Princesse Moustache

Natalya Petrovna Chernysheva

Princess Natalya Petrovna Galitzine, née Chernysheva or Chernyshyova (17 January 1741, St. Petersburg, Russia – 20 December 1837), was a Russian lady in waiting, socialite and noble and Dame of the Order of St. Catherine's first degree. She was the sister of the lady in waiting Princess Darya Petrovna Saltykova, and in 1766 married Prince Vladimir Borisovich Golitsyn. She was known in society as "Princesse Moustache" ("Whiskered Princess") (from fr. Moustache - mustache) or "Fée Moustachine" ("bearded fairy"). She was a prototype of the main heroine of Alexander Pushkin's The Queen of Spades.

Biography

The second daughter of a diplomat, Count Pyotr Grigoryevich Chernyshyov, godson of Peter the Great, and many believed to be for his son, and Catherine Andreevna, daughter of a famous chief of the secret office in Biron, Count Andrei Ivanovich Ushakov. She spend her early life abroad with her father, and upon her return in 1762, she and her sister became known as two of the most learned women in Russia. In 1762, she was appointed maid of honor to Empress Catherine the Great. She was awarded with a gold medal by the empress for her dance in the masquerade of 1766. In 1783, she left for Europe with her family, and until 1789, she participated in the French court life, where she as known for her skillful dance at the balls. She visited London in 1789-90 and then returned to Russia when Catherine, upon the French revolution, summoned all Russians to Russia. She was appointed lady in waiting in 1806.

Along with the successes of the court of Natalya Petrovna zealously engaged in farming. It introduces into their seats when a new culture - potatoes, expanded and equipped with new appliances belonging Golitsyn factory. In 1824 Princess Golitsyn became an honorary member of the Scientific and economic society.

Links

HSH Prince Dimitri Vladimirovitch Galitzine

Sources

• This page is a translation of its Russian equivalent.

Persondata
Name	Chernyshyova, Natalya Petrovna
Alternative names
Short description	Russian noble
Date of birth	17 January 1741
Place of birth	St. Petersburg, Russia
Date of death	20 December 1837
Place of death