Then in 1991, the remains of the Romanov family were found and exhumed in
Siberia. Portions of skeletons were found and the remains were identified as the
Tsarina three of her female children using mitochondrial DNA. Mitochondrial DNA
is inherited solely from one’s mother. Once DNA was extracted from the
skeletons, it was compared to that of the most recent maternal relative, Prince
Philip of England; and as all four DNA samples matched that of the prince, it
was confirmed that the nine skeletons that had been found included those of the
Tsarina and three of her female children. Similar methods were used to confirm
the identities of the other skeletons including that of Tsar Nicholas using
mitochondrial DNA from James, Duke of Fife. However, it was concluded that the
bodies of Princess Anastasia and Prince Alexei had not been found.