Alexei, the long-awaited heir to the Russian throne, was born on 12 August 1904 (NS) at Peterhof, much to the great joy of Nicholas and Alexandra. The empire rejoiced with a 301 cannon salute at the birth of the heir to the throne. His clear blue eyes and fair curls made him a remarkably beautiful child. The unfortunate child inherited hemophelia from his mother, making simple bumps and bruises dangerous, if not deadly. He had a body guard with him at all times to help prevent accidents from endangering his precious life.
Alexei was an unspoiled, kind child who charmed everyone who met him.
Despite the deadly disease, Alexei lived through childhood which is considered the most dangerous time in the life of a hemopheliac. He did suffer much for one so young. Internal bleeding is very painful as the blood swells below the skin. Alexei was not given pain medication for fear he would become addicted. Once, in a particularly dreadful hemorrhage, he told his mother that he welcomed death. Strangely, Alexei's hemorrhages were stopped several times (in front of the Imperial Family), from the prayers of a starets named Rasputin after many of the doctors failed to improve the boy's health.
Alexei's body was missing from the mass grave found in the early 1990's. It is suggested that he survived the massacre in the basement that July night in 1918. It would not be likely, however, due to the hemophelia. Alexei, being a bleeder, could not of escaped the damage his body sustained in the hail of gunfire. It is more likely that the murderers, to hide their crime, buried his body apart from the others.