Royalty & Nobility · Early 20th Century
Tsar Nicholas II’s Last Words
“What? What?”— Tsar Nicholas II, July 17, 1918
Who Was Tsar Nicholas II?
Nicholas II was the last Emperor of Russia, ruling from 1894 until his forced abdication during the Russian Revolution of 1917.
The Final Moments
Nicholas and his entire family were executed by Bolsheviks in the basement of the Ipatiev House in Yekaterinburg. When the execution order was read, Nicholas turned to his family in confusion.
Are These Words Verified?
Based on Yurovsky's memoirs and testimony of other executioners. Accounts vary but most describe Nicholas's confusion when the execution order was read. No independent witnesses survived.
Sources
- firsthand Testimony of Yakov Yurovsky (chief executioner)
- biography Edvard Radzinsky, The Last Tsar
- archive Soviet archives opened in 1990s
Legacy
The Romanov execution ended 300 years of dynastic rule. The family was canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church in 2000.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were Tsar Nicholas II’s last words?
“What? What?”
How did Tsar Nicholas II die?
Tsar Nicholas II died on July 17, 1918 at the age of 50. Cause of death: Execution by firing squad.
Were Tsar Nicholas II’s last words documented?
Based on Yurovsky's memoirs and testimony of other executioners. Accounts vary but most describe Nicholas's confusion when the execution order was read. No independent witnesses survived.
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