Bones could reveal fate of last Tsar's children

Bones discovered in the Ural Mountains two months ago could be the remains of Prince Aleksey and Princess Maria. Scientists say early forensic tests suggest they may belong to the children of Russia's last Tsar, Nicholas the Second.

Nicholas the Second and his family were shot by the Bolsheviks after the Russian revolution of 1917.

Their remains were buried in Saint Petersburg a decade ago.

However, there has been speculation that some members of the royal dynasty may have survived.

If the bones are proved to belong to the royal children, this theory will finally be laid to rest.

“Investigators believe this grave is more than 60 years old. As far as our preliminary conclusions go, there's a high chance that the bones belong to Prince Alexei and his elder sister Princess Maria,” said Vladimir Gromov from Regional Forensic Bureau, Ekaterinburg.