Adio, Majestate!

Romania loves the monarchy. This would be the conclusion that anyone who turns on the TV, listens to the radio or reads the written press would reach, because the media is full of articles about King Michael and the monarchy. But if we were to go back about two decades, things would not be exactly like that. King Michael was driven out of the country by the post-Decembrist regime led by Iliescu and Roman, as happened in 1947, during the Bolshevik regime. The descendants of those communists, the current Socialist Party members, lay flowers and candles for the Romanian monarch who passed away, and post messages of compassion on blogs, thus showing their insensitivity.
Being on a visit to Denmark, I had the opportunity to experience the royal family’s visit to the city where I stayed for a week. There were many preparations, the officials were put on the spot long before the visit. The locals were anxious to meet their Queen, and on the day of the royal family’s arrival, the place was packed with people. The city had no more than 20,000 inhabitants, but then the number of those present was five times greater. It was packed with people. I had not seen so much excitement and people in one place since the time Ceauşescu visited a locality. When I was in my first year of college, the participation of the country’s president at the opening of the academic year in Cluj was announced. What a commotion, we were forced to go out, to cheer him on! We, the freshmen, were locked in the Cluj stadium like sheep, to see how much the beloved leader was being ovated by the young people. Something similar happened in the Danish city, when the Queen visited. The difference, however, was that those citizens went to meet the Queen out of pleasure, while we were forced to. Their faces were smiling, people were crying with emotion.

Only now do I understand what my grandparents told me about the monarchy and the King. Only now do I fully understand why the students from „Radu Negru” (the Brotherhood of the Cross) would sneak up to Galaţi Hill at night and sing „Long Live the King” away from the eyes of the Securitate, in 1948. The repercussions of the regime really didn’t matter to them, compared to their love for the monarchy and the King.
Romanians loved their King, respected him and saw in the Royal House the hope for the Romanian people.
The death of King Michael I closes a chapter in the history of Romania. If there was still a hope for the better, the one that the communists led by Iliescu shattered after 1990, now it has disappeared for good.
We have a republic and some are proud of it. But without going back in time and analyzing that Romania’s Independence did not make the Republic. Neither the Great Union was accomplished through the Republic, nor was the development and modernization of this small, medieval country brought about by the Republic. The monarchy and a foreign King raised the Romanian country and opened its doors to the civilization of the great European countries.
Today, many mourn Michael the First and send syrupy words to the royal family. Some of them suffer from amnesia and insensitivity. Or perhaps they want to rewrite history to please the public. An Iliescu cries, a Băsescu is not far from mourning, a Constantinescu shows himself to be deeply mourning, Petre Roman makes ratings talking about the monarchy and how many are no longer like them. There are only those who expelled him from the country after 1990, blocking the borders for His Majesty.
King Michael I was an example of modesty and dignity. In 1997 he visited Făgăraş, the Citadel, the „Radu Negru” High School. Many people came to welcome and greet him. He left a mark of his visit to our city in the book of honor of the two units he visited. A simple note, but worth a thousand words. Queen Anne was also alone in Făgăraş and also stopped at Radu Negru, as Queen Maria did after the First World War. Carol II did not go to Făgăraş, but instead King Ferdinand and Queen Maria did, on the memorable visit that marked seven months since the Great Union. How grandly, how many people
greeted them! It was a great celebration for the entire Country of Făgăraş. Prince Nicolae was in Făgăraş and impressed, as well as Princess Margareta and her husband Duda.
Is there still hope for the Monarchy? If we take into account the notes of historian Marius Oprea, the answer is „No”. „I saw with my own eyes a clear reference to Radu Duda in an authentic document of the Securitate. Radu Duda was considered a „support person”, meaning that he dealt, on the orders of the Securitate, with those who were to collaborate with the Securitate”, revealed Marius Oprea, who also notes the reasons for the „alliances” initialed by the Margareta-Duda couple with Liviu Dragnea and the PSD. It is clear that with King Michael I the history of the monarchy for Romania ended. Therefore, we can say bluntly: „Farewell, Majesty!” (Lucia BAKI)