Monarchies Today - Royalty around the globe: Romania's last Royal Funeral; Queen Mother Elena (1896 - 1982) has been reburied (18 & 19/10/2019)

This month, Romanian royal family hold its final 'funeral' of a significant member. The remains of former Queen Helen - mother of the late last King Michael I - who had lain on a private grave in Lausanne since her death (1982) were transported to her country-by-marriage & re-intered with honours at the family crypt in Curtea de Arges, beside her husband (King Carol II), son & daughter-in-law. The reburial ceremonies lasted for two days, with the former royal family observing 'three days of mourning' & condolence books open at its currently owned residences.

Queen Mother Helen's first grave in Lausanne

The reburial of deceased family members, buried far from the customary burial place was announced in early 2018, soon after the major state funeral of the last King Mihai (1921-2017). The New Archiepiscopal Cathedral in Curtea de Arges, opened from May 2009, was specially prepared as the final resting place for remaining royal family members. Having already the last Royal Couple - Mihai I & 'Queen' Ana (1923-2016) intered here, new graves were prepared for the last King's parents. In March this year, former King Carol II was intered in his grave, 15 years after his remains were transfered back from Portugal & laid in repose unburied. Next came the turn of Queen Mother Elena, who died in Lausanne in 1982 & was buried at local Bois-de-Vaux cemetery without any pomp at the time. The announcement as made in early September, with a full funeral program released a month later.

After a private collection of remains & previous late night service in Switzerland, the coffin of Queen Helen arrived to Otopei airport on Friday, October 18 at 11am local time. It was welcomed by Elena's granddaughter, 'Custodian of The Crown' Princess Margareta (current Head of the Royal House), her husband Prince Radu, sisters Elena & Maria, as well as a delegation of dignitaries & official state representatives.

From right to left: Princess Margareta, Radu, Elena & Maria

The casket, drapped by royal standart and preceded by a wooden cross with the script: Elena Regina and her lifespan dates, proceeded from the military airplain that brought her back, under the sound of Chopin's funeral march, and was placed to a prepared catafalque. A short, multi-faith service followed, reminding the late Queen's protection to Jews during WWII, for which she was posthumously awarded with Israel's highest civilian honour.

Flag-drapped casket placed into the funerary hearse in airport

After the service, Queen Mother's remains were transfered by a funerary car to the Elisabetta palace, current official residence of the Royal family, as a symbol of reunification with the country she leaved with her son 71 years ago not to return from exile alive.

From ~12:00 to 12:45 the casket lay in repose at the main 'King's Hall' of the palace. Following a short family prayer dignitaries were coming to pay their respects & sign 'condolence book', including Romania's Patriarch Daniel (at 12:30). General public were allowed only outside, but the ceremony (as all others) were streamed live by national television. Flowers (only white-coloured upon Margareta's request) could be placed by wellwishers at the palace grounds & outside Curtea de Arges' new Cathedral (her burial place to be).

Hearse procession passed the Arch of Triumph in Buchurest

By 12:50 the funeral hearse left Elisabetta palace & began a long route through Romanian towns & villages to Curtea de Arges. It arrived just before 5pm, with the casket being placed in repose to the Old Cathedral (at which nave the first modern Kings & Queens of Romania are intered). Soon, people gathered outside were allowed to enter & worship for their last Queen during monarchy (a Princess of Greece & Denmark by birth), who paid major attention to her son during his minor years & youth, when he had become King in a turbulent period. They were allowed to do so up until 8am of Saturday, 19 October 2019.

Cross scripting ELENA REGINA & her lifespan (1896-1982), during the funeral

That day the main funeral service took place at noon. Current & former members of Romanian royal family were in attendance, as well as the Duke (Queen Helen's nephew) & Duchess of Aosta and the main representative of HRH Charles Prince of Wales (Britain's heir apparent). The service was officiated by a senior congregation of the Orthodox Church of Romania, with a tribute letter of the Patriarch read at the ceremony's closure.

Casket brought by the Guard Brigade

Then the standard-drapped coffin of Queen Mother Elena (who never served as Queen-consort, being married to her husband from 1921 to 1928, before his taking of the throne) was transported by the 30th Mihai Viteazul Guard Brigade towards the New Cathedral. The final procession was accompanied by post service repose prayers from the Old Cathedral, chopin's funeral march from the military band & applaudes by people gathering before the grounds.

Final, pre-burial procession from Old to New Cathedral

Queen Helen was finally laid to rest in private, following a short service from, heard from outside the New Cathedral. Before the Royal family left the Cathedral, an ultimate tribute of 21-gun-salute, Romanian national & royal anthems, and a military fanfare, concluded the ultimate tribute a former Queen could ever receive.

After the internement; Margareta & Radu leave the Cathedral

Margareta & Radu, the remaining legal heads of Royal family, briefly talked to the public, & then led other members in bowing to the guards as gratitude to the state for helping them conclude this long-desired act successfully. It meant a lot for them & their royal heritage's preservation to have all of their ancestors properly intered together. Apart from their increased popularity & influence to the current state affairs, 'reuniting' their deceased members in eternity had an important symbolic meaning, emotionally close to them.