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{{Short description|Title of the Romanian monarch from 1881 until 1947}}
{{Infobox former monarchy {{Infobox former monarchy
| royal_title = King | royal_title = King
Line 4: Line 5:
| coatofarms = Kingdom of Romania - Big CoA.svg | coatofarms = Kingdom of Romania - Big CoA.svg
| coatofarmssize = 120px | coatofarmssize = 120px
| coatofarmscaption = ''']''' | coatofarmscaption = ''']'''
| image = Mihai.jpg | image =
| caption = '''Michael I''' | caption =
| first_monarch = ] | first_monarch = ]
| last_monarch = ] | last_monarch = ]
| style = ] | style = ]
| residence = ] | residence = ]
| appointer = ] | appointer = Hereditary
| began = 15 March 1881 | began = 15 March 1881
| ended = 30 December 1947 | ended = 30 December 1947
| pretender = ] | pretender = ], ]
}} }}


The '''King of the Romanians''' (]: ''Regele Românilor''),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://geocities.com/romaniancoins/100lei1939.html |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20091027152147/http://geocities.com/romaniancoins/100lei1939.html |archivedate=October 27, 2009 |title=Gold set 1939 |publisher=Romanian Coins}}</ref> was the sovereign ruler of the ] from 1881 until 1947, when ] was proclaimed a ] following ]'s forced ]. The '''King of Romania''' ({{langx|ro|Regele României}})<ref>{{cite web |url=http://geocities.com/romaniancoins/100lei1939.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091027152147/http://geocities.com/romaniancoins/100lei1939.html |archive-date=October 27, 2009 |title=Gold set 1939 |publisher=Romanian Coins}}</ref> or '''King of the Romanians''' ({{langx|ro|Regele Românilor|link=no}}) was the title of the monarch of the ] from 1881 until 1947, when the ] proclaimed the ] following ]'s forced ].


==History== ==History==
{{See also|History of Romania}} {{See also|History of Romania}}
The state had been internationally recognized as ] since 1862, after the creation of the ], a personal union between ] and ], at that time ]s of the ]. ] became '']'' after the official unification of the two formerly separate states, being elected prince of both states in 1859. He was deposed in 1866 by a broad coalition of the main political parties, after which ] offered the throne to ], who subsequently became the new "Domnitor of Romania" (as Carol I). The state had been internationally recognized as a ] since 1862, after the creation of the ], a personal union between ] and ], at that time ]s of the ]. ] became '']'' (ruling prince) after the official unification of the two formerly separate states, being elected prince of both states in 1859. He was deposed in 1866 by a broad coalition of the main political parties, after which ] offered the throne to Prince Karl of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen who subsequently became the new "Domnitor of Romania" (as ]).


] from the ] was recognized in 1878 by the ]; the principality turned into a ] in 1881, with Carol I becoming King of the Romanians.<ref>{{cite book |url=http://www.archive.org/stream/reminiscencesofk00kremiala |title=Reminiscences of the King of Roumania |first1=Mite |last1=Kremnitz |first2=Sidney |last2=Sidney Whitman |publisher=Harper& Brothers |year=1899}}</ref> ] from the ] was recognized in 1878 by the ]. In an expression of full ], the principality was elevated to a kingdom in 1881, with Carol I becoming King of Romania.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/stream/reminiscencesofk00kremiala |title=Reminiscences of the King of Roumania |first1=Mite |last1=Kremnitz |first2=Sidney |last2=Sidney Whitman |publisher=Harper& Brothers |year=1899}}</ref> Carol I died in 1914, and was succeeded by his nephew, ].


In 1927, ] died, and the country was left in the care of a ] headed by ], during the young reign of ] (who was only six years old at the time), despite ] being his father. Carol II, unlike Carol I, in the beginning had no desire to rule Romania, and was frequently out of the country exploring the rest of Europe with his mistress. Michael's first reign would be short lived at only three years, until his father Carol II came back to contest the title at the behest of a dissatisfied political faction that staged a sudden ']' (in spite of the fact that only a few years earlier he had renounced in official documents, written and signed in front of his own father, all his future claims to the throne of Romania). In 1927, Ferdinand I died, and the country was left in the care of a ] headed by ], during the reign of Ferdinand's young grandson, ] (who was only six years old at the time), his father (]) having renounced his rights to the throne in 1925. Carol II, unlike Carol I, in the beginning had no desire to rule Romania, and was frequently out of the country exploring the rest of Europe with his mistress. Michael's first reign would be short lived at only three years, until his father Carol II came back to contest the title at the behest of a dissatisfied political faction that staged a sudden ']' (in spite of the fact that only a few years earlier he had renounced in official documents, written and signed in front of his own father, all his future claims to the throne of Romania).


After a ten-year rule, Carol II gave up his royal title to be able to leave Romania and marry his mistress ]. The couple ultimately settled in ], and the 'playboy king' was never recalled back to Romania. After a ten-year rule, Carol II was forced to give up his crown in the wake of an outcry over the ], which forced Romania to surrender northern Transylvania to Hungary. After the war, he married his longtime mistress, ]. The couple ultimately settled in Portugal, and the "playboy king" never returned to Romania.


The kingdom of Romania was a ] for most of its existence with the exception of 1938–1944, during the dictatorships of Carol II (1938–1940) and ] (1940–1944). On 23 August 1944, Michael I restored the last democratic royal ]. However, during his second reign (1940–1947), Michael I reigned mostly as an unconstitutional king, without a constitutional oath or a parliamentary vote. Parliament was initially suspended and reinstated only later, in 1946. Michael I was instead ]<ref name="Rules">{{cite web |url=http://www.familiaregala.ro/upload/p0002_FundamentalRules.pdf |title=Fundamental Rules of the Royal Family of Romania |publisher=The Romanian Royal Family website}}</ref> and ] by the ] ], ], in the ] of ], on the day of his second accession, 6 September 1940.<ref>, by Rev. Fr. Dimitrie Bejan – website as of June 9, 2007 {{ro icon}}</ref> However, legally, Michael I could not exercise much authority besides some prerogatives such as being the ] of the ] and designating a plenipotentiary ] '']'' ("Leader").<ref>Ioan Scurtu, Theodora Stănescu-Stanciu, Georgiana Margareta Scurtu, , p. 280. {{ro icon}}</ref> The kingdom of Romania was a ] for most of its existence with the exception of 1938–1944, during the dictatorships of Carol II (1938–1940) and ] (1940–1944). On 23 August 1944, Michael I restored the last democratic royal ]. However, during his second reign (1940–1947), Michael I reigned mostly as an extraconstitutional king, without a parliamentary vote. Parliament was initially suspended and reinstated only later, in 1946. Michael I was ]<ref name="Rules">{{cite web|url=http://www.familiaregala.ro/upload/p0002_FundamentalRules.pdf |title=Fundamental Rules of the Royal Family of Romania |publisher=The Romanian Royal Family website |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921060913/http://www.familiaregala.ro/upload/p0002_FundamentalRules.pdf |archive-date=2013-09-21 }}</ref> and ] by the ] ], ], in the ] of ], on the day of his second accession, 6 September 1940.<ref>, by Rev. Fr. Dimitrie Bejan – website as of June 9, 2007 {{in lang|ro}}</ref> However, legally, Michael I could not exercise much authority besides some prerogatives such as being the ] of the ] and designating a plenipotentiary ] '']'' ("Leader").<ref>Ioan Scurtu, Theodora Stănescu-Stanciu, Georgiana Margareta Scurtu, {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002052125/http://ebooks.unibuc.ro/istorie/istorie1918-1940/13-15.htm |date=2011-10-02 }}, p. 280. {{in lang|ro}}</ref>


On 23 August 1944, with the ] already ], ] the ]-allied ] ] at the urge of the opposition parties, and aligned the country with the ]. Helped by the presence of Soviet forces, ]s gradually took control of the administration. On 30 December 1947 Michael I abdicated and left Romania at the request of the ], while Parliament proclaimed the country a people's republic. On 23 August 1944, with the ] already ], ] the ]-allied ] ] at the urging of the opposition parties and aligned the country with the ]. Helped by the presence of Soviet forces, ]s gradually took control of the administration. On 30 December 1947, King Michael I was forced to sign his abdication. The same day, Parliament proclaimed the country a people's republic. The young former king and former ] Elena were forced to leave Romania on January 3, 1948, in the royal train, at the request of the ]. Royal properties were nationalized later that year.


==Return from exile==
After the ], the former King visited Romania to an enthusiastic reception in the streets of ], however the country preserved its republican character.
{{See also|Monarchism in Romania}}
After the ], the former king visited Romania to an enthusiastic reception in the streets of ]; the ] and properties in Romania were restored. However, the country preserved its ]an character.


The former king was respected and recognized by the Parliament. His grandson<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.euractiv.com/countries/romania-discreet-scent-monarchy-analysis-515175|title=Romania: The discreet tonic of monarchy|date=3 October 2012}}</ref> regularly visits different organisations in Romania. Princess Margareta and her husband bestow royal orders in the name of the former king for selected Romanians.
==Kings of the Romanians (1881–1947)==

The royal house is still popular<ref>{{Cite news |title=Long live the ex-king |url=https://www.economist.com/eastern-approaches/2011/10/25/long-live-the-ex-king |access-date=2024-07-10 |work=The Economist |issn=0013-0613}}</ref> and in 2014 Prime Minister ] promised a referendum on whether or not to reinstate the monarchy if he were re-elected. A square was named in honour of the ex-king in 2012.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-romania-monarchy-idUSBRE89O0OP20121025 |title=Romania government honours ex-king on 91st birthday |last=Patran |first=Iona |date=25 October 2012 |work=Reuters}}</ref> Following the death of the former king in 2017, and the largely positive reaction of the crowds to the royal family at his funeral, Romanian politicians have discussed whether to hold a referendum to restore the monarchy,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.romaniajournal.ro/update-psd-executive-chairman-says-referendum-on-monarchy-is-an-option-tariceanu-debates-are-needed/|title=PSD Executive Chairman says referendum on monarchy is an option. Tariceanu: debates are needed|last=Lazar|first=Valeriu|date=18 December 2017|work=The Romania Journal|access-date=15 May 2018}}</ref> with around half the population (in early 2018) believing monarchy to be a better organisational form than a republic.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.romaniajournal.ro/46pc-of-romanians-say-monarchy-is-better-than-the-republic-prince-charles-tops-preferences/|title=46pc of Romanians say monarchy is better than the republic|last=Lazar|first=Valeriu|date=1 February 2018|work=The Romania Journal|access-date=15 May 2018}}</ref>

==<span id="List of Romanian monarchs"></span>Kings of Romania (1881–1947)==
{{Succession table monarch {{Succession table monarch
| name1 = ''']''' | name1 = ''']'''
| nickname1 = | nickname1 =
| native1 = | native1 = Carol I
| life1 = {{Birth date|1839|4|20|df=y}} – {{Death date and age|1914|10|10|1839|4|20|df=y}} | life1 = {{Birth date|1839|4|20|df=y}} – {{Death date and age|1914|10|10|1839|4|20|df=y}}
| reignstart1 = 15 March 1881 | reignstart1 = 15 March 1881
| reignend1 = 10 October 1914 | reignend1 = 10 October 1914
| notes1 = Prince Karl of ], elected ] of Romania 20 April 1866, proclaimed King in 1881
| notes1 = —
| family1 = ] | family1 = ]
| image1 = Carol I King of Romania.jpg | image1 = Carol I of Romania edited.jpg
| alt1 = Carol I of Romania | alt1 = Carol I of Romania
| name2 = ''']''' | name2 = ''']'''
| nickname2 = | nickname2 =
| native2 = | native2 = Ferdinand
| life2 = {{Birth date|1865|8|24|df=y}} – {{Death date and age|1927|7|20|1865|8|24|df=y}} | life2 = {{Birth date|1865|8|24|df=y}} – {{Death date and age|1927|7|20|1865|8|24|df=y}}
| reignstart2 = 10 October 1914 | reignstart2 = 10 October 1914
Line 57: Line 64:
| image2 = King Ferdinand of Romania.jpg | image2 = King Ferdinand of Romania.jpg
| alt2 = Ferdinand I of Romania | alt2 = Ferdinand I of Romania
| name3 = ''']'''<br/><small>(1st reign)</small><br/><ref>] ruling as ].</ref> | name3 = ''']'''<br/>{{small|(1st reign)}}<br/><ref>] ruling as ].</ref>
| nickname3 = | nickname3 =
| native3 = | native3 = Mihai
| life3 = {{Birth date and age|1921|10|25|df=y}} | life3 = {{Birth date|1921|10|25|df=y}} – {{Death date and age|2017|12|5|1921|10|25|df=y}}
| reignstart3 = 20 July 1927 | reignstart3 = 20 July 1927
| reignend3 = 8 June 1930 | reignend3 = 8 June 1930
| notes3 = Grandson of Ferdinand I | notes3 = Grandson of Ferdinand I
| family3 = ] | family3 = ]
| image3 = Michael I of Romania (1927).jpg | image3 = Mihai.jpg
| alt3 = Michael I of Romania | alt3 = Michael I of Romania
| name4 = ''']''' | name4 = ''']'''
| nickname4 = | nickname4 =
| native4 = | native4 = Carol II
| life4 = {{Birth date|1893|10|15|df=y}} – {{Death date and age|1953|4|4|1893|10|15|df=y}} | life4 = {{Birth date|1893|10|15|df=y}} – {{Death date and age|1953|4|4|1893|10|15|df=y}}
| reignstart4 = 8 June 1930 | reignstart4 = 8 June 1930
Line 75: Line 82:
| notes4 = Son of Ferdinand I | notes4 = Son of Ferdinand I
| family4 = ] | family4 = ]
| image4 = King Carol II of Romania young.jpg | image4 = Carol al II-lea (cropped).jpg
| alt4 = Carol II of Romania | alt4 = Carol II of Romania
| name5 = ''']'''<br/><small>(2nd reign)</small><br/><ref>With ] as ], from 14 September 1940 to 23 August 1944.</ref> | name5 = ''']'''<br/>{{small|(2nd reign)}}<br/><ref>With ] as '']'', from 6 September 1940 to 23 August 1944.</ref>
| nickname5 = | nickname5 =
| native5 = | native5 = Mihai
| life5 = {{Birth date and age|1921|10|25|df=y}} | life5 = {{Birth date|1921|10|25|df=y}} – {{Death date and age|2017|12|5|1921|10|25|df=y}}
| reignstart5 = 6 September 1940 | reignstart5 = 6 September 1940
| reignend5 = 30 December 1947 | reignend5 = 30 December 1947
| notes5 = Son of Carol II | notes5 = Son of Carol II; Restored
| family5 = ] | family5 = ]
| image5 = Mihai.jpg | image5 = Mihai.jpg
| alt5 = Michael I of Romania | alt5 = Michael I of Romania
}}
{{further|Lifespan timeline of Kings of Romania}}

==Queen consorts of Romania==
{{Succession table monarch
| name1 = ''']'''
| nickname1 =
| native1 =
| life1 = {{Birth date|1843|12|29|df=y}} – {{Death date and age|1916|3|02|1843|12|29|df=y}}
| reignstart1 = 15 March 1881
| reignend1 = 10 October 1914
| notes1 = Consort of ]
| family1 = ]
| image1 = Elisabeth_of_Wied.jpg
| alt1 = Elisabeta of Romania
| name2 = ''']'''
| nickname2 =
| native2 =
| life2 = {{Birth date|1875|10|29|df=y}} – {{Death date and age|1938|7|18|1875|10|29|df=y}}
| reignstart2 = 10 October 1914
| reignend2 = 20 July 1927
| notes2 = Consort of ]
| family2 = ]
| image2 = Marie Coronation portrait.jpg
| alt2 = Maria of Romania
}}

===Timeline===
This is a ] lifespan '''timeline of Kings, Heirs and Claimants to the Romanian throne'''. The kings, the heirs and the claimants are listed in chronological order.

{{#tag:timeline|
Define $width = 1100
Define $warning = 1290 # $width - 110
Define $height = 470 # 43x20 + 160

Define $start = 1818
Define $end = 2030
Define $now = 2022

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PlotArea = right:10 left:1 bottom:80 top:60
Period = from:$start till:$end
TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal
Legend = orientation:vertical position:bottom columns:1

Colors =
id:bg value:white
id:lightline value:rgb(0.9, 0.9, 0.9)
id:lighttext value:rgb(0.5, 0.5, 0.5)
id:BEFORE value:rgb(0.81, 0.71, 0.45) Legend: Life_Before_Heirship/Kingship/Pretence
id:PRINCIP value:yellow Legend: Prince_(or_"Domnitor")
id:KING value:rgb(0.31, 0.39, 0.81) Legend: King
id:CLAIM value:rgb(0.81, 0.01, 0.01) Legend: Pretending
id:HEIR value:green Legend: Heir/Heiress_(apparent_or_presumptive)
id:AFTER value:rgb(0.81, 0.73, 0.11) Legend: Life_After_Kingship/Heirship/Pretence
id:REPUBLIC value:rgb(0.80, 0.80, 0.80) Legend: Republic
id:NAME value:rgb(0.15, 0.13, 0.05)
id:ACTINGNAME value:rgb(0.99, 0.00, 0.00)
id:TODAY value:green

BackgroundColors = canvas:bg
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bar:1 width:18
color:BEFORE align:left fontsize:M
from:1820 till:1859 shift:(-100,$dy) textcolor:NAME text:]
color:PRINCIP
from:1859 till:1867
color:CLAIM
from:1867 till:1874

bar:2 width:18
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from:1863 till:1865 shift:(-140,$dy) textcolor:NAME text:]
color:HEIR
from:1865 till:1867
color:AFTER
from:1867 till:1874
color:CLAIM
from:1874 till:1889
color:AFTER
from:1889 till:1891

bar:3 width:18
color:BEFORE align:left fontsize:M
from:1837 till:1866 shift:(-125,$dy) textcolor:NAME text:]
color:HEIR
from:1866 till:1867
color:AFTER
from:1867 till:1906

bar:4 width:18
color:BEFORE align:left fontsize:M
from:1839 till:1867 shift:(-70,$dy) textcolor:NAME text:]
color:PRINCIP
from:1867 till:1881
color:KING
from:1881 till:1915

bar:5 width:18
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from:1835 till:1867 shift:(-105,$dy) textcolor:NAME text:]
color:HEIR
from:1867 till:1880
color:AFTER
from:1880 till:1906

bar:6 width:18
color:BEFORE align:left fontsize:M
from:1864 till:1890 shift:(-167,$dy) textcolor:NAME text:]
color:HEIR
from:1880 till:1887
color:AFTER
from:1887 till:1928

bar:7 width:18
color:BEFORE align:left fontsize:M
from:1865 till:1887 shift:(-80,$dy) textcolor:NAME text:]
color:HEIR
from:1887 till:1915
color:KING
from:1915 till:1928

bar:8 width:18
color:BEFORE align:left fontsize:M
from:1893 till:1915 shift:(-55,$dy) textcolor:NAME text:]
color:HEIR
from:1915 till:1918
color:AFTER
from:1918 till:1920
color:HEIR
from:1920 till:1926
color:AFTER
from:1926 till:1930
color:KING
from:1930 till:1941
color:AFTER
from:1941 till:1948
color:CLAIM
from:1948 till:1953

bar:9 width:18
color:BEFORE align:left fontsize:M
from:1903 till:1918 shift:(-125,$dy) textcolor:NAME text:]
color:HEIR
from:1918 till:1920
color:AFTER
from:1920 till:1928
color:HEIR
from:1928 till:1930
color:AFTER
from:1930 till:1942
color:HEIR
from:1942 till:1979

bar:10 width:18
color:BEFORE align:left fontsize:M
from:1921 till:1926 shift:(-115,$dy) textcolor:NAME text:]
color:HEIR
from:1926 till:1928
color:KING
from:1928 till:1930
color:HEIR
from:1930 till:1941
color:KING
from:1941 till:1948
color:CLAIM
from:1948 till:2018

bar:11 width:18
color:BEFORE align:left fontsize:M
from:1891 till:1941 shift:(-127,$dy) textcolor:NAME text:]
color:HEIR
from:1941 till:1942
color:AFTER
from:1942 till:1966

bar:12 width:18
color:BEFORE align:left fontsize:M
from:1924 till:1979 shift:(-140,$dy) textcolor:NAME text:]
color:HEIR
from:1979 till:2008
color:AFTER
from:2008 till:2010

bar:13 width:18
color:BEFORE align:left fontsize:M
from:1948 till:1991 shift:(-110,$dy) textcolor:NAME text:]
color:CLAIM
from:1991 till:$now

bar:14 width:18
color:BEFORE align:left fontsize:M
from:1949 till:2008 shift:(-150,$dy) textcolor:NAME text:]
color:HEIR
from:2008 till:2018
color:CLAIM
from:2018 till:$now

bar:15 width:18
color:BEFORE align:left fontsize:M
from:1951 till:2018 shift:(-170,$dy) textcolor:NAME text:]
color:HEIR
from:2018 till:$now

bar:16 width:19
color:REPUBLIC align:center fontsize:M
from:1948 till:$now shift:(-0,$dy) textcolor:NAME text:Republic

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fontsize:L
textcolor:black
text:"Lifespan of each king, heir and claimant to the Romanian throne"
}} }}


==Royal Standards== ==Royal Standards==
{{See also|List of flags of Romania}} {{See also|List of Romanian flags}}
<center> <gallery class="center">
<gallery>
File:Royal standard of Romania (King, 1881 model).svg|Royal Standard (1881–1922) File:Royal standard of Romania (King, 1881 model).svg|Royal Standard (1881–1922)
File:Royal standard of Romania (King, 1922 model).svg|Royal Standard (1922–1947) File:Royal standard of Romania (King, 1922 model).svg|Royal Standard (1922–1947)
</gallery> </gallery>
</center>


==See also== ==See also==
*] * '']''
*] * ]
*] * ]
*] * ]
*] * ]
*] * ]
*] ** ]


==References== ==References==
{{reflist}} {{reflist}}


{{Heads of State of Romania}} {{Heads of state of Romania}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:King Of Romania}} {{DEFAULTSORT:King Of Romania}}
] ]
] ]
] ]


]
]
] ]
] ]
] ]
]
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]

Latest revision as of 04:49, 7 November 2024

Title of the Romanian monarch from 1881 until 1947
King of the Romanians
Royal Coat of arms since 1922
Details
StyleHis Majesty
First monarchCarol I
Last monarchMichael I
Formation15 March 1881
Abolition30 December 1947
ResidenceRoyal Palace
AppointerHereditary
Pretender(s)Margareta, Paul-Philippe Hohenzollern

The King of Romania (Romanian: Regele României) or King of the Romanians (Romanian: Regele Românilor) was the title of the monarch of the Kingdom of Romania from 1881 until 1947, when the Romanian Workers' Party proclaimed the Romanian People's Republic following Michael I's forced abdication.

History

See also: History of Romania

The state had been internationally recognized as a principality since 1862, after the creation of the United Principalities, a personal union between Moldavia and Wallachia, at that time vassal states of the Ottoman Empire. Alexander I became domnitor (ruling prince) after the official unification of the two formerly separate states, being elected prince of both states in 1859. He was deposed in 1866 by a broad coalition of the main political parties, after which parliament offered the throne to Prince Karl of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen who subsequently became the new "Domnitor of Romania" (as Carol I).

Romania's independence from the Ottoman Empire was recognized in 1878 by the Treaty of Berlin. In an expression of full sovereignty, the principality was elevated to a kingdom in 1881, with Carol I becoming King of Romania. Carol I died in 1914, and was succeeded by his nephew, Ferdinand I.

In 1927, Ferdinand I died, and the country was left in the care of a regency headed by Prince Nicholas of Romania, during the reign of Ferdinand's young grandson, Michael I (who was only six years old at the time), his father (Carol II) having renounced his rights to the throne in 1925. Carol II, unlike Carol I, in the beginning had no desire to rule Romania, and was frequently out of the country exploring the rest of Europe with his mistress. Michael's first reign would be short lived at only three years, until his father Carol II came back to contest the title at the behest of a dissatisfied political faction that staged a sudden 'coup d'état' (in spite of the fact that only a few years earlier he had renounced in official documents, written and signed in front of his own father, all his future claims to the throne of Romania).

After a ten-year rule, Carol II was forced to give up his crown in the wake of an outcry over the Second Vienna Award, which forced Romania to surrender northern Transylvania to Hungary. After the war, he married his longtime mistress, Elena Lupescu. The couple ultimately settled in Portugal, and the "playboy king" never returned to Romania.

The kingdom of Romania was a constitutional monarchy for most of its existence with the exception of 1938–1944, during the dictatorships of Carol II (1938–1940) and Ion Antonescu (1940–1944). On 23 August 1944, Michael I restored the last democratic royal Constitution of 1923. However, during his second reign (1940–1947), Michael I reigned mostly as an extraconstitutional king, without a parliamentary vote. Parliament was initially suspended and reinstated only later, in 1946. Michael I was crowned and anointed by the Orthodox Patriarch, Nicodim Munteanu, in the Patriarchal Cathedral of Bucharest, on the day of his second accession, 6 September 1940. However, legally, Michael I could not exercise much authority besides some prerogatives such as being the Supreme Head of the Army and designating a plenipotentiary prime minister Conducător ("Leader").

On 23 August 1944, with the Soviet Army already deep inside Romania's territory, Michael I deposed the German-allied dictator Ion Antonescu at the urging of the opposition parties and aligned the country with the Allies. Helped by the presence of Soviet forces, communists gradually took control of the administration. On 30 December 1947, King Michael I was forced to sign his abdication. The same day, Parliament proclaimed the country a people's republic. The young former king and former queen mother Elena were forced to leave Romania on January 3, 1948, in the royal train, at the request of the communist-dominated government. Royal properties were nationalized later that year.

Return from exile

See also: Monarchism in Romania

After the Revolution of 1989, the former king visited Romania to an enthusiastic reception in the streets of Bucharest; the royal estates and properties in Romania were restored. However, the country preserved its republican character.

The former king was respected and recognized by the Parliament. His grandson regularly visits different organisations in Romania. Princess Margareta and her husband bestow royal orders in the name of the former king for selected Romanians.

The royal house is still popular and in 2014 Prime Minister Victor Ponta promised a referendum on whether or not to reinstate the monarchy if he were re-elected. A square was named in honour of the ex-king in 2012. Following the death of the former king in 2017, and the largely positive reaction of the crowds to the royal family at his funeral, Romanian politicians have discussed whether to hold a referendum to restore the monarchy, with around half the population (in early 2018) believing monarchy to be a better organisational form than a republic.

Kings of Romania (1881–1947)

NameLifespanReign startReign endNotesFamilyImage
Carol I
  • Carol I
(1839-04-20)20 April 1839 – 10 October 1914(1914-10-10) (aged 75)15 March 188110 October 1914Prince Karl of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen, elected Sovereign Prince of Romania 20 April 1866, proclaimed King in 1881Hohenzollern-SigmaringenCarol I of Romania
Ferdinand I
  • Ferdinand
(1865-08-24)24 August 1865 – 20 July 1927(1927-07-20) (aged 61)10 October 191420 July 1927Nephew of Carol IHohenzollern-SigmaringenFerdinand I of Romania
Michael I
(1st reign)
  • Mihai
(1921-10-25)25 October 1921 – 5 December 2017(2017-12-05) (aged 96)20 July 19278 June 1930Grandson of Ferdinand IHohenzollern-SigmaringenMichael I of Romania
Carol II
  • Carol II
(1893-10-15)15 October 1893 – 4 April 1953(1953-04-04) (aged 59)8 June 19306 September 1940Son of Ferdinand IHohenzollern-SigmaringenCarol II of Romania
Michael I
(2nd reign)
  • Mihai
(1921-10-25)25 October 1921 – 5 December 2017(2017-12-05) (aged 96)6 September 194030 December 1947Son of Carol II; RestoredHohenzollern-SigmaringenMichael I of Romania
Further information: Lifespan timeline of Kings of Romania

Queen consorts of Romania

NameLifespanReign startReign endNotesFamilyImage
Elisabeth(1843-12-29)29 December 1843 – 2 March 1916(1916-03-02) (aged 72)15 March 188110 October 1914Consort of King Carol IWiedElisabeta of Romania
Marie(1875-10-29)29 October 1875 – 18 July 1938(1938-07-18) (aged 62)10 October 191420 July 1927Consort of King FerdinandSaxe-Coburg and GothaMaria of Romania

Timeline

This is a graphical lifespan timeline of Kings, Heirs and Claimants to the Romanian throne. The kings, the heirs and the claimants are listed in chronological order.

Princess Elena of RomaniaMargareta of RomaniaPaul Philippe of RomaniaFriedrich Wilhelm Prinz von HohenzollernFriedrich, Prince of HohenzollernMichael I of RomaniaPrince Nicholas of RomaniaCarol II of RomaniaFerdinand I of RomaniaWilliam, Prince of HohenzollernLeopold, Prince of HohenzollernCarol I of RomaniaPrince Philippe, Count of FlandersAlexandru Al. Ioan CuzaAlexandru Ioan Cuza

Royal Standards

See also: List of Romanian flags
  • Royal Standard (1881–1922) Royal Standard (1881–1922)
  • Royal Standard (1922–1947) Royal Standard (1922–1947)

See also

References

  1. "Gold set 1939". Romanian Coins. Archived from the original on October 27, 2009.
  2. Kremnitz, Mite; Sidney Whitman, Sidney (1899). Reminiscences of the King of Roumania. Harper& Brothers.
  3. "Fundamental Rules of the Royal Family of Romania" (PDF). The Romanian Royal Family website. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-09-21.
  4. "The Joys of Suffering," Volume 2, "Dialogue with a few intellectuals", by Rev. Fr. Dimitrie Bejan – "Orthodox Advices" website as of June 9, 2007 (in Romanian)
  5. Ioan Scurtu, Theodora Stănescu-Stanciu, Georgiana Margareta Scurtu, The History of the Romanians between 1918–1940 (Istoria românilor între anii 1918–1940) Archived 2011-10-02 at the Wayback Machine, p. 280. (in Romanian)
  6. "Romania: The discreet tonic of monarchy". 3 October 2012.
  7. "Long live the ex-king". The Economist. ISSN 0013-0613. Retrieved 2024-07-10.
  8. Patran, Iona (25 October 2012). "Romania government honours ex-king on 91st birthday". Reuters.
  9. Lazar, Valeriu (18 December 2017). "PSD Executive Chairman says referendum on monarchy is an option. Tariceanu: debates are needed". The Romania Journal. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  10. Lazar, Valeriu (1 February 2018). "46pc of Romanians say monarchy is better than the republic". The Romania Journal. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  11. Nicholas ruling as prince regent.
  12. With Ion Antonescu as Conducător, from 6 September 1940 to 23 August 1944.
Heads of state of Romania
United Principalities of Romania
Domnitor of Romania (1862–1881)
1862–1866
Princely Lieutenancy [ro]
1866–1881
Kingdom of Romania
King of Romania (1881–1947)
1881–1914
1914–1927
1927–1930
1930–1940
1940–1947
Romanian People's Republic (1947–65)
Socialist Republic of Romania
(1965–89)
Provisional Presidium of the Republic (1947–1948)
Presidium of the Great National Assembly (1948–1961)
State Council (1961–1974)
President of SR Romania (1974–1989)
Post–1989 Romania
President of Romania (1989–present)
Italics indicate interim officeholders. Bold indicates incumbent/current officeholder.
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