida Serebryakova

“Arriving in Paris at the North Station, I met Count Mordvinov. I was horrified to hear that he had been sent by the Grand Duke Alexander to announce the break of my engagement! I was even forbidden to seek a meeting with Irina and her parents. In vain I bombarded myself with questions from the Grand Duke's envoy. He stated that he was not authorized to speak further.

I was shocked. However, I decided that I would not allow myself to be treated like a small child. Before judging, they must listen. I will defend myself and defend my happiness. I immediately went to the hotel where the Grand Duke and Princess lived, went straight to their room and entered without a report. The conversation was mutually unpleasant. However, I managed to convince them and achieve their final consent. On the wings of happiness, I rushed to Irina. My fiancee repeated once again that she would not marry anyone but me. Subsequently, it turned out that those who slandered me in the eyes of Irina's parents, I considered, alas, my friends. I already knew that my engagement was a misfortune for others. It turned out that they went to meanness, just to upset her. Their affection for me, even in this form, thrilled me.”
It is believed that Felix's rejected admirers decided to interfere with his wedding.

The day of the wedding has come. Again, it was not without curiosity. The groom got stuck in the elevator, and the king himself, along with his relatives, had to rescue the future son-in-law from trouble.
“On the day of the wedding, a carriage drawn by four horses went for the bride and her parents to take them to the Anichkov Palace. My own arrival did not shine with beauty. I was stuck in an old shaking elevator halfway to the chapel, and the imperial family, led by the emperor himself, unanimously rescued me from trouble.

Description of the wedding from the memoirs of the prince:
“Irinin’s wedding dress was magnificent: a white satin dress with silver embroidery and a long train, a crystal diadem with diamonds and a lace veil from Marie Antoinette herself.

But for a long time I could not choose an outfit. I did not want to be in a tailcoat in broad daylight and wanted to get married in a business card, but the business card angered my relatives. Finally, the uniform of the nobility - a black coat with a collar and cuffs embroidered with gold and white pantaloons - suited everyone.
Members of the royal family, married to persons of non-royal blood, were required to sign an abdication. No matter how far Irina was from the views of the throne, she also obeyed the rule. However, she was not upset.

Accompanied by my parents, I crossed two or three halls, already crowded and full of ceremonial dresses and uniforms in orders, and entered the chapel, where, in anticipation of Irina, I took the seats allotted to us.

Irina appeared arm in arm with the emperor. The emperor brought her to me, and as soon as he went to his place, the ceremony began.

The priest spread out a pink silk carpet, on which, according to custom, the bride and groom must pass. According to the sign, whoever of the young will step on the carpet first, he will be the first in the family. Irina hoped that she would be quicker than me, but she got tangled in the train, and I got ahead of her.
After the wedding, we headed the procession to the reception hall, where we stood next to the imperial family to accept, as usual, congratulations. The line of congratulations dragged on for more than two hours. Irina barely stood. Then we went to the Moika, where my parents were already waiting. They met us on the stairs, as usual, with bread and salt. Then the servants came with congratulations. And again, everything is the same as in Anichkov.

Finally departure. A crowd of relatives and friends at the station. And again shaking hands and congratulations. Finally, the last kisses - and we are in the car. On a mountain of flowers rests a black dog muzzle: my faithful Punch reclined on wreaths and bouquets.

When the train started moving, I noticed in the distance on the platform the lonely figure of Dmitry.

In this fragile, incredible beautiful girl the blood of one of the noblest families of Europe flowed. It seemed that a brilliant fate awaited her - the daughter of the Grand Duke, the wife of the most enviable groom of the empire, a fantastically rich handsome man and aristocrat; she was destined to live a calm, happy life behind the back of her husband who adored her.

But he himself destroyed the world to which they belonged, and the fact that they survived, could not get lost in the bloody mess of history - this is only her merit. A fragile beauty with an unusually strong character - Irina Yusupova.

(Irina with her parents)

Irina Romanova was born on June 15, 1895. She was the eldest child - and as it turned out later, the only daughter - in the family of Grand Duchess Xenia Alexandrovna, the eldest daughter of Emperor Alexander III, and Grand Duke Alexander Mikhailovich, grandson of Emperor Nicholas I. Alexander Mikhailovich, or Sandro, as they called him in the family, was the closest friend of the heir Nicholas and was considered by many to be the most handsome man of the Romanov dynasty. A tall brunette with delicate features of an aristocratic face, a military bearing and a light character from early youth was known as a conqueror of women's hearts.

(Grand Duke Alexander Mikhailovich)

Ksenia Alexandrovna, her father's favorite, outwardly very similar to her mother Maria Feodorovna, fell head over heels in love with Sandro. Alexander Mikhailovich, who was flattered by such a feeling on the part of the tsar's daughter, began, in turn, to seek her hand. However, Alexander III delayed the answer, believing that Xenia was too young; Ksenia did not dare to trust her mother, knowing that Maria Fedorovna did not like the Mikhailovichs, considering them - quite rightly - to be too frivolous and unrestrained people.

(Grand Duchess Xenia Alexandrovna)

One of the Sandro brothers Mikhail Mikhailovich in 1891 married, to the great displeasure of the emperor, Sofya Merenberg, Countess de Torby - the granddaughter of Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin, daughter of Natalia Alexandrovna and Prince of Nassau. Another - Sergei Mikhailovich - preferred ballerinas; he would soon replace Nicholas as Matilda Kseshinsky's official patron.

(Emperor Nicholas II)

For several years, only Nikolai knew about the mutual feelings of Sandro and Xenia, who fully supported the romance of his sister and closest friend. Finally, in July 1894, Ksenia and Sandro got married. A year later, Irina was born to them, followed by six more sons: Andrey, Fedor, Nikita, Dmitry, Rostislav, and in 1907 - Vasily.

(Irina in childhood)

But by the time their last son was born, their marriage had long since turned into a sham. Sandro's bad reputation actually turned out to be even worse; from his youth, spending a lot of time on sea voyages, he gained the richest male experience in brothels of all ports of the world, and after the wedding he was not going to change his lifestyle. It's just that now he took his young wife on trips to the brothels. Ksenia, who adored her husband, meekly allowed him to engage in his "enlightenment" in the field of indecent entertainment. As a result, when in 1906 Sandro fell in love with another cocotte in Biarritz, he introduced her into his family as a governess, telling Xenia about everything; she, by this time already quite "enlightened", immediately consoled herself in the arms of one Englishman. Their "marriage of four" was practically not hidden, causing a lot of gossip in high society, which did little to occupy the grand ducal couple.

(Maria Feodorovna)

It seemed that the only ones who suffered were their children, taken in by their grandmother Maria Fedorovna. Especially Irina - her subtle, sensitive, vulnerable nature perceived the inappropriate behavior of her parents especially painfully. Irina grew up as a beloved, but abandoned child. Her upbringing was mainly done by her grandmother and aunt, Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, whose eldest daughter Olga Nikolaevna was the same age and friend of Irina. Irina was taught languages ​​- English, French, German were in use in the royal family; She drew very well and read a lot. Deprived of parental affection, Irina grew up unusually shy.

(Irina Romanova)

This even caused certain inconveniences: according to etiquette, in conversations with people below her in origin (that is, the vast majority of those with whom the young princess spoke) did not have the right to speak to her first, and often had to wait in vain for Irina to cope with her timidity.

(Felix Yusupov)

When it came time for her to fall in love, her choice surprised everyone who belonged to the same circle with her: Irina fell in love with Felix Yusupov without a memory.

(Zinaida Yusupova)

They had known each other since childhood - Feilks' mother, Princess Zinaida Nikolaevna, one of the most beautiful and smartest women of her time, was a maid of honor at the court of the Empress and for a long time was one of Maria Feodorovna's closest friends. At her receptions, young people from high society often met. Felix was her youngest, most beloved son - and a variety of rumors circulated around him. Mostly of a very dubious nature. Irina claimed that she fell in love with him not for his fantastic beauty or no less fantastic wealth, but so that her love would save him from his vicious inclinations.

(Irina in her youth)

There really was something to save. Felix's strange, often frankly indecent behavior was legendary. A person so distinguished in his position - a rich man, a representative of one of the most aristocratic families, an incredible handsome man - would in any case attract the eyes of the world, but Felix allowed himself much more than society could forgive and understand.

(Felix with parents and brother)

He immediately belonged to two of the most noble aristocratic families: his father, Felix Feliksovich Sr., belonged to the family of Counts Sumarokov-Elston. He was married to Zinaida Nikolaevna Yusupova - the only heiress of the richest family of the Yusupov princes; their wealth was so great that the income from it alone amounted to about 10 million rubles a year.

It was said that the Yusupovs were richer than the royal family itself. They owned luxurious palaces in St. Petersburg and Moscow, several estates throughout Russia, including the famous Arkhangelskoye estate near Moscow. After the death of her father, the last Yusupov, by a special imperial decree, the title of Prince Yusupov passed to the husband of Zinaida Nikolaevna, and in the future it was to be borne by the eldest of their children.

(Felix Yusupov)

However, along with the title, this family also received a family curse imposed, according to family legend, on the ancestor of the Yusupovs because, under Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, he betrayed Mohammedanism and converted to Orthodox Christianity. According to the curse, only one male heir will survive in each generation; everyone else will die before they reach the age of 26.

(Zinaida Yusupova)

Felix Feliksovich and Zinaida Nikolaevna had three sons. The middle one died as a child. The eldest, Nikolai, was killed in a duel by Count Manteuffel in 1908, only six months before his twenty-sixth birthday. Felix Feliksovich Jr. remained the only heir.

(Felix Yusupov)

After the death of her eldest son, Zinaida Nikolaevna literally became obsessed with Felix. She did not let go of him a single step, controlled all his actions ... But she did not follow. The young prince Yusupov became famous for the fact that he liked to appear in public in women's outfits. They said that this was because Zinaida Nikolaevna, after the birth of two sons, wanted a daughter so much that Felix was dressed and raised like a girl for quite a long time. Be that as it may, the prince retained a passion for women's clothes even in adulthood.

The father, extremely dissatisfied with such oddities in his son's behavior, sent Felix away from sin to study in England, at Oxford University, where the young prince, inspired by the ideas of Nietzsche and Oscar Wilde, became famous for his outrageous behavior and subtle, refined taste - they went to the unusual decoration of his rooms look like on a tour, so that later you can try to reproduce at least something similar.

He was allowed to return to Russia only after the death of his brother, and then Felix, as heir, openly went into all serious trouble. At the age of twenty, for the first time he dared to appear dressed in a woman's dress in a fashionable St. Petersburg restaurant, attracting appearance the attention of all men. Felix was very handsome, and beautiful in a feminine way: tall, slender, with a sensual mouth on a gentle, chiseled face, and with fantastic, legendary eyes - they were said to glow in the dark, like those of a predator.

In the female guise, the prince liked to visit the haunts of England, France and Germany. Once he attracted the attention of the very "first Don Juan of Europe", the English King Edward VII - he really wanted to get to know the unknown beauty better. This incident incredibly flattered Felix's pride, and he even decided to start a professional career as a singer on the stage of the Aquarium cabaret in St. Petersburg. The contract was concluded for two weeks, but was interrupted earlier. The "debutante" went on stage in a blue tunic embroidered with silver and luxurious family jewels - which were identified at the next performance by the Yusupovs' acquaintances. An incredible scandal broke out, which with great difficulty was hushed up ...

Felix was again sent abroad, where he spent several years. Returning to Russia, Felix behaved much more decently. He sincerely fell in love with Irina Romanova and intended to marry her, and for this he needed a good reputation. Daily baskets of flowers, expensive gifts, modest walks around St. Petersburg and luxurious picnics outside the city were thrown at the feet of the young princess. Zinaida Nikolaevna was delighted and supported her son's passion in every possible way: the granddaughter and niece of the emperors was a suitable match for her beloved son! Her persistent signs of attention were very embarrassing for Irina. In fact, Irina was insanely jealous of Felix for her mother, who considered herself the main woman in his life.

(Zinaida Yusupova)

The bride's parents did not object: to them, who had long despised all the laws of morality, even his most daring adventures did not seem out of the ordinary. They were not even embarrassed by persistent rumors about his homosexual addictions: among the Romanovs, who spent their whole lives in a military environment, there were several well-known homosexuals; most of the rest were said to have "sipped the wine, but didn't like the taste." It was said about Felix that his own elder brother had lured him to same-sex love; and among the lovers were young men from the Romanov family. Maria Fedorovna, who adored her granddaughter, was not aware of the gossip about Felix and did her best to support Xenia's desire to marry her beloved.

(Grigory Rasputin)

The only one who objected to this wedding was Grigory Rasputin, who had a huge influence on the imperial couple. He argued, alluding to Felix's alleged orientation, that he could not be a husband at all. Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, who fully supported Rasputin, after Nikolai agreed to this marriage, did not talk to her husband for a long time ...

(Felix and Irina)

The engagement was announced in the fall of 1912 at the Yusupov Palace in Miskhor.
For the young, they began to rebuild the left wing of the famous Yusupov Palace on the Moika. The chambers of the already luxurious building in St. Petersburg now simply amazed with both wealth and delicate taste.

(Yusupov Palace on the Moika)

For Irina, a "Fountain of Tears" was arranged from the Ural gems, the rooms were filled with antique furniture and the latest creations of the most fashionable masters. Her aunt Olga Nikolaevna later recalled that in the rooms there were vases filled with raw sapphires, emeralds and opals, and the crockery was gold. The best jewelry houses in Europe were inundated with orders for wedding gifts for Irina.

The wedding took place on February 22, 1914 at the Anichkov Palace. Irina was wearing a family diamond diadem and a gift from Emperor Nicholas - a veil of the French Queen Marie Antoinette. Irina was 19 years old, Felix - 26. This is how the most beautiful, richest and most noble couple of the Russian Empire appeared. The happiest, as everyone thought. Who knew then that the life of these young people - such lovers - would be full of not only joy, but also crimes, grief, deprivation ... This wedding was destined to be the last solemn marriage in the Romanov family.

Spouses healed frankly happy life. Their strong mutual feeling silenced the gossip that had previously swept around the name of Felix. Everyone who saw them together noted the undoubtedly strong feeling that connected them. Felix spoiled his wife as best he could: for example, they said that in her chambers there was a special room only for shoes, where three thousand pairs of shoes and boots belonging to Irina from the best European craftsmen were kept; at a time when cars were a huge rarity, only in the Crimea, the young Yusupovs had three of them.

And on March 8, 1915, they had a daughter, who was named Irina in honor of her mother. Therefore, Irina Alexandrovna, unlike most ladies of high society, after the start of the World War, sat at home with her husband, and did not work in a hospital - the Yusupovs financed two hospitals and a sanatorium in their Crimean estate Koreiz. Felix, having expressed a desire to serve his country, but not having, unlike most aristocrats, a military education, was engaged in special courses at the Corps of Pages.

True, due to his frivolous attitude to the study of an officer's rank, he never received. However, he soon came up with a new plan to save Russia - the murder of Grigory Rasputin. Felix hesitated for a long time, pondered ... When he finally made up his mind, he began to act very energetically. It is still not completely clear why it was Felix Yusupov who came up with the idea to kill Rasputin. Although in his family the “old man” Gregory was not loved by everyone. His mother, Zinaida Nikolaevna, even quarreled over him with the imperial couple. Princess Yusupova was convinced that Rasputin should be removed from the Court. By the way, shortly before his death in the Ipatiev House, Nikolai, as Felix Yusupov himself recalls, told Zinaida Nikolaevna that she was right ...

The most common version is political: in the highest circles of Russian society, dissatisfaction with the incredible influence that Rasputin had on Nikolai and Alexandra, and through them on state policy, has long matured. It was Rasputin who was blamed for Russia's defeat in the war with Germany. And after several unsuccessful assassination attempts and attempts to alienate him from the court in a peaceful way, Yusupov and his comrades finally managed to get rid of the "old man". The second version is that Felix protected from Gregory, known for his voluptuousness, his wife, whom he laid eyes on. On that fateful evening, Grigory was lured to the Yusupov mansion under the pretext of a meeting with Irina - as if she had severe headaches, which Grigory promised to cure. True, Irina herself was in the Crimea at that time. And finally, there is a version according to which Rasputin did not need Irina at all, but Felix himself: there were rumors that Rasputin, on behalf of the Romanovs, treated him for homosexual addictions and himself fell in love with a handsome young man who saw no way out of this situation, except for murder .

(Felix with his wife and daughter)

Be that as it may, on the night of December 16-17, 1916, in the mansion of Felix Yusupov, Rasputin was killed by a group of conspirators - cadet Vasily Maklakov (it was he who, it is believed, developed the plan for the murder), Felix himself, Grand Duke Dmitry Pavlovich They said that he committed this crime because he was infatuated with Felix), Duma deputy Vladimir Purishkevich, doctor Stanislav Lazovert and captain Ivan Sukhotin. At first they tried to poison Rasputin; when the poison had no effect, he was shot dead. According to the stories, Grigory turned out to be unusually tenacious: he came to life several times, and he had to be shot again. In the end, the body was taken out of the palace and thrown into the Neva, where it was found a few hours later. According to the doctors, Grigory was still alive when he was thrown into the water.

The news of this instantly spread around Petrograd. Everyone knew the names of the killers, and most considered them right; they were called the saviors of Russia and folk heroes. Already in the morning they were bombarded with congratulations - which allowed the police to immediately find the perpetrators. Nikolai was horrified - in his will, Rasputin predicted the imminent death of the dynasty and empire if he fell at the hands of one of the royal relatives. Alexandra was in despair; she demanded that the killers be shot. Yusupov was placed under house arrest, then sent under supervision to the Rakitino family estate near Kursk.

Belonging to the most influential and wealthy family, Felix Yusupov was a very outrageous person. Loving to dress up as a woman and turn the head of young officers, involved in the murder of Rasputin, he was known for centuries as a dark personality in Russian history. On the other hand, as if on a scale, his good deeds are balanced: the creation of a fashion house in Paris, patronage and assistance to emigrants from Russia in France. How did demonic vices and good deeds coexist in Yusupov?

Prince's parents

The parents of the imperial dandy were Zinaida Nikolaevna Yusupova and Count Sumarokov-Elston. Mother was an enviable bride, the owner of a colossal fortune. Not only eminent bachelors of the Russian Empire fought for her hand, but also the aristocrats of Europe. Felix Yusupov recalled her as a beautiful, fragile and very intelligent creature.

Zinaida Nikolaevna was not ambitious, so she married not for convenience (and she could even claim the royal throne), but for love. The chosen one was officer Felix Sumarokov-Elston. With the high position of his wife, he easily managed to make a career. Moreover, Felix the father was presented with a princely title by the emperor, and he was also allowed to be called by his wife's surname.

The marriage of such dissimilar people, a refined princess and an officer, was happy, but not easy. Two children were born: Nikolai, the eldest, and Felix. In 1908, the 25-year-old heir tragically dies during a duel and Felix Yusupov becomes the successor to a huge fortune. His biography will be told below.

Childhood

Childhood is the time when the personality is formed, the formation of character takes place. Yusupov Felix Feliksovich was born in 1887, on March 23.

His youthful years were spent in luxury and festivities. A favorite of his mother, he was very handsome: regular, as if carved features, in which aristocracy was traced. Zinaida Ivanovna passionately wanted a girl, so she dressed Felix exclusively in girlish clothes.

Apparently, this habit remained with the boy from a distant childhood. Already a five-year-old child, Yusupov demonstrates his love for dressing up in women's dresses. Not soldiers and games with boys, but his mother's wardrobe - that's his favorite pastime. Together with their brother Nikolai, they dress up as women and visit taverns, gatherings of women of easy virtue. Felix even performs in a cabaret: he sings one of the parts.

This occupation infuriates his father, the boy constantly receives slaps in the face. Felix Feliksovich wanted to see in his son the successor of his military affairs, and the women's things on the boy did not fit into this idea. The relationship of the two Felixes has always been distanced.

The hobby continued until the death of Nikolai, Felix's brother.

Period of life in the Russian Empire

In Russia, the young Prince Felix Yusupov was known as an eccentric youth, a rebel. He loved ridiculous antics, extremely surprising the audience. They talk about him, gossip, give rise to fables. It should not be forgotten that the society of that time was not as accustomed to shocking as modern, so the shocking actions of the young Yusupov stunned many.

As for Yusupov the student, he was not a diligent student. However, he had an amazing mind and the ability to synthesize the necessary information.

At first he studied at a private gymnasium, then continued to receive an education at Oxford University. There he connected Russian-speaking students into society, and also created an automobile club.

Yusupov had a special relationship with his mother's friend, Grand Duchess Elizabeth. She was the sister of the Empress. Felix considered the woman a saint, her advice, parting words, good attitude helped the young man survive the tragic death of his brother. In 1914, Yusupov marries Irina, a representative of the Romanov dynasty, and thus becomes related to the imperial family.

The First World War finds the young Yusupov couple in Germany. With difficulty returning to St. Petersburg, Felix begins to help in the treatment of patients at the hospital. In 1915, the Yusupovs had a daughter, Irina.

The murder of Rasputin: background

Zinaida, Yusupov Felix Feliksovich and even Grand Duchess Catherine saw that they were suffering because of the closeness with the imperial family, because the attention of monarchs was riveted only to this dark personality.

Indeed, Gregory began to occupy a high position at the court of the emperor. The savior of the heir, he was revered by the empress as a saint. All attempts to appeal to common sense were unsuccessful: the empress was adamant, considered everything to be slander. And the emperor was forced to agree with everything, because the life of the blood heir was in the hands of the elder. Thus, a plan to kill the objectionable "saint" began to be thought out.

The murder conspiracy

Felix's involvement in the murder was the most direct. However, he will remember this for the rest of his life as a nightmare. Close friends of Yusupov took part in the conspiracy: deputy Purishkevich, Dmitry Pavlovich, a native of the royal family, and a resident of the British intelligence services, O. Reiner, was also involved.

To implement the plan, it was necessary to get close to Gregory. This role was assigned to Felix. He asks Rasputin to get rid of vice, to help.

12/17/1916 Rasputin is invited to the Yusupov family mansion, allegedly to meet Irina, Felix's wife (she is currently in the Crimea). There they try to poison him first, and then fatal shots are heard.

This crime hides many mysteries, but one thing is clear: Felix himself believed that by doing this he was saving his beloved country from obscurantism. Indeed, the citizens of the empire breathed a sigh of relief upon learning of the death of Gregory.

Suspected Felix Yusupov is exiled to Rakitino, his father's estate.

Emigration: life in London

The family safely survives the revolution, but emigrates to Europe. Their path ran first to the Crimea, then to Malta. Further, Prince Felix Yusupov and his family are sent to the UK, and his parents - to the capital of Italy.

Until the last, they all hoped that they would still see their native lands, but this was not destined to come true.

In London, Felix helps the incoming noble refugees. The family does not live in luxury, as in their homeland, because they left all the treasures at home. The jewels that were on the women were sold - they lived on this. It could not do without swindlers who robbed the Yusupovs.

Paris: World War II

The last place of residence is Paris. Irina and Felix Yusupov moved there in 1920. Miraculously, they managed to take out the original paintings and some jewelry from Russia. This was enough to buy a small house. France also continues to help those who fled from the new realities of the country of the Soviets. At the same time, the Irfé fashion house was opened by the Yusupovs, but it did not bring them the desired financial well-being.

Funds for life appeared in an unexpected way: a film about Rasputin and his death was released in Hollywood. It was reported that the elder had a love affair with Irina, Felix's wife. It was decided to go to court with charges of defamation. As a result, the couple received good compensation.

During the war, Yusupov flatly refuses to join the Nazis. They took possession of Felix's family - a very rare gem. They blackmailed her, but the prince was adamant. As a result, the jewel returned to the family.

In 1942, tragic news comes: Yusupov's best friend, who participated with him in a conspiracy against Rasputin, died - Grand Duke Dmitry. For a long time Felix mourns his friend.

After the end of the war, the Yusupovs live in Paris, they barely have enough money, but they do not despair: they are always hospitable, joyful and happy, despite severe hardships. Felix Yusupov, whose photo is in the article, is an example of a truly Russian aristocrat. Uncorruptible, with self-respect, but at the same time open to helping the disadvantaged.

Wife Irina Alexandrovna

A person's personality will not be fully revealed if one does not delve into his relationship with his wife. The wife of Felix Yusupov is nee Romanova, the emperor's niece Irina Alexandrovna.

From the very engagement, the relationship of young people underwent obstacles. It should be said that Felix himself decided to marry, it was his decision, and not pressure from the family. Young people knew each other from childhood, had tender feelings in their youth, so they were not at all against the wedding. The families also did not mind, the union was quite equal in rights: the Romanovs and the richest family in the country. However, the engagement almost broke down because of "well-wishers" who told Irina's father compromising facts about Felix's sodomy. The young man convinces the future father-in-law of his innocence, and the wedding takes place.

Throughout their lives in exile, the Yusupov couple was engaged in charity work and helping other emigrants, although they lived very modestly. They are an example of like-minded spouses, zealous patriots of their country.

Probably, for all the good deeds they were destined to live for many years: Felix Yusupov dies in 1968 at the age of 80, his faithful wife Irina died 2 years later.

Descendants of the prince

Unfortunately, the Yusupovs had only one daughter, Irina. During emigration, she lives for some time with her grandmother Zinaida, after which she marries Count Sheremetyev and moves to Rome.

Xenia is born from this union. Thus, she, her daughter Tatyana and two granddaughters are living direct descendants of the Yusupov family.

Felix Yusupov and Dmitry Pavlovich Romanov are two of those who participated in the murder of the favorite of the royal family on the night of December 17, 1916 - the elder Grigory Rasputin. What connected them? position in society? Of course. Closeness to the royal family? Undoubtedly. But there was also something that made the situation somewhat piquant and, in fact, is almost never mentioned openly in historical research and documents. But the memoirs of contemporaries nevertheless, one way or another, lift the veil of "secrecy" and inform readers about the true state of affairs and the course of events.

Prince Felix Yusupov and Grand Duke Dmitry Pavlovich

Grand Duke Dmitry Pavlovich with Empress Alexandra Feodorovna

Grand Duke Dmitry Pavlovich

"Felix used to be admitted to the palace due to his position and the feelings that he managed to inspire the Romanovs in general, and not just Nikolai and Alexandra Feodorovna. But besides the emotional attachment, which, in spite of everything, I still admit on the part of Felix in relation to the king and queen, there was something else. Felix was completely consumed by vice. This vice attracted him to the Grand Duke Dmitry Pavlovich. Since Felix never considered it necessary to hide his inclinations, this connection became known to everyone at court. Felix's lover, Grand Duke Dmitry, was a favorite of the Tsar and Tsaritsa; he even lived in their palace and was considered a member of the family. When Nikolai and Alexandra Fedorovna found out what was happening between him and Felix, Dmitry was forbidden to see the seducer. Special agents were instructed to openly monitor Felix and thereby restrain him. For some time their efforts were crowned with success, and the young people did not meet. However, Dmitry soon rented a house in St. Petersburg, and Felix settled with him. The scandal went beyond the court and brought a lot of grief to the Romanovs. But the lovers were not at all embarrassed. Dmitry said he was happy. Felix made it clear to everyone that he was only doing a favor to the Grand Duke. And in this, it seems, he saw a special pleasure. Perhaps he loved Dmitry for some time. But, having received what he wanted, Felix could not help but torment his beloved, who had turned into a victim. And then one day, driven to despair by jealousy, Dmitry tried to commit suicide. Returning late in the evening, Felix found him lifeless on the floor. Fortunately, Dmitry was rescued...

Felix called family life with Irina Alexandrovna "diet". The experience of vicious passion never left him. (At the same time, I won’t deny that Felix loves his wife and still lives with her. Although who looked into their bedroom?) Relations with Dmitry, now renewed, then faded, did not attract Felix too much. With the complete submission of Dmitry for Felix, the sharpness, and therefore the attractiveness of the connection, disappeared."

From the book "Matryona Rasputin. Rasputin"

Grand Duke Dmitry Pavlovich

Prince Felix Yusupov

From Wikipedia: " After Felix Yusupov published his memoirs detailing her father's murder, Maria (Matryona) sued Yusupov and Grand Duke Dmitry Pavlovich in a Paris court for $800,000 in damages. She denounced them as murderers, stating: "any decent person is disgusted by the brutal murder of Rasputin." The claim was rejected. A French court ruled that it had no jurisdiction over a political assassination that took place in Russia."

Here is a continuation of the theme of homosexuality in the Romanov family. Just small touches to the biography of both, written by a contemporary of these people.

It should be noted right away that the frequent mention of one of the most striking figures of pre-revolutionary Russia - Felix Feliksovich, Prince Sumarokov-Elston (such is his full name) as a Grand Duke is not entirely correct. Despite the fact that his wife Irina Aleksandrovna was the great-granddaughter of Emperor Nicholas I, he himself had no blood relationship with the reigning family. The Grand Dukes, according to the Code of 1885, were considered only the sons and grandsons of the emperor. Thus, the expression "Grand Duke Felix Yusupov" is rather a cliche established in the Soviet era than a real reflection of reality.

Young minion of fate

Prince Felix Yusupov, whose biography formed the basis of this article, was born on March 11, 1887 in St. Petersburg. His mother, Princess Zinaida Nikolaevna, was the last heiress of the richest Yusupov family, originating from the Nogai ruler Yusuf-Murza, who transferred to the service of Ivan the Terrible in the 16th century. F. Yusupov's father was Count Felix Feliksovich Sumarokov-Elston, a prominent military leader and statesman of his time.

The young Prince Felix Yusupov received an excellent education, first graduating from the private Gurevich Gymnasium, one of the most prestigious educational institutions in St. Petersburg, and then in the period 1909-1912, he studied at Oxford University. A year before leaving for England, he remained the only heir to the huge fortune of the Yusupov family. This happened after his elder and beloved brother Nikolai was killed as a result of a duel with the Livonian nobleman Arvid Manteuffel, whose wife's lover he was.

Prince's hobbies

His passion, which was shared by his brother Nikolai, was the theater. In his memoirs, Prince Yusupov (Felix) devotes much space to reminiscing about the pleasure with which he participated in the performances staged on their home stage. The range of images he created was extremely large - from a number of female roles traditionally performed by men, to Cardinal Richelieu and characters like him. These performances were, of course, amateur, but professionals could envy the talent of the prince.

It is known that in his younger years, Prince Yusupov (Felix), like many representatives of the "golden youth", showed a tendency to somewhat outrageous behavior, deliberately deviating from generally accepted social norms and provoking an aura of scandalous fame around his name. Separate episodes of his personal life of that period, as well as a passion for female roles, gave rise to rumors in society about his supposedly non-traditional sexual orientation. However, they soon faded away.

Yusupov's marriage

In February 1914, an important event took place in his fate - Felix Yusupov (a photo of those years is presented in the article) married the princess of imperial blood, Irina Alexandrovna Romanova. Since the bride was the niece of Nicholas II, the daughter of Grand Duchess Xenia Alexandrovna and her husband, Grand Duke Alexander Mikhailovich, the highest permission was required for marriage. A year later, their daughter was born, named Irina. Her godparents were personally Tsar Nicholas II and his wife, Empress Alexandra Feodorovna.

The Yusupov family during the First World War

The world slaughter that began soon found the newlyweds in Germany, which was one of the stages of their honeymoon. Being in the very heart of the state at war with the Russian Empire, the Yusupovs found themselves in the position of prisoners of war, whose departure was prohibited on the basis of the order of Kaiser Wilhelm II. Only after lengthy negotiations, in which the mediation of the Spanish ambassador played an important role, did they finally manage to leave for neutral Denmark, and then return to Petrograd through Finland.

Felix Yusupov did not take part in hostilities, since, being the only son in the family, he was released from the army. Nevertheless, he did not remain aloof from the events and organized military hospitals, one of which was located in the house owned by his mother on Liteiny Prospekt (now Liteiny Prospekt 42). In parallel with this, in the period 1915-1916. the prince graduated from the annual courses of officers in the Petrograd Corps of Pages.

Murder of Rasputin

The name of Felix Yusupov is widely known today, largely due to his participation in the murder of the favorite of the royal family, Grigory Rasputin. It is known that on December 30, 1916, Felix Yusupov and Dmitry Pavlovich Romanov (Grand Duke and member of the reigning House), as well as State Duma deputy V.M. Purishkevich, having lured Rasputin into the Yusupov family's palace on the embankment of the Moika River in Petrograd, committed a murder.

Felix Yusupov, whose memoirs contain a description of this event, explained his actions with a deep conviction that only the physical elimination of this person, who enjoyed unlimited influence on the sovereign and his wife, could stop the flow of evil emanating from him. Despite the fact that his involvement in the murder was quite obvious, Yusupov was not arrested, but only sent out of sight to his father's estate, Rakitnoye, located in the Belgorod region.

Under other circumstances, the murderers of Rasputin could expect a more severe punishment, up to the death penalty. But since Grand Duke Dmitry Pavlovich was among the participants in the assassination, the matter was put on the brakes, sending Purishkevich to the front, and Romanov as ambassador to Persia.

Departure for emigration

After the overthrow of the tsar and the coming to power of the Bolsheviks, the fate of one of the richest families in Russia came to a radical turning point. From Petrograd, which was seething like a cauldron, Felix Yusupov with his wife, daughter and parents first moved to the Crimea, and from there, on board the British battleship Marlborough, sailed to Malta. The next stage of their journey was London, where the fugitives manage to sell, miraculously taken out of Russia, two paintings by Rembrandt, as well as part of the family jewels.

The money raised gave the Yusupovs the opportunity to move to Paris, where at that time many Russian emigrants settled, familiar to them from previous meetings in high-society salons. The vast majority of these people left Russia, leaving all their wealth to the mercy of fate, and being abroad, they had no means of subsistence.

Living in the house he bought on Pierre Guerin Street, the Yusupovs made every effort to help their compatriots who were in trouble - they let them stay free of charge and lent them, without any hope of getting their money back. Meanwhile, the proceeds from the sale of the exported valuables were running out, and their own financial situation was causing more and more anxiety.

Creating a fashion house

In the twenties, in order to somehow solve financial problems, the Yusupovs opened their own fashion house in Paris, which was called IRFE, which was derived from the first letters of their names. It is no coincidence that the wife of Felix Yusupov, Irina, is mentioned first in the title. The fact is that it was she who owned the main role in the family business. Possessing impeccable taste and sense of fashion, she created models of women's clothing that enjoyed constant success.

The innovation she proposed was a sporty style in casual clothes. At first, success exceeded all expectations, and the financial situation of the family was strengthened. It is curious to note that in the company they created, not only as models, but also as ordinary seamstresses, ladies who belonged to the most famous aristocratic families of Russia worked. For France, this was a unique phenomenon in its own way, and served as additional advertising.

The collapse of the enterprise followed in the late twenties, and its cause was the Great Depression that broke out in America. Since the production of the model house went overseas, with the onset of the economic crisis there, the couple lost all their customers. It was not possible to make up for the losses by selling the models they developed in Europe. An important role in the ruin of the company was played by the head of the family, Felix Yusupov, who was accustomed to luxury from childhood and was unable to limit his needs according to the circumstances. As a result, the initially successful fashion house IRFE went bankrupt.

Litigation with Hollywood movie giant

It was possible to somewhat improve the financial situation only after Yusupov managed to win a lawsuit filed by him against the American film company Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. The fact is that in 1932 the film “Rasputin and the Empress” shot by her appeared on the screens of the world, in which Felix’s wife was presented as one of the mistresses of the elder Grigory.

Despite the apparent hopelessness of the case, Yusupov managed to prove in court the groundlessness of such allegations, and received £ 25,000 from the Hollywood movie giant as compensation, which was a very significant amount. However, this time the same story repeated itself - the ineradicable habit of the prince to spend money, not counting it, very quickly nullified this temporary financial success.

Yusupov's literary work

Some income was brought to the family by two books by Felix Yusupov, written by him in exile and published at that time in a small circulation, due to the fact that the circle of readers was limited to compatriots who, like him, found themselves in a foreign land. Trying to sell them in the Soviet Union, for obvious reasons, was impossible. These works - "The End of Rasputin" (1927) and "Memoirs" (1953), written in a lively and vivid language, represent the author's memoirs relating to different periods of his life. A significant place in them is given to his complicity in the murder of Grigory Rasputin.

The end of the Yusupov family

Prince Felix Yusupov - the last heir to the ancient and one of the richest Russian aristocratic families, despite all the hardships that befell him, lived long life. He died on September 27, 1967 at the age of 80 and was buried in Paris at the Russian cemetery of Sainte-Genevieve-des-Bois. His ashes rested in the same grave with his mother, Zinaida Nikolaevna Yusupova, who also ended her earthly journey in a foreign land, but in 1939. Irina Alexandrovna - Yusupov's wife - survived her husband by only three years. Felix's father, Count Sumarokov-Elston, broke up with his family back in Malta and preferred to go to Italy. There he died in 1928.

An absolutely incredible story that happened on Pierre Guerin street is associated with the death of the prince. The fact is that the house he once acquired, which had stood by that time for many decades, the next day after his death, suddenly fell through the ground in the literal sense of the word. And although later a completely rational explanation was found for what happened, related to soil corrosion, it served as a pretext for many superstitious speculations.

Descendants of a glorious family

Among the now living descendants of Prince Yusupov, one can name his granddaughter - Xenia Nikolaevna Sfiris, born from the marriage of his daughter Irina Feliksovna with Count Nikolai Dmitrievich Sheremetev, as well as her two daughters - Marilia and Jasmine-Xenia. Since Ksenia Nikolaevna, by her mother, belongs to the monarchical family that once ruled in Russia, today she is part of the Association of Members of the Romanov Family society.