Death and Funeral of King Michael, 5th & 16th December 2017

[Gaudete]

Patriarch Daniel of Romania has said the argument is ridiculous and that the timing of the King's burial was not specifically requested but was "natural" considering the need for public ceremony leading to a private burial later that the day. He also says that the church has been working with the Royal House for a while now on these plans which the King himself approved.

 

[kbk]

Well, damn if it's true. But who knows, maybe Mihai ordered this like that before dying, knowing this bill is going to be passed. But then again he is a true christian, so without one proof, this is quite an accusation.

What bill?

 

[Andy T]

https://www.realitatea.net/reac-ii-...-va-fi-inhumat-noaptea-batjocura_2126700.html

It seems as if the Royal House are facing a backlash here because of the time of the burial and the restricted access to press and public. A popular theory (on social media....) is that the King died months ago but that the Royal House waited to announce it until the Roman Parliament had passed it's bill confirming the status of the Royal House. Some are suggesting this is why Nicholas MM was restricted from seeing his grandfather.

Social media is a fertile ground for extremely dubious and malicious people. Anybody who has seen the clip below, broadcast yesterday, would be in no doubt that the family's grief is still very raw and fresh. I actually feel unclean and disrespectful in posting this clip because it intrudes into a very private moment (shame on the TV company that filmed it) but it provides an unequivocal rebuke to the scandalous accusations you speak of.

As for the comments regarding the timing of the burial, they are disgraceful. Again, it appears as if some elements are on a mission to destroy and discredit the Royal House in any way possible. If you stop and think about it, the comments are absurd. The funeral will take place on one of shortest days of the year. There is a need to perform three ceremonies in three different locations, the third of which is hours away from the first two. There is a need to time the main funeral ceremony in Bucharest in such a way that mourners can assemble and attend. The ceremonial participants (military and others) also need to accompany the cortège. The operation of the police and security services, there to protect the guests - and manage the crowd - must be considered. Finally, and most importantly, there must be a rhythm which is dignified, allows the mourners to get through the day and gives time to those who wish to pay homage along the route.

 

[Gaudete]

The funeral isn’t all that different to that of Queen Anne’s last year so I can’t see quite where the complaints are coming from. But as you rightly say, social media gossip is responsible for all sorts of misunderstandings.

 

[Duc_et_Pair]

What bill?

The Bill which gives the former royal family a formal public role, including a Budget, 20 persons of staff, an office (Elisabeta Palace) and facilitary assistance from the State.

There are two camps: one which realizes that Romania is what it is: a republic, and that a return to a monarchy is unlikely. Better to make formal arrangements with the State (like the former German Royal Houses did) than to remain in a sort of limbo.

The other camp says: this is traitorous, this is leaving the dream of a monarchist revival in Romania. This is a capitulation the republic.

This is why you see camps of monarchists fiercely attacking Princess Margareta and Radu Duda, seeing them as the motor behind this "appeasement" policy. Princess Margareta and Radu Duda however see this Bill -when passed in Parliament- as a solid base to have a meaningful role as former royal family in today's Romania.

 

[Somebody]

In addition to the duke of Edinburgh, it could very well be that grand duke Jean (all three of them born in 1921) was also a friend or at least a good acquaintance of king Michael, who married Jean's cousin princess Anne of Bourbon-Parma. Quite exceptional that these three royal men born in the same year reached the age of (at least) 96!

 

[Countessmeout]

In addition to the duke of Edinburgh, it could very well be that grand duke Jean (all three of them born in 1921) was also a friend or at least a good acquaintance of king Michael, who married Jean's cousin princess Anne of Bourbon-Parma. Quite exceptional that these three royal men born in the same year reached the age of (at least) 96!

Anne was certainly close to Jean. Actually he helped them meet. Anne was meant to accompany her parents to London for Elizabeth and Philip's wedding but declined. It was her cousin Jean who convinced Anne to come to London for a party he was planning. She came with Jean, and it was while visiting her parents, she first met Michael. She had been so embarrassed meeting him that she fled, but he attended Jean's party, as he had been so charmed.

 

[Duc_et_Pair]

Anne was certainly close to Jean. Actually he helped them meet. Anne was meant to accompany her parents to London for Elizabeth and Philip's wedding but declined. It was her cousin Jean who convinced Anne to come to London for a party he was planning. She came with Jean, and it was while visiting her parents, she first met Michael. She had been so embarrassed meeting him that she fled, but he attended Jean's party, as he had been so charmed.

Relationship between the late Queen Anne and Grand-Duke Jean:

Anne de Bourbon de Parme (1923-2016) cousine of Jean
x Michael von Hohenzollern, King of Romania (1921-2017)
|
René de Bourbon de Parme (1894-1962) uncle of Jean
x Margrethe, Princess of Denmark (1895-1992)
|
Robert I de Bourbon de Parme, Duke of Parma (1848-1907) grandfather of Jean and Anne
x Maria Antonia de Bragança, Infanta of Portugal (1862-1959)
|
Félix de Bourbon de Parme (1893-1970) uncle of Anne
x Charlotte de Nassau, Grand-Duchess of Luxembourg (1896-1895)
|
Jean de Nassau & de Bourbon de Parme, Grand-Duke of Luxembourg (1921) cousin of Anne
x Joséphine-Charlotte de Belgique (1953-2005)

 

[LadyFinn]

Nicholas received the Royal House's permission to attend the funeral of King Michael, according to his lawyer Radu Enache.
Reconciliere în familia Regală. Fostul principe Nicolae a primit ACORDUL de a participa la funeraliile Regelui Mihai - Mediafax

"He participates at the funeral. He received an official address from the Royal House that he has a place in the funeral protocol and will participate with his fiancé, Alina Maria Binder. The connection between the Royal House and Prince Nicholas will be through an official of the Royal House, Mr. Traian Sîrcă", said Radu Enache, the former Prince Nicholas' lawyer.
Fostul principe Nicolae participă la funeraliile regelui Mihai. Precizările avocatului său

 

[maria-olivia]

The Funerals are so long after the Anouncement that the Emotions stopped.

 

[Somebody]

Looks like his lawyer conveniently forgot that Nicholas is no longer a prince...

What is meant by 'the connection will be through'? Is that hiw Nicholas is supposed to communicate with his family?

 

[Benjamin]

Looks like his lawyer conveniently forgot that Nicholas is no longer a prince...

What is meant by 'the connection will be through'? Is that hiw Nicholas is supposed to communicate with his family?

It is actually not so uncommon for the press in the country to refer to Nicholas with Romanian variations of "Prince Nicholas," "former Prince Nicholas," "Nicholas de Roumanie Medforth-Mills" or "Nicholas Medforth-Mills."

To answer your question: yes. It is apparently requiring an intermediary to communicate between Nicholas' attorney and the Royal House itself. This is presumably because the Royal House will not communicate directly with Nicholas.

Royal Musings: Nicholas Medforth-Mills will attend King Michael's funeral

 

[HereditaryPrincess]

Oh, that's sad to hear. May King Michael rest in peace.

On another note; I'm pleased to hear that Nicholas has been invited to the funeral. Hopefully the rift between him and the rest of the family will slowly amend.

 

[rominet09]

Happy to know he is invited !!!!

 

[Jacknch]

A very nice article from BBC News although somewhat short:

King Michael: Romanians unite to mourn their last monarch - BBC News

 

[Duc_et_Pair]

It is illustrative that Nicholas Medforth-Mills communicates with the former royal family via his lawyer using an intermediate. Even when it is about his grandfather's funeral.

 

[RoyalHighness 2002]

It is illustrative that Nicholas Medforth-Mills communicates with the former royal family via his lawyer using an intermediate. Even when it is about his grandfather's funeral.

It is illustrative the Royal House most likely wanted to use an intermediate to contact Nicolas even though it's about his grandpa's funeral.

 

[principessa]

Will Irina and her family attend the funeral?

 

[Countessmeout]

Relationship between the late Queen Anne and Grand-Duke Jean:

Anne de Bourbon de Parme (1923-2016) cousine of Jean
x Michael von Hohenzollern, King of Romania (1921-2017)
|
René de Bourbon de Parme (1894-1962) uncle of Jean
x Margrethe, Princess of Denmark (1895-1992)
|
Robert I de Bourbon de Parme, Duke of Parma (1848-1907) grandfather of Jean and Anne
x Maria Antonia de Bragança, Infanta of Portugal (1862-1959)
|
Félix de Bourbon de Parme (1893-1970) uncle of Anne
x Charlotte de Nassau, Grand-Duchess of Luxembourg (1896-1895)
|
Jean de Nassau & de Bourbon de Parme, Grand-Duke of Luxembourg (1921) cousin of Anne
x Joséphine-Charlotte de Belgique (1953-2005)

Thank you, I was aware of the family link. I was talking about the Personal relationship between them. Just because they are related by blood, doesn't neccesarily mean they have a relationship. I was speaking to a poster asking if Jean and Michael would have been close due to Anne.

Will Irina and her family attend the funeral?

Interesting to see if she does. She never attended the funeral of her own mother, so I am not holding my breath she will come to her father's.

 

[Benjamin]

Will Irina and her family attend the funeral?

Yes, Irina will be attending her father’s funeral.

It is not known whether her children will be there. One is inclined to think so due to the magnitude of the occasion.

 

[maria-olivia]

I noticed no message of condoléances of Royal Reigning Houses .
The attendence to me will be :

Belgium
Prnce Lorenz, Archduke of Habsbourg Este

Spain
Queen Sofia

The Netherlands
Prince Constantijn

England
Perhaps the Prince of Wales alone because He owns lands in Romania

Norway
Prince Haakon or Princess Astrid

Denmark
Prince Joachim

Luxembourg
Prince Guillaume and his wife

Monaco and Liechtenstein
Their Prince

and a lot of non reigning royals and german Royals and some Bourbon Parma

 

[Duc_et_Pair]

This is not a reigning Royal House, so the condoléances will be private. I expect the generation who knew Michael to attend. He was a reigning King after all.

UK
The Prince of Wales (Elizabeth II and Philip look too frail)

Norway
The King (Astrid looks too frail)

Denmark
The Queen (I would be surprised to see Henrik)

Sweden
The King (his siblings usually do not represent him and his children are from a total different generation)

Netherlands
Princess Beatrix (she knew the couple)
The Duke of Parma (Queen Anne was a De Bourbon de Parme)

Belgium
King Albert II (he knew the couple)
Archduke Lorenz of Austria-Este (he was a counsel to the late King)

Luxembourg
Grand-Duke Henri (his father, a cousin of Anne, is too frail)

Spain
King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofía (they knew the couple, Doña Sofía is a cousine to King Michael)

Monaco
The Prince (who else?)

Liechtenstein
The Fürst

 

[maria-olivia]

Who will attend ?
I proposed 10 royal members of reigning Royal Houses , you Duke 11 .
Who is the Winner ? rendez-vous in a few days !!

 

[Benjamin]

Apparently, Prince Charles and a member of the Spanish Royal Family (likely Queen Sofía) have confirmed their attendance.

The Royal House of Romania should release a guest list on Tuesday.

Prințul Charles și Casa Regală a Spaniei au confirmat prezența la funeraliile Regelui Mihai - Stirileprotv.ro

 

[French Toast]

This is not a reigning Royal House, so the condoléances will be private. I expect the generation who knew Michael to attend. He was a reigning King after all.

UK
The Prince of Wales (Elizabeth II and Philip look too frail)

Norway
The King (Astrid looks too frail)

Denmark
The Queen (I would be surprised to see Henrik)

Sweden
The King (his siblings usually do not represent him and his children are from a total different generation)

Netherlands
Princess Beatrix (she knew the couple)
The Duke of Parma (Queen Anne was a De Bourbon de Parme)

Belgium
King Albert II (he knew the couple)
Archduke Lorenz of Austria-Este (he was a counsel to the late King)

Luxembourg
Grand-Duke Henri (his father, a cousin of Anne, is too frail)

Spain
King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofía (they knew the couple, Doña Sofía is a cousine to King Michael)

Monaco
The Prince (who else?)

Liechtenstein
The Fürst

Are these confirmed attendances (besides The Prince of Wales and the King and Queen of Spain) or simply guesses?

 

[Duc_et_Pair]

Are these confirmed attendances (besides The Prince of Wales and the King and Queen of Spain) or simply guesses?

Pure personal guesses with a certain logic thinking in terms of generations and positions. It is also possible that Prince Carlos, the Duke of Parma, will represent both his cousin the King of the Netherlands as well his far cousin the Grand-Duke of Luxembourg. It is also possible that the Archduke Lorenz of Austria-Este will represent his brother-in-law, the King of the Belgians. (These two -Carlos and Lorenz- did attend the funeral of Queen Anne).

 

[French Toast]

Thank you for the clarification.

 

[maria-olivia]

K. Albert II, K. Michel of Romania and GD. Jean of Luxembourg were the last european Royals who attend Queen Elsabeth II's Coronation.

 

[Countessmeout]

K. Albert II, K. Michel of Romania and GD. Jean of Luxembourg were the last european Royals who attend Queen Elsabeth II's Coronation.

Of the reigning monarchs true, and only European, as Akihito attended. But Philip's nieces and nephews attended with their parents and two are alive (Maximilian of Baden and Dorothea of Hesse). And of course the abundance of British royals in attendance.

 

[eya]

On Monday, December 11, the coffin with the dead body of His Majesty King Mihai was deposited at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Lausanne, where dozens of Romanians of all ages in Switzerland came to regret and to pay tribute . Some have come from other countries, such as France or Italy, especially to take part .

In the presence of Princess Elena and Princess Sofia, as well as Alexander Philips Nixon. His Eminence Metropolitan Joseph of the Romanian Orthodox Metropolitanate of Central and Southern Europe, parish priest Alexandre Yossifidis, served with a group of six priests in Romanian, French and Greek.

Sicriul cu corpul neînsuflețit al Majestății Sale Defuncte Regele Mihai, la Catedrala Ortodoxă din Lausanne | Familia Regală a României / Royal Family of Romania

And for Sweden King Carl Gustav and Queen Silvia

lördag 16 december

Närvaro vid begravning av Kung Mikael I av Rumänien

Kungen, Drottningen
Plats: Bukarest, Rumänien