Russian royal Leonid Kulikovsky buried in Darwin in Paspaley family burial ground |
Leonid Gurevich Kulikovsky was the great grandson of Tsar Alexander III, who reigned in Russia in the 1800s.
He died a pauper in September, under 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 made their fortune in pearling, approached the Russian representative in the Northern Territory, Simon Andropov.
They offered to bury Mr Kulikovsky in their private family burial ground.
Mr Andropov said it was fitting that Mr Kulikovsky was buried in a Greek cemetery.
"It's nice 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's just nice that his grandson is now buried in a Greek plot in Darwin," Mr Andropov said.
Russian royals may visit NT
Mr Andropov said members of the royal family would like to visit his grave.
"The grand duchess has expressed a wish to come and see Darwin," Mr Andropov said.
"She expressed that wish through father Michael, who did [Mr Kulikovsky's] service at the Serbian Church.
She's very grand and she's got quite an entourage, so hopefully she might come out.
"His grave may become a tourist spot."
Mr Kulikovsky completed his education in Denmark before 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 found dead, having suffered a heart attack, Mr Andropov said.
Police confirmed he died on September 27.
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