In the annals of royal history, few families are as famous as the Romanovs. The final royal family to rule over Russia, the Romanovs presided over a time of great upheaval, until their tragic deaths in 1918. As an episode of The Crown looks back at their 1918 execution, and the family's connection to the British royals, take a look back at some rarely seen photos of the family before their tragic deaths.

Living up to her reputation as the grandmother of Europe, Queen Victoria of England met with her granddaughter Tsarina Alexandra and Alexandra's husband, Tsar Nicholas II, after the couple welcomed their first child, Olga. Victoria's son, the future King Edward VII, joined them.

Two years after the birth of their first daughter, Nicholas and Alexandra welcomed a second, Tatiana.

Rather than being princesses, the Romanov daughters were Grand Duchesses. Here, young Olga and Tatiana pose for a portrait.

Nicholas II and Alexandra pose with their three daughters, Olga, Tatiana, and Maria.

Grand Duchesses Olga, Tatiana, and Maria enjoyed a day out in the Catherine Park in Tsarskoye Selo.

The Romanov family on the royal yacht, the Polar Star.

Though he was the youngest of his siblings, as the only son, Alexei was the heir apparent to the Russian throne. Here, he poses with a miniature horse and buggy.

The Romanov children Maria, Olga, Anastasia, Tatiana, and Alexei posed for a portrait.

Of all of her siblings, Grand Duchess Anastasia would go on to become the most talked about in later years. Rumors that she might have survived the death of her family persisted for decades and several women came forward claiming to be Anastasia, though it was ultimately determined that the duchess died at the same time as the rest of her family.

Throughout his life, Alexei struggled with hemophilia, a life-threatening clotting disorder that became a major preoccupation for both of his parents, who feared not only for their son, but for the future of the Romanov line.

The Romanov siblings in full royal regalia.

Tsar Nichola II with his family: his wife, Tsarina Alexandra, and their children, Maria, Olga, Tatiana, Anastasia, and Alexei.

Alexei in military uniform.

Nicholas II and Alexei looked seaworthy in their naval getups.

Alexei took a spin on a large tricycle.

In 1913, the Romanovs—led by Tsar Nicholas II and Tsarina Alexandra—celebrated the 300th anniversary of the House of Romanov.

A duo of kings. Nicholas II of Russia and George V of England (grandfather of Queen Elizabeth II) were often remarked upon for how much they looked alike—no doubt due to the fact that their mothers were sisters.

The four Romanov daughters—Olga, Tatiana, Maria, and Anastasia.

Olga and one of her friends on the dunes in Crimea. The photo was believed to have been colored by one of the Romanov sisters.

Alexei joined his family for a day by the shore in Crimea.

The royal family taking in the great outdoors in Tsarskoye Selo, where the Catherine Palace is located.

On March 15, 1917, the increasingly unpopular Nicholas II was forced to abdicate and, with his family, was held under guard in Siberia. In July of the following year, the Tsar and his family were executed by revolutionaries.