Changes

A statement accepting Vladimir as head of the House was signed in October 1938 by the five most senior Romanovs.<ref>These were Grand Duke Boris, Grand Duke Andrew, Grand Duke Dmitry, Prince Vsevelod, and Prince Gavriel (5th in line). See Brien Horan, "[https://www.russianlegitimist.org/russian-imperial-succession The Russian Imperial Succession]."</ref> When Vladimir died in 1992, Maria claimed the right to succeed as the only child of the last male Romanov dynast. ''Almanach de Gotha'' has refused to recognize this claim even though no other candidate is genealogically plausible.<ref>''Gotha'' describes Vladimir as, "the last Head of the Imperial House of Russia."  (James, John. ''Almanach de Gotha,'' 2016)</ref>

A statement accepting Vladimir as head of the House was signed in October 1938 by the five most senior Romanovs.<ref>These were Grand Duke Boris, Grand Duke Andrew, Grand Duke Dmitry, Prince Vsevelod, and Prince Gavriel (5th in line). See Brien Horan, "[https://www.russianlegitimist.org/russian-imperial-succession The Russian Imperial Succession]."</ref> When Vladimir died in 1992, Maria claimed the right to succeed as the only child of the last male Romanov dynast. ''Almanach de Gotha'' has refused to recognize this claim even though no other candidate is genealogically plausible.<ref>''Gotha'' describes Vladimir as, "the last Head of the Imperial House of Russia."  (James, John. ''Almanach de Gotha,'' 2016)</ref>

=== Equal marriage dispute ===

== Equal marriage dispute ==

Although nominally about the succession, the failure of the Romanov family to confirm Maria as head of the house is tied to her interpretation of a traditional rule that required a Romanov to marry a partner of equal rank. According to ''The Fundamental Laws of the Russian Empire'' (1906):{{cquote|Children born of a marriage between a person of the Imperial Family and a person not of corresponding dignity, that is not belonging to any royal or sovereign house, have no right of succession to the Throne.<ref>''[https://www.russianlegitimist.org/the-fundamental-laws The Fundamental Laws of the Russian Empire]'' (1906), Article 36.</ref>}}This requirement has proven difficult for exiled royals to fulfill.  

Although nominally about the succession, the failure of the Romanov family to confirm Maria as head of the house is tied to her interpretation of a traditional rule that required a Romanov to marry a partner of equal rank. According to ''The Fundamental Laws of the Russian Empire'' (1906):{{cquote|Children born of a marriage between a person of the Imperial Family and a person not of corresponding dignity, that is not belonging to any royal or sovereign house, have no right of succession to the Throne.<ref>''[https://www.russianlegitimist.org/the-fundamental-laws The Fundamental Laws of the Russian Empire]'' (1906), Article 36.</ref>}}This requirement has proven difficult for exiled royals to fulfill.