House of Holstein-Gottorp-Romanov

House Holstein-Gottorp-Romanov has been the ruling house of Russia since 1762 after the death of Elizabeth I and Peter III's accession to the Russian throne.

Rise to Power
The House of Holstein-Gottorp-Romanov was created when Grand Duchess Anna Petrovna married the Duke of Holstein-Gottorp. The house was created as a cadet house to the ruling parent house of Romanov. Anna and the Duke of Holstein-Gottorp would have one child together, Carl-Peter Ulrich (later Peter III) who would eventually continue the Holstein-Gottorp-Romanov line in Russia. Carl-Peter was brought to Russia from Sweden by his aunt, Empress Elizabeth, who made him convert to Orthodoxy and renounce his claim to the Swedish throne. Peter's sanity was always questionable at the court of Elizabeth and there was much speculation on his mental stability and what he might do next. Peter married Princess Sophie Frederika, a German rincess, with whom he would have one son, Paul Petrovich. In Russia, Sophie would take a new name, Catherine. Catherine would go down in history as Catherine the Great, after she deposed her husband and ruled as Empress of Russia. Many expected Catherine to hand over power to Paul when he came of age, but she never did. Instead he would have to wait for 30 years.

The House today
The House of Holstein-Gottorp-Romanov is still the ruling House of the Russian Empire. The house head is currently Alexander II of Russia, son of Nicholas I of Russia. The house is a thriving dynasty and holds many titles in it's position. Including Emperor of Russia and Duke of Holstein.