By Elliana Lawford
Posted
Photo: Russian royal Leonid Gurevich Kulikovsky has been buried in Darwin. (ABC News: Elliana Lawford)A Russian royal who died alone in the Top Finish town of Katherine has been buried alongside members of the Northern Territory’s richest family members, the Paspaleys.
Leonid Gurevich Kulikovsky was the fantastic grandson of Tsar Alexander III, who reigned in Russia in the 1800s.
Mr Kulikovsky emigrated to Australia in 1967 to discover “greener pastures” and reside “incognito”.
He died a pauper in September, below a tree in Katherine, accompanied only by his faithful dog.
After his death the Paspaleys, themselves immigrants from Greece who fled World War I for Australia and created their fortune in pearling, approached the Russian representative in the Northern Territory, Simon Andropov.
They presented to bury Mr Kulikovsky in their private family burial ground.
Mr Andropov stated it was fitting that Mr Kulikovsky was buried in a Greek cemetery.
“It’s good that he’s gone to a Greek cemetery, because his grandfather escaped from Russia through the Islands of Greece and the Greeks showed them all the courtesy and hospitality, and it really is just good that his grandson is now buried in a Greek plot in Darwin,” Mr Andropov mentioned.
Russian royals may possibly pay a visit to NT
Mr Andropov said members of the royal household would like to pay a visit to his grave.
“The grand duchess has expressed a wish to come and see Darwin,” Mr Andropov stated.
“She expressed that wish via father Michael, who did [Mr Kulikovsky’s] service at the Serbian Church.
She’s really grand and she’s got very an entourage, so hopefully she may come out.
“His grave might turn out to be a tourist spot.”
Mr Kulikovsky completed his education in Denmark ahead of moving to Australia.
Mr Andropov confirmed the royal had worked in Sydney, living “incognito, no-one knew of his royal heritage”, before travelling around Australia on retirement.
Mr Kulikovsky lived in a caravan park in Katherine and was identified dead, having suffered a heart attack, Mr Andropov said.
Police confirmed he died on September 27.
Subjects: death, darwin-0800