Monarchies Today - Royalty around the globe: Treated as VIP, Styled 'Her Majesty', living at palace; in a Republic

On Tuesday last week, the Head of Romania's Royal House turned 70! "Her Majesty" Margareta, 'Custodian of the Romanian Crown' (nee 'Crown Princess of Romania') celebrated her jubilee privately at the palace with her husband & sisters. She also received birthday wishes from the Patriarch. Princess Margareta is the elder daughter of the country's last King, Mihai I (deposed in 1947). Since his death (2017) she officially claims the throne, despite her titles are disputed according the defunct kingdom's salic laws of succession.

Princess Margareta was born on March 26, 1949, in Geneva, Switzerland. Her parents were former King Michael of Romania & 'Queen' Anne (Princess of Bourbon Parma). She was their first child, and had four other sisters (Elena, Irina, Sofia, & Maria). She was christened into orthodox faith with Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (husband of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II) being a godparent.

With her parents & younger sisters

Monarchy in Romania was abolished over a year before Margareta's birth, with the royal family exiled. Thus, the Princess' early life was simple, with her father first owning a farm in England & then working as test-pilot in Switzerland. She shared her childhood between the two countries, also spending quality time with her grandparents in Italy & Denmark.

Margareta begun her primary education in Switzerland, and then moved to a Hampshire boarding school (UK) in 1960. Her favorite subjects included art, riding, natural science & music. In 1964 she pursued her secondary education in a French school in Switzerland, where she studied philosophy. After receiving her baccalaureate, and taking her driving licence the next day, she left the country.

Instead of going to France to study Arts, she spent a year with her paternal grandmother, Queen-Mother Elena in Florence (Italy). The latter became a role model for Margareta, influenced her interest in diplomacy work and encouraged her to continue with tertial university education. She chosed the University of Edinburgh in Scotland and studied sociology, political sciences & international law, obtaining two degrees in 1974.

In her university years, the Princess kept her royal genealogy in backround, being known as Margareta de Roumanie among her fellows. She became a member of students' representatives council and in 1970s was had a love affair with Gordon Brown, future (2007-2010) Prime Minister of the UK. The pair were in relationship for five years, and according to some, could have married.

Margareta & Gordon Brown (right)

Following her graduation, Margareta worked in numerous British Universities, specializing in medical sociology & public health policy. From 1979 she joined the United Nations, working in public health sector, and joining social & humanitarian projects, assisting people with disadvantages in several countries of Africa & Latin America. In 1983 she moved to Rome, becoming employed in other UN organisations, related to Food & Agricultural Development.

Soon after the Communist regime of Nicolae Ceaușescu was overthrown (December 1989), Margareta with her younger sister Sofia, became the first representatives of (banned) royal family to visit Romania in early 1990. They campaigned for the return of the (still exiled) King, and even took part in pro-monarchy demonstrations. Finally King Michael was first allowed to come back in 1992.

Already from the beginnign of Romanian revolution (1989), Margareta resigned from her UN positions & came to Geneva, assisting the (ex-officio) Royal Council in monitoring the situation from outside. After the regime changed they offered first aids to the poor. Margarita was visiting an orphanage in her first days in Romania, when she saw a child dying in front of her; this lead her to establish her personal charity, caring for the less priviledged children & elderly of various diseases.

Her 'Princess Margareta of Romania Foundation' was thus created in 1990. The Foundation has based on the goals of improving the living conditions of families at risk, creating an inter-generational solidarity, contributing to more NGO's and fostering creativity & talent; and has been since developed into an elite-organisation, with various sustainable projects, which benefits -its way- Romanian society. It is fundraised by a UK-based Trust, which since 2006 is led by an active steering group.

Among the personel of the foundation she heads, Princess Margareta met her future husband, Romanian actor Radu Duda. 11 years her jounior, Duda worked as an art therapist in orphanages, related to the charity. They first met in 1994, and married on 21 September 1996, at the Greek Orthodox Church of Lausanne. Their wedding was attended by several royal families, with former King Constantine II of Greece serving as their "spiritual parent"/witness (Princess Margareta had been one of the bridesmaids at his royal wedding with Anne-Marie of Denmark, back in 1964).

Margareta & Radu's Royal Wedding, September 1996, Lausanne Orthodox Church, Switzerland

Radu was accorded the title of Prince of Hohenzollern-Veringen from 1999, being styled as HRH Radu, Prince of Romania, and referred by his father-in-law (the former King) as the future 'Prince Consort of Romania'. Princess Margarita herself was designated her father's rightful successor in all of his prerogatives and rights (in pretendence) in 1997. It was the same year, when King Michael was finally allowed to visit Romania freely (with his citizenship being restored). Soon afterwards the Romanian state returned the former royal family some of its royal residences.

Margareta with her father, King Michael I (1921-2017)

In the 2000s, and attempting to re-establish his branch as the only suitable, should Romanian monarchy be restored, Michael I established a series of new Fundamental Rules of the ex-Royal House, claiming its validity by 'stature and tradition'. In contrast with the Salic Law of succession (imposed by the Romanian constitution of 1923 & last amended in 1938, while monarchy was still acting), the new-line of succession (part of the declaration) included women, according to the EU legislation (& the European Convention of Human Rights, in particular). However, this move was critisized by some as an illegal claim of authority by a royal house that doesn't rule anymore.

The Fundamental Rules of the Royal Family of Romania were enacted by King Michael's signature on 30 December 2007. In accordance with them, Margareta was recognised as her father's rightful heir apparent by the titular Royal Household and was named Crown Princess. She was followed by her sisters and some of nephews/nieces in line of succession. Distant male relatives, or claimants, considered to be born illegally during the time monarchy existed were excluded from this Household. Some of them dispute these rules & succession, but -as of yet- there is no much interest by other relatives in claiming the throne, while Romanian state recognises the existing 'Royal Household.'

At her 70th birthday reception (Elisabeta palace)

Margareta & Radu live permanently in Romania & since 2001 have occupied Elisabetta palace in Bucharest. The residence was given for King Michael & his family during his lifetime. However, King Mihai & 'Queen' Ana continued to live in Switzerland, visiting the country only occasionally. While the princess' activities have been -more than once- interconnected with the government, Prince Radu had been involved in politics & even led a popular campaign claiming the country's Presidency (although he didn't win). A handful of royalist parties have sometimes supported them ambiguously.

Margareta & Radu at HM's Jubilee reception

Crown Princess Margareta continues her public activity in NGO's, while interacting with state officials, for several charitable events, or in engagements, organised by the former Royal House. She was elected President of the Romanian Red Cross in 2015, and participates to some activities of international red cross, in collaboration with foreign royals. Her foundation was once involved in a bribery scandal, with the princess & her husband accused in lobbying activities with british BAE Systems, involved in the corruption scanal, which they both denied. Margareta also accompanies her husband, a Special representative of the Romanian government, supporting the country's image outside, and promoting its role in the UN & NATO, on some of his working or official trips.

Margareta represented her father in more royal activities as he aged, and took over all of his 'duties when he withdrew from public life in 2016, due to his incurble illness. She begun using the title of "The Custodian of the Romanian throne" - foreseen in the fundamental rules -, and continued to use this title following Michael's death (in December 2017), claiming the style of 'Her Majesty'. In her (disputed) role as Head of the Romanian royal house, she leads the former royal family in traditional celebrations (i.e. the King's Day - May 10, an unofficial holiday), trips across the country, charity events & services. Recognised by the state in her capacity as head of the former dynasty, she is treated as a VIP, still lives in the palace and occasionally gives speeches in Parliament. As the official "representative" of the Romanian monarchy Margareta meets with foreign royals, attends major royal events, decorates her organisation' supporters with royal awards, leads royal funerals (eg of her parents in 2016 & 2017), reburials & memorials, and generally takes part in events, glorifying her country's royal legacy. A titular princess, claiming 'Queen' & respected VIP in non-royal republic!