Being Peter III’s wife couldn’t have been easy. According to Catherine’s accounts, he was an idiot and a drunk who loved brutal practical jokes and was only interested in playing soldier.

Loveless since their wedding day, the marriage between Catherine the Great & Peter III was torn apart by a coup that saw Catherine take the throne. Peter’s first mistake was alienating many of Russia’s powerful groups – the very same groups that Catherine intentionally formed bonds with. She also got cosy with Russian nobility and formed close ties with the Church.

So, when Catherine learned that a close ally of hers had been arrested, she didn’t hesitate to take action. With the support of the military behind her, she had the Russian church crown her as the sole ruler of Russia.