History King of the Romanians

the state had been internationally recognized principality since 1862, after creation of united principalities, personal union between moldavia , wallachia, @ time vassal states of ottoman empire. alexander became domnitor (ruling prince) after official unification of 2 formerly separate states, being elected prince of both states in 1859. deposed in 1866 broad coalition of main political parties, after parliament offered throne prince karl of hohenzollern-sigmaringen subsequently became new domnitor of romania (as carol i).

romania s independence ottoman empire recognized in 1878 treaty of berlin. in expression of full sovereignty, principality elevated kingdom in 1881, carol becoming king of romanians. carol died in 1914, , succeeded nephew, ferdinand i.

in 1927, ferdinand died, , country left in care of regency headed prince nicholas of romania, during reign of ferdinand s young grandson, michael (who 6 years old @ time), father (carol ii) having renounced throne in 1925. carol ii, unlike carol i, in beginning had no desire rule romania, , out of country exploring rest of europe mistress. michael s first reign short lived @ 3 years, until father carol ii came contest title @ behest of dissatisfied political faction staged sudden coup d état (in spite of fact few years earlier had renounced in official documents, written , signed in front of own father, future claims throne of romania).

after ten-year rule, carol ii forced give crown in wake of outcry on second vienna award, forced romania surrender northern transylvania hungary. after war, married longtime mistress, elena lupescu. couple settled in portugal, , playboy king never returned romania.

the kingdom of romania constitutional monarchy of existence exception of 1938–1944, during dictatorships of carol ii (1938–1940) , ion antonescu (1940–1944). on 23 august 1944, michael restored last democratic royal constitution of 1923. however, during second reign (1940–1947), michael reigned extraconstitutional king, without parliamentary vote. parliament suspended , reinstated later, in 1946. michael crowned , anointed orthodox patriarch, nicodim munteanu, in patriarchal cathedral of bucharest, on day of second accession, 6 september 1940. however, legally, michael not exercise authority besides prerogatives such being supreme head of army , designating plenipotentiary prime minister conducător ( leader ).

on 23 august 1944, soviet army deep inside romania s territory, michael deposed german-allied dictator ion antonescu @ urging of opposition parties , aligned country allies. helped presence of soviet forces, communists gradually took control of administration. on 30 december 1947, king michael forced sign abdication. same day, parliament proclaimed country people s republic. young former king , former queen mother elena forced leave romania on january 3, 1948, in royal train, @ request of communist-dominated government. royal properties nationalized later year.