Romanov, 74, collapsed while speaking to a group of journalists from Spanish language publications, moments after insisting that the monarchy would soon be restored in Russia, and died three hours later in a coma at a nearby hospital. The grand duke was the'son of Prince Kirill Romanov, first cousin of the last tsar, Nikolai II.
Romanov was born Aug. 30, 1917 in Finland and settled in 1927 in France. He never set foot in Russia until the end of last year, when he travelled to St. Petersburg at the invitation of mayor Anatoly Sobchak.
During his visit, he told journalists that he did not aspire to become tsar of Russia, but that He was "ready to do all that I can for my country".
He had tentatively planned a second trip to Russia in May. He is survived by a daughter, Maria, and 11-year-old grandson, Georgy.
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