Who is the heir to the throne of Romania?
Romania’s monarchy was abolished in 1947. Margareta, the eldest daughter of the late King Michael I, now leads the Romanian royal family in a symbolic and ceremonial role, preserving Romania’s royal heritage without any political significance. Her heir presumptive is Princess Elena.
What happened to the royal family of Romania?
The Romanian royal family lost power in 1947 when King Michael I was forced to abdicate by the communist government, ending the monarchy. The royal family went into exile and Romania became a republic. Since then, the royal family has returned to Romania in a symbolic role.
Where did the Romanian royal family come from?
The Romanian royal family originally came from the Princely House of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen in Germany.
When did the Romanian monarchy start?
The Romanian monarchy started in 1866 when Carol I of the House of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen was invited to rule the country.
Why did the King of Romania abdicate?
The King of Romania was forced to abdicate due to pressure from the communist government backed by the Soviet Union, which had significant influence in Romania after World War II.
How did Romania become a monarchy?
Romania became a monarchy through a decision by its political leaders in 1866. After a period of instability, they wanted a foreign prince to bring unity and gain international recognition.
Table of Contents
Historical Background
The Romanian royal family started with the unification of Wallachia and Moldavia in 1859, which laid the groundwork for the modern Romanian state.[1] This unification was a major step toward building a national identity driven by a strong desire for independence and political stability.
Alexandru Ioan Cuza was elected as the first ruler of the unified Romanian state in 1859, holding the title of Domnitor (Prince), a position created specifically for this union.
His reign established a centralized government but faced significant challenges, including opposition to his sweeping land and political reforms, ultimately leading to his forced abdication in 1866 under pressure from both domestic elites and foreign interests.
After Cuza’s departure, Romania looked to strengthen its monarchy by inviting a foreign prince to take the throne. They turned to a member of the Hohenzollern family from Germany, Prince Karl of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen, who had ties to European royalty and could bring political prestige and international support to Romania.
By 1866, Karl became Domnitor, and in 1881, Romania officially became a kingdom when Karl of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen was crowned King Carol I.
Major Dynasties
Between 1881 and 1947, two major dynasties ruled and shaped Romania’s monarchy: the House of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen and the contemporary House of Romania.
House of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen
The House of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen introduced to Romania a modern, European-style government with a centralized administration and legal reforms.
This shift spurred modernization through infrastructure projects, such as railways, major road networks, and bridges, and the expansion of Constanța Port into a vital trade hub.
Culturally, Romania adopted French architectural styles, legal systems, and educational reforms, while German engineering advanced industrial development and urban planning.
The succession provisions of the Romanian crown were heavily influenced by other European monarchies, including specific rules, such as Salic law, which excluded female heirs from the line of succession.
King Carol I (1866–1914)
King Carol I was a vital figure in establishing the modern Romanian state. He took the throne in 1866 and worked tirelessly to modernize Romania, introducing reforms to the legal and educational systems.
He strengthened the country’s economy and developed infrastructure by constructing extensive railways, such as the Bucharest-Giurgiu railway (the first railway in Romania), modernizing ports like Constanța, and initiating urban development projects, as well as expanding the military.
It was under Carol’s leadership that Romania became an independent kingdom in 1881, breaking away from the influence of the Ottoman Empire, which had exercised control over parts of Eastern Europe since 1541.
King Ferdinand I (1914–1927)
King Ferdinand I took the throne at a critical time in history, right before World War I. Despite his ties to Germany through the Hohenzollern family’s heritage, Ferdinand made the bold decision to join the Allies during the war, aligning with the national interest of expanding Romania’s territory.
Ferdinand’s decisive alliances ultimately led to Romania’s crucial territorial gains after the war, including regions like Transylvania (yes that’s a real place), Bukovina, and Bessarabia. The addition of these newly incorporated regions nearly doubled the country’s size.
Ferdinand’s most notable accomplishment is the unification of these new Romanian lands, which was formalized in 1920 with the Treaty of Trianon.[2] This expansion led to the creation of what was called “Greater Romania.” His other notable accomplishments included a new constitution, which was approved in 1923 and expanded democratic rights. He solidified the monarchy’s role as a stabilizing and guiding force in Romania’s government.
In 1893, Ferdinand married Marie of Edinburgh, a member of the British royal family. Through her father, she was the granddaughter of Queen Victoria; by her mother, she was the granddaughter of Tsar Alexander II. Besides being immensely popular with the Romanian people, Marie’s familial ties aided Romania’s role on the world stage.
Queen Marie of Romania
A member of the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, Marie of Edinburgh was a notable figure in the Romanian royal family following her marriage to Ferdinand I of Romania in 1893. She was known for her strong personality and influence in Romanian politics. In her later life, Marie pursued a career in writing; she published works that celebrated Romanian culture, including her memoir The Story of My Life, the collection of fairy tales The Queen’s Christmas, and Ilderim.
During World War I, Marie publicly advocated for Romania’s political and territorial interests at international negotiations, such as the Paris Peace Conference, a role granted to her due to her immense popularity, diplomatic skill, and trusted position as both a representative of Romania and a mediator between her British and Russian royal lineage.[3]
House of Romania
The Romanian royal family, originally part of the Hohenzollern dynasty, officially transitioned to the “House of Romania” in 2011 over tense relations with distant German Hohenzollern relatives and a handful of lawsuits.[5]
It can also be argued that the House of Romania was established in 1921 when King Ferdinand I renounced the family’s ties to the Hohenzollern lineage to create a distinct Romanian identity—an act that had him struck from the Hohenzollern family record at the behest of Kaiser Wilhelm II.
Ferdinand and his descendants continued to identify as members of the House of Hohenzollern until Michael I of Romania’s public, and official, separation from the German noble family in 2011.
King Carol II
King Carol II of Romania was the eldest son of Ferdinand I and Marie of Edinburgh. He was the husband of Princess Elena of Greece and Denmark and the heir presumptive to the Romanian Crown until he absconded with his mistress, Magda Lupescu in 1925.
During his time as heir, Carol II was shrouded in scandal surrounding his love life and personal affairs. He had an illegitimate son from an unlawful marriage to a Romanian noblewoman in 1920 and quickly proposed to Princess Elena after first meeting her in 1921.
It would be safe to say that Carol was somewhat impulsive, reckless, and a bit of a playboy.
Carol frequently defied Romania’s leading political party and regency council, the National Liberal Party, at every turn. He would also publicly decry their influence over previous Hohenzollern kings. To retaliate against the aristocracy, Carol abandoned his right to succession in 1925 in favor of his young son, Michael, and fled to Paris to live a commoner’s life with his mistress, Magda.
Things got shaken up in 1927 when Ferdinand died and Michael became king. The Prime Minister also died that year and elections took place. In the 1928 elections, the NLP was weak and a coup d’état was staged by the victorious National Peasant Party. The NPP rallied to have Carol return as the rightful king, which he gladly did. Upon his return, Michael was reduced to Crown Prince, Carol was crowned King of Romania, and he built up a royal dictatorship in Romania with himself at the helm.
Helen of Romania (née Princess Elena of Greece and Denmark)
Princess Elena of Greece and Denmark married Crown Prince Carol II in 1921, after which she formally became known as Helen of Romania. However, their marriage hit rocky times when Carol II renounced his rights to the Romanian throne in 1925 to be with his mistress, Magda Lupescu.[4] Helen and Carol’s son, Michael (Mihai), became King of Romania after the death of his grandfather, Ferdinand I of Romania, in 1927.
Helen dedicated herself to Michael’s education and moral guidance as the Queen Mother of Romania. When Carol II returned to the throne in 1930, he reclaimed his rights—after abdicating five years earlier and leveraging political instability to secure his position. Michael, then ten years old, was reduced to Crown Prince, and Helen was all but estranged from them both. After Helen and Carol divorced in 1928, Helen held little more than a ceremonial role in the Romanian royal family.
Princess Margareta of Romania
Princess Margareta, the eldest daughter of King Michael I and granddaughter of Carol II of Romania, is the current head of the royal house of Romania. In her solely ceremonial role as the Custodian of the Crown of Romania, she preserves the family’s legacy and its involvement in Romanian society.
Even though Salic law originally excluded female succession, in 2007, King Michael I issued a declaration naming her as the heir presumptive, but this was not accompanied by any formal law enacted to change the succession rules, as the monarchy no longer holds constitutional power in Romania.
Margareta has been actively involved in various charitable activities and represents the royal family at both national and international events. She lives at Elisabeta Palace in Bucharest, the capital of Romania, where she hosts events and promotes cultural and humanitarian initiatives. Despite the monarchy’s defunct status, Margareta works to keep the royal traditions alive, emphasizing unity and the values of the Romanian Crown.[6]
Prince Radu of Romania
Prince Radu is Princess Margareta’s husband and a prominent member of the royal family of Romania. He was granted the title Prince of Romania after his marriage, and although he does not have a direct claim to the title, he has embraced his role within the royal family.
Prince Radu has a background in the military and theater, which brings a unique blend of skills to his work with various cultural and diplomatic initiatives.[7] He often represents Romania abroad, working to strengthen international relationships and promote Romanian culture on the global stage.
In addition to his diplomatic efforts, Prince Radu is also involved in educational and youth projects in Romania, focusing on leadership and personal development. He supports many of the same charitable causes as Princess Margareta, advocating for the country’s social and cultural growth.
The Monarchy’s Decline
The end of the Romanian monarchy in 1947 marked a dramatic shift in the country’s political landscape. After World War II, Romania fell under Soviet influence, leading to major changes in its government and society.
With the rise of communism across Eastern Europe, the Romanian royal family faced increasing pressure. The country was transitioning into a communist state and the monarchy no longer fitted into the new political vision.
Under severe pressure from the pro-Soviet government, King Michael I, the last king of Romania, was forced to abdicate on December 30, 1947.[8] His abdication officially ended the Kingdom of Romania. The communists moved quickly to establish a republic.
The new regime forced members of the royal family of Romania into exile, stripping them of their titles and properties. The country then fully transitioned to a communist state, closing the chapter on Romania’s monarchy and beginning a new era of political and social change.
Current Royal Family
The royal house of Romania regained some of its former properties and reestablished a presence in public life following the fall of communism, particularly in cultural and charitable activities. Although the monarchy was not reinstated, the royal family was allowed to return from exile and promote Romania’s heritage and values.
Princess Elena of Romania
Princess Elena, the second daughter of King Michael I, is an important member of the royal family. She has been active in various public and charitable activities, both in Romania and abroad. Elena has two children, Nicholas Medforth-Mills and Elisabeta-Karina Medforth-Mills.
Although Elena does not reside permanently in Romania, she visits frequently to support her sister Margareta in royal duties and participates in events that celebrate Romania’s heritage.
Nicholas Medforth-Mills
Nicholas Medforth-Mills, the grandson of King Michael I, was once considered a prominent figure in the future of the Romanian royal family. In 2010, he was granted the title “Prince of Romania” by King Michael I and was considered a potential successor to the family’s legacy.
However, in 2015, King Michael issued a statement removing Nicholas from the line of succession due to personal circumstances (probably the birth of a child outside marriage).
Princess Sofia of Romania
Princess Sofia, another daughter of King Michael I, is also connected to the royal family’s activities. Though she is not in the line of succession, Sofia has been involved in cultural and artistic initiatives.
Like her sister Elena, she occasionally participates in events in Romania, helping to maintain the family’s presence and promoting Romanian heritage.
Wrapping Up the Romanian Royal Family Tree
Starting with the nineteenth-century unification of Wallachia and Moldavia, the Romanian monarchy lasted from 1866 until Soviet-backed communists compelled the last king to abdicate, snuffing out its royal flame.
Although stripped of all power, the dynasty’s descendants returned to a radically altered homeland, quietly preserving tradition through culture and charity rather than extravagance.
References
- Dr. Jinga, Ion I. January 21, 2021. “Decisive Moments in Romania’s History: ‘The Small Union’ of 24 January 1859.” Permanent Mission of Romania to the United Nations. https://mpnewyork.mae.ro/en/local-news/2308.
- The Romanian Cultural Institute. n.d. “Trianon Forever: The Making of Unified Romania.” Accessed on November 13, 2024. https://www.rciusa.info/post/trianon-forever.
- Mehl, Scott. December 30, 2020. “Magda Lupesco, the Third Wife of King Carol II of Romania.” Unofficial Royalty. https://www.unofficialroyalty.com/magda-lupescu-third-wife-of-king-carol-ii-of-romania/.
- Pădurean, Claudiu. March 31, 2016. “Margareta of Romania, an Influential Lady.” Romania Liebera. Royal Family of Romania. https://www.romaniaregala.ro/atitudini/margareta-of-romania-an-influential-lady/.
- Chiriac, Marian. 2011. “News Romanian King Says Farewell to German Roots.” Balkan Insight, May 12, 2011. https://balkaninsight.com/2011/05/12/romanian-royal-house-has-now-a-national-status/.
- Lupășteanu, Cătălin. September 09, 2024. “Prince Radu Says Youth Model of Energy, Creativity, Hope.” Stiripesurse.ro. https://www.stiripesurse.ro/elisabeta-palace-ploiesti-youth-capital-prince-radu-says-youth-model-of-energy-creativity-hope_3437259.html.
- Tomlinson, Richard. December 06, 2017. “King Michael I of Romania: Deposed Monarch Was a Symbol of Hope for Decades in Exile.” Independent Asia Edition.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/michael-i-of-romania-king-died-obituary-second-world-war-a8093646.html.
- Cope, Rebecca. November 09, 2020. “New Royal Baby for Nicholas of Romania and His Wife Alina Maria.” Tatler.
https://www.tatler.com/article/nicholas-of-romania-and-his-wife-alina-maria-welcomed-their-first-child-maria-alexandra#:~:text=Nicholas%20was%20removed%20from%20the.