Elizabeth brought her nephew Peter to St Petersburg as a boy, had him received into the Orthodox Church and proclaimed him heir. Russian tutors and an arranged marriage were intended to prepare the next generation of rule. Her choice of the future Catherine II invites the interpretation that she was considering the abilities of both members of the marriage. When Paul was born, Elizabeth took control of his upbringing and sharply restricted Catherine's access to him. Succession planning thus involved direct control of education and family life as well as the formal naming of an heir.
Notable Point · 1:59:08-2:02:38
Elizabeth manages succession through education, marriage and custody
Elizabeth brought her nephew to Russia, arranged his education and marriage, and personally controlled the early upbringing of his son Paul.