What became of Catherines third son, Alexsei?
When the Empress Elizabeth died at Christmas, 1761, Catherine was in her sixth month with Gregory Orlov’s child. He was born in secrecy on April 11, 1762 in a part of the Palace away from the mainstream of the activities. Her marriage to Peter had of course completely broken down by then and he was flaunting his mistress for all to see. Her chamberlain Vasilii Shkurin and his wife took the child away to their home in a beaver skin ( a bobyor ) He was two months old when Catherine came to the throne. He was returned to the Palace and enjoyed a normal childhood with both Catherine and Gregory in parental roles. She bestowed noble rank on the foster parents. Orlov used the child in a way, trying to push Catherine towards marriage. She thought long and hard about it and took Panin’s advice who told her that a Madame Orlov would never be allowed to rule. She did not dare to marry Gregory because Gregory’s brother Alexis was implicated in the demise of Peter. When Alexsei Gregorevich was a t
