King Mihai I of Romania, a son of the House of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen (Catholic branch of the German Imperial Family) has been called by some, "the best head-of-state the country never had". In looking back on his early life, King Mihai seems to have fallen prey to the Chinese curse 'may you live in interesting times'. Those close to the king uniformly say he has consistently held the best interests of his people close to his heart since even his earliest years. For this, his people adored him, as well as for his almost legendary honesty and personal integrity.
The King was born on November 25, 1921 and named Mihai (Michael) after the saintly archangel and in honor of Prince Michael the Brave. His father caused a great deal of problems for his family, and even as a man in reflection, King Mihai has never been able to explain his father's behavior. A council of regency declared the 5-year-old Prince Mihai regent when his father was missing from Bucharest and his grandfather, King Ferdinand, was in declining health. On July 20, 1927 the old monarch died and his grandson became King Mihai I of Romania. Even at that young age he was described as intelligent and serious. He was reigning with a Council of Regency acting on his behalf when his father, Prince Carol, attempted a coup d'etat but was arrested in Britain by Scotland Yard. In 1930 the Peasant Party invited him to come take the throne. He returned to Romania at which time, over some strong objection, his son was 'deposed' and he became King Carol II.
Still, things did not calm down for the Royal Family. Adolf Hitler took territory after territory from the Greater Romania created after World War I. King Carol sided with Germany and after a massive demonstration in 1940 Mihai was again sworn in as King of Romania.
However, the political & military masters in Bucharest intended the 19-year-old king to be only a symbolic figure and gave him orders as if it was he who was their servant. The King of Romania had no idea his nation had invaded the USSR until it was announced on the BBC. The ministers distrusted the young monarch who was flawlessly devoted to his people and his royal duties and who displayed, with his mother, sympathy for the Allies by speaking English constantly. His high morality would not permitt him to go along with Nazi-backed efforts to persecute the Jewish population and thanks to King Mihai, not one Romanian Jew was ever handed over to the Nazis. Finally, King Mihai was able to enlist the support he needed to end the pro-Axis government ruling Romania. He sent peace emmissaries to the Allies (dangerous considering the stance of his government) but was met only with silence. In fact, the Allies had already agreed to turn Romania over to the USSR, in return for Greece, who were claiming Eastern Europe for future conquest.
The Gestapo was aware of some of the king's activities but dismissed him because of his youth. They were unpleasantly surprised when in 1944 the young King successfully led a coup d'etat against the pro-Nazi government. He arrested the former dictator and his collaborationist officials in quick order. He then went on the radio and announced the end of the war against Russia, the Nazi alliance and a return to democracy for Romania. The people went wild with joy at this seemingly miraculous turn of events. The Nazis responded by bombing the Royal Palace but the King had already evacuated. Romania had been saved from dictatorship and from going down with Nazi Germany, by an upright monarch and a few officials who had continued to keep loyalty to king and country first in their hearts. Faithfulness had proven mightier than tyranny.
King Mihai reinstituted the 1923 democratic constitution, signed an armistice in Moscow and moved his country from the Axis to the Allied camp. However, his achievements went unrecognized and unappreciated by the world community. Romanian land was given to Russia and the King had to submit to a Soviet army in his country. Romanian communists were urged from Moscow to rebel and were given Russian support. Force of Red Army troops won many "converts" to the Red camp and King Mihai was forced to appoint Stalin's candidate for head of government. The King left Bucharest in protest and refused to cooperate with the Communist regime that was intent on establishing a pro-Russian dictatorship. The Red Army terrorized the public and saw to it that a pro-communist government was elected to office. Finally, the tyrannical government tired of their ethical monarch and demanded that he abdicate or else 1,000 students would be executed. The king had to agree, and even after the collapse of the USSR, has only recently been given recognition as a former Head of State. He has been urged to run for President but has consistently stayed away from entering politics, though a royal restoration is still hoped for by many Romanians at home & abroad. |
