King Michael of Romania:

My country needs help - NOW!

Exclusive series in Allers Magazine, Norway about unfamiliar monarchs

Reporter for Allers: Turid Beth Hansen

"I could not be responsible for a blood bath that would have cost so many innocent lives", the king relates solemnly. "The Palace was surrounded by armed communist troops. The telephone lines had been cut. the prime Minister, Petru Groza had arrested a number of my staff. The 1000 young people who were being held as hostages outside the Palace had been taken part in a demonstration against the communist regime. I refused several times to sign the documents. The Prime Minister let me feel his jacket pocket. He had a pistol. I had no choice." King Michael has been protesting against this act of tyranny for nearly 50 years. His strongest argument has been that he was coerced and that those in power in Romania received "help" from a foreign power, namely the Soviet Union. For all these years he has been trying to direct the world‘s attention towards Romania and the tyrannies which have been carried out towards the country’s inhabitants. The years following 1989 have proved that the King has been telling the truth. Today he and his eldest daughter, Margarita, are intensely involved in aid work for the people of Romania.

The homely Villa Serena in Versoix, one of Geneva’s suburbs, has provided the framework for King Michael and Queen Ann’s family life for 40 years. The atmosphere exudes hospitality, lack of snobbishness and warmth. His Majesty as tall, slim and youthful. He looks like someone familiar, but whom? With a mischievous twinkle in his eye, King Michael attempts to give a quick introduction to the lineage and "crossing points" of the European extended royal family. He, himself is descending from the princely German Hohenzollern-Siegmaringen family. His mother, Princess Helen, was born Princess of Greece. His mother-in-law, Princess Margrethe was the sister of Prince Axel of Denmark. He has close family ties with Denmark, Sweden, England, Belgium and Luxembourg. The same is true for the Norwegian royal family. Princess Margarita is the eldest of five sisters: Sophie, Maria, Elena and Irina. Maria and Irina live in the US, while Elena lives in England. So far, the daughters have given the royal couple four grandchildren, who fill the delightful villa with fun and laughter during the holidays.

King Michael was only six years old when he followed his grandfather, King Ferdinand, to the throne. The year was 1927. His uncle, Prince Nicholas, was "senior regent".

"I remember very little from those years," King Michael tells. "There are mostly just "images". I can remember that my mother was there".
(Princess Helen was divorced from King Michael's father, Prince Carol, in 1928).

In 1930, Michael's father, who had been debarred from the throne because of his lifestyle, returned to Romania and declared himself King Carol II. For the next ten years Crown Prince Michael concentrated on his education.

In 1940, General Antonescu forced King Carol II to abdicate. At the age of 19, Michael was declared King for the second time in his life. In practice the country was ruled by the general, who led Romania into the second world war on the side of Hitler. "The situation was extremely difficult. Europe was in flames. I was 19 years old. I was quite unprepared for the extremely difficult situation I took over. Amongst other things, I was uncertain as to which advisor I could trust. Luckily my mother came back. She was a great help to me."

In all secrecy, the young King Michael was negotiating with the Allies. On the 23^rd August 1944 he had General Antonescu arrested. He urged his countrymen to take up the fight against the Nazi rule. For this he received words of praise from the heads of state in USA and England, but He did not receive any concrete help to preserve Romania's independence.

On the 3^rd of January 1948 mother and son had to leave Romania. They settled in neutral Switzerland. From there King Michael fought his lonely battle for his people and his country.

"I tried to draw the attention of world opinion to Romania's problems. To the poverty, destitution and the difficult conditions people were living under. I found that many people thought I was exaggerating. That I was bitter because I had to leave my home and my position. 1989/1990 brought the television pictures that shocked the world. They knew that I had told the truth. I have found sometimes that western democracies have not been sufficiently understanding. this has been better since the fall of the Iron Curtain, but progress is slow. Far too slow for the people who are suffering."

King Michael and his family have personally experienced prejudice against royalty in exile. He prefers not to go into details, but refutes the myths about a hidden fortune and a life of idleness.

"I had to start from square one. Get a job. One of my jobs was a couple of years as a test pilot for an American airplane factory in Switzerland."

At an age of 75, King Michael has now retired from active employment. His mission as a king will remain for the rest of his life, whether or not his is resident in his own country. Therefor he continues to speak to the world public opinion on behalf of Romania.

"Romania needs help from the outside to rebuild itself, and it needs it fast." King Michael points out that Romania has been - is - and will continue to be a part of Europe. "We must try to return to a normal life, but a country laying 50-60 years behind the rest of the Europe cannot be rebuild over night. The economy is in a crisis. Our means of productions are more or less useless. We need modern technology. Our hospitals are in a terrible state. As are our transport systems. Our culture has been neglected. Corruption is flourishing.

The election last autumn gives us hope for a better future. We need brave leaders, who can give their people hope for a better future. Romania has natural resources and riches which can promote growth. The country needs economic first aid, perhaps on similar lines to the Marshall Plan which gave aid to Western European countries after the second world war."

In April 1992, King Michael was allowed to visit Romania for the first - and so far the only - time since 1948. He was acclaimed by his people for three days.

"I was shocked, in a positive way" he chuckles. "Experiencing such a welcome after so many years - I would never have dreamt of if. It was overwhelming," he says and does not deny that the acclamation is the main reason why he has not been allowed to repeat his visit. "However I hope it will happen again. I am glad that my wife and daughters have been allowed to visit Romania and that they have been warmly received each time."

Meanwhile King Michael continues to speak out on behalf of his country to the international community.

King Constantine of Greece has described King Michael and his family as "wonderful people". Just as we are about to leave Villa Serena, Princess Margarita realizes that she has quite forgotten to "serve us any refreshments". While we are waiting for the taxi, we are served refreshments in the kitchen in the company of mother and daughter. An "active" kitchen, where the queen and the crown princess "reign" together.