What Happens at the End of The Empresses?

Little Elizabeth thought her future was predestined: she was to marry Louis XV and become the Queen of France – that was the promise given to her by her father, Emperor of Russia Peter the Great. When Peter dies in 1725 without naming a successor, an era of palace coups and power struggles begins in Russia. For some tumultuous years it remains to be seen whether the young Russian Empire and its new capital St. Petersburg would stand, and what future lies in store for the country of Russia. Peter's widow, Catherine I, becomes Empress - the first woman to rule Imperial Russia. She wishes to fulfil the promise her late husband had given to their daughter, but fails. Young Louis XV refuses to marry Elizabeth after learning that she was born before her parents were officially married. That, in his eyes, made her illegitimate.

Andrey Kravchuk's narrative builds toward a resolution centered on Yulia Peresild's journey. When Peter dies in 1725 without naming a successor, an era of palace coups and power struggles begins in Russia.

As part of the История России, the ending carries additional weight for fans following the franchise.

How Does Yulia Peresild's Story End?

• Yulia Peresild: Yulia Peresild's storyline wraps up in the final act, though some viewers have found the resolution more ambiguous than expected.
• Ivan Kolesnikov: Ivan Kolesnikov's role in the climax proves pivotal to how the central conflict resolves.
• Igor Gordin: Igor Gordin's character undergoes a significant shift in the final act.

Is The Empresses Based on a True Story?

Yes — The Empresses draws from real events. The ending reflects documented outcomes, though Andrey Kravchuk has taken creative liberties in dramatizing specific scenes for cinematic impact.

What Does the Ending of The Empresses Mean?

The ending of The Empresses brings the narrative to a close, though viewer reception has been mixed. The resolution of Yulia Peresild's story may not satisfy all audiences.