1872 - Princess Alix of Hesse and by Rhine was born at New Palace in Darmstadt. She was the 6th child and 4th daughter of Princess Alice, daughter of Queen Victoria, and Louis IV, Grand Duke of Hesse and by Rhine. Her mother gave her the nickname of "Sunny", due to her cheerful disposition. Her British relatives nicknamed her as "Alicky", to distinguish her from her aunt Alexandra who was known within the family as Alix. Losing your mother at the age of 6 years old and watching you clothes and toys being burned (they did this because the Hesse household feared the spread of Diptheria) we can only imagine what it did to the child's mental state. It was said from the moment her mother died 'Sunny' died too. She rarely smiled and we know that her mental state deteriorated. Poor poor Alix.