Eagar was appointed nurse to the daughters of Nicholas II in 1898 and remained with them until 1904.
Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna of Russia, an aunt of the grand duchesses, later recalled Eagar's great love of politics. As a toddler,
Grand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna of Russia once escaped from her bath and ran naked up and down the palace corridor while Eagar discussed the
Dreyfus Affair with a friend. "Fortunately, I arrived just at that moment, picked her up and carried her back to Miss Eagar, who was still talking about Dreyfus," recalled
Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna of Russia.
The four Grand Duchessess learned English from Miss Eagar and developed a distinct Irish accent in their pronunciation to such a degree that English tutor
Charles Sydney Gibbes was brought in to "correct" this when the girls were older .
Eagar, who grew fond of all four grand duchesses, wrote in her book that she left the Russian Court for personal reasons. However, it was possible that she was dismissed due to the tense political situation surrounding the
Russo-Japanese War. Great Britain largely sided with
Japan..
OTMA was the affectionate group name used by the daughters of
Tsar Nicholas II and
Empress Alexandra: The Grand Duchesses
Olga (
November 15, 1895 -
July 17, 1918); Tatiana (
June 10, 1897 -
July 17, 1918); Maria (
June 26, 1899 -
July 17, 1918); and
Anastasia (
June 18, 1901 -
July 17, 1918). The girls would sign cards to their parents, relatives, and friends including Miss Eagar with the nickname. It was also used in their
diaries.