Such marriages had been altogether banned, rather than deemed morganatic, by Alexander III s " ukase " # 5868 on 23 March 1889 . But " ukase " # 35731 / 1489, issued on 11 August 1911, amended the 1889 ban with the words, " Henceforth no grand duke or grand duchess may contract a marriage with a person not possessing corresponding rank, that is, not belonging to a Royal or Ruling house ."