Social Faux Pas of History- Tsarevich Alexei Petrovich

Alexei Petrovich was the oldest son of Peter the Great and presumed heir to the Romanov throne of the Russian Empire. It was no strange fact that Alexei and his father the Tsar had a very strained relationship so it was no surprise that in 1709 while abroad in Europe finishing his education that he did not agree with the arranged marriage his father had set up with the German Princess Charlotte of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel. The Tsar saw it as a good match as the prospective bride was well connected in the ruling families of Europe. Charlotte's sister was married to the current Holy Roman Emperor which controlled much of central Europe(modern day Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Germany). The Czar was interested in using the marriage to start diplomatic relations with the Emperor and hopefully gain an ally against the powerful Ottoman Turks, an enemy both rulers shared. Upon arriving to meet his future bride Alexei was not shy about commenting on how he despised his future wife