King Michael I of Romania celebrates his 95th anniversary today, October 25. Wide public events take place in Bucharest and Sinaia to mark the king’s anniversary, while His Majesty will celebrate at his private residence in Switzerland together with two of his daughters, Princess Elena and Princess Sofia.
A gala concert is scheduled today at 6 p.m. at the Romanian Athenaeum. Crown Princess Margareta and Prince Radu will host a new edition of the annual benefit night organized by Princess Margareta of Romania Foundation. The funds raised following the concert will be directed to the Young Talents Programme granting scholarships to young artists in need. The concert is performed by violinist Roman Kim, next to the Margareta Foundation orchestra, conducted by Tiberiu Soare. After the concert, an exhibition of the scholars joining the Young Talents programme will go on display in the lobby of the Athenaeum.
According to the Crown Princess Margareta’s message on the King’s 95th anniversary, Romania’s last sovereign has lived almost one century with the sense of duty, with faith and love for his country.
“As a child, the king reunited the nation’s hopes, represented the State and its institutions. Later on, the King, together with the queen mother Elena, fought a decade of successive bloody dictatorships with dignity and courage. After 1947, King Michael represented the symbol of three virtues: statehood, the Crown and democracy. In the past 27 years, the King taught us by the power of personal example, the principles that he has always believed in: generosity, loyalty and the sense of responsibility,” reads the Crown Princess’ message.
She also urged everybody to remember late Queen Anne, the one who devotedly stand by the King during her entire life. “The love story of my parents went beyond their personal destiny. King Michael and Queen Anne experienced together the story of an exile (…) Let’s show admiration for King Michael and wish him peace and good health!,” Princess Margareta says.
Read about all the events marking the King’s anniversary here.
Romanian President, PM convey greetings messages
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis also conveyed congratulation message to King Michael I, saying the king will always be a symbol for the Romanians, while expressing hope that the Royal Family will still be an identity benchmark for the Romanian people in the future as well.
“On the occasion of your 95th anniversary, I have the great joy of addressing your Majesty my warmest and sincerest wishes of good health. You are and you will always be a symbol for Romanians for the dignity with which you’ve always defended Romania. You proved that you had dedicated your entire life to the nation,” reads the Romanian President’s message.
PM Dacian Ciolos also congratulated King Michael on his anniversary, saying that the destiny of the former sovereign has harmoniously blended with modern Romania’s history and evolution.
“I learnt from His Majesty that democracy and freedom are not earned for good and they have to be defended every day, year by year, generation by generation. I learnt that loyalty and liability are the parameters that are accompanying us. I wish His Majesty King Michael good health and strength, Happy birthday, Your Majesty!,’ reads the premier’s message.