Nicholas Medforth-Mills (formerly His Royal Highness Prince Nicholas of Romania)

[MarleneKoenig]

Originally Posted by HereditaryPrincess

Gosh, all this has happened so quickly. Nicholas (I guess it's official to call him by his English name now...) seemed like he was doing a good job, and he seemed to be rather passionate in getting children in Romania interested in reading. I can sort of understand why he wouldn't be able to handle the role, as before he became a prince he was a commoner and didn't have any official royal experiences. I can imagine that he had "prince training" at the beginning though.

I agree with those who have suggested that this is most likely due to a falling out. I apologise if this has already been asked, but do we know if Crown Princess Margarita was informed of this (as I read that King Mihai wants the succession line to end at her)?

Yes, she and Radu flew to Switzerland in early August

[Cory]

Nicholas and his family must be very sad in this circumstance. A lot of Romanians are writting on the personalFacebook page of the young man expressing their closeness to him in these moments.

[TLLK]

Originally Posted by MarleneKoenig

Yes, she and Radu flew to Switzerland in early August

Thank you for the information Marlene. I have to wonder if the family has come to realize that their place in Romanian society will never be restored to what it was before the end of WWII. Perhaps they've realized that their role to continue to serve as patrons of cultural and charitable foundations is truly enough for them as a family. King Michael can rest in the knowledge that he and his family were able to return to his homeland and see it evolve from the terrible conditions imposed during the Ceausescu regime.

[Cory]

Originally Posted by TLLK

Thank you for the information Marlene. I have to wonder if the family has come to realize that their place in Romanian society will never be restored to what it was before the end of WWII. Perhaps they've realized that their role to continue to serve as patrons of cultural and charitable foundations is truly enough for them as a family. King Michael can rest in the knowledge that he and his family were able to return to his homeland and see it evolve from the terrible conditions imposed during the Ceausescu regime.

25 years ago less of 10% of the population were in favour of the Family. Now there were more than 30% and Nicholas represented the hope for all these people.

[Benjamin]

Originally Posted by Ceallach

It is possible Margareta does not stand her ground as much with her father, but may sympathize with Nicholas and reinstate him and the others too.

I also find it interesting that Elena was contacted by Michael via a letter. It is already known that he has not spoken to Irina or her children for years. There is a disconnect in this family.

Thank you for mentioning this, Ceallach.

It is worth considering that perhaps King Michael *and* Crown Princess Margarita do not stand their ground as much as they should. Perhaps they both are sympathetic to Nicholas. Perhaps someone else near them is not.

In the past two decades, the Royal Family, as it were, has distanced itself from Princess Sophie (who was stripped of her title upon her marriage, though these were later reinstated), the former Princess Irina (who was stripped of her title for more obvious reasons) and now the former Prince Nicholas (who has been stripped of his title with no sensible explanation). Princess Marie is King Michael's youngest child and Crown Princess Margarita's goddaughter, so this may offer her some sort of protection from the treatment meted out to the rest of the family.

The King is in his golden years, and the Queen has been frail for quite some time. His Majesty seems to spend most of the year in Switzerland. This is perfectly reasonable as it does not appear that Queen Anne is in a condition to travel.

It would be wise to keep in mind that even though this proclamation would appear to emit from King Michael, that maybe His Majesty actually did not have much of a say in it.

[Benjamin]

Originally Posted by Royalotta

Margarita doesn't strike me as vindictive and though I find Radu a questionable figure, I don't think either of them had anything to do with this.

The Princess seems divine.

A quote from the speech that she delivered at his 30th birthday party on 1 April 2015:

Both Prince Radu and I are very proud of Nicolae, who is like our spiritual son. The country hasn't adopted him much yet, but he already adopted Romania, even if he wasn't born here. And this is just wonderful.

Source: AgerPres

Then there was this lovely photo-session which was released on 26 July 2015:
Vara, la Săvârșin | Familia Regală a României / Royal Family of Romania

Something does not seem quite right about all of this.

[Ceallach]

Originally Posted by Benjamin

Then there was this lovely photo-session which was released on 26 July 2015:
Vara, la Săvârșin | Familia Regală a României / Royal Family of Romania

Something does not seem quite right about all of this.

Yes it seems strange to release that photo op of him spending vacation time with them; and a week later there is a meeting.

[tihkon2]

As others have said, that's it. Any hope of a restoration is gone. It must be hereditary in this family to make the absolute worst decisions for their own well being. If it's a case of Nicolas not feeling up to it and not wanting to continue as ultimate heir, then it's on his shoulders that the monarchy will not be restored. If it's a case of others feeling he wasn't up to it, then they have shot themselves in the foot and have ruined any hope for this family to have a chance at being restored. Bah...bad situation all around. Someone screwed this up and I hope they all realize it.


*In light of the post below, and reading the communication to Marlene, it appears Nicholas did not instigate this and it was not his decision. So, I must hold the King responsible for the decision, and regardless of his reasoning, it is ultimately down to him that Nicholas was raised up, became popular, and now is demoted. Thus the King has created a bad , muddled, and unsavory situation and on his shoulders lay the responsibility for this.

[MarleneKoenig]

Originally Posted by TLLK

Thank you for the information Marlene. I have to wonder if the family has come to realize that their place in Romanian society will never be restored to what it was before the end of WWII. Perhaps they've realized that their role to continue to serve as patrons of cultural and charitable foundations is truly enough for them as a family. King Michael can rest in the knowledge that he and his family were able to return to his homeland and see it evolve from the terrible conditions imposed during the Ceausescu regime.

thanks. I have an updated post. The google translation got it wrong. Michael did not say anything about end of family ... Margarita will have right to name her heir when she is head. I just spent an hour chatting with the RF's lawyer Royal Musings: More on King Michael's decision.

[TLLK]

Thank you for the most recent update Marlene. Hope that the family is doing well in light of this recent action. Good luck to Nicholas in his future endeavors.

[Ceallach]

So if he is leaving it up to Margarita to pick an heir, but if Nicholas is not up to it then who is? This puts a lot on Margarita. Margarita's health was not good for a while, so she will have to prepare someone. We know little about Karina. It is more likely she will need to get her sisters to increase their roles. Marie is in Romania, Sophie says she is moving there once her daughter graduates (2017), but what about Elena? How do Elena and Karina feel about what has happened to Nicholas? Can Margarita or Elena redeem Nicholas? This does not feel good for the monarchy.

[Benjamin]

As Nicholas is out of the picture, the idea of restoring the monarchy will die.

He represented the future.

Now, there is not one.

[LadyFinn]

Originally Posted by MarleneKoenig

thanks. I have an updated post. The google translation got it wrong. Michael did not say anything about end of family ... Margarita will have right to name her heir when she is head. I just spent an hour chatting with the RF's lawyer Royal Musings: More on King Michael's decision.

Thank you for this.
Various medias write even in english about this.
"Even though the Royal House’s press release doesn’t mention the reason why King Mihai took such a decision, some counselors explained to the Romanian media that the grandson basically couldn’t live up to the “rigors” which is title implied. Speaking to Digi24, Ioan Luca Vlad, one of the advisors of Romania’s Royal House, said Prince Nicholas’ ideals were not compliant with the rigorous demands the title involved, pointing to environmental, youth and business related projects the prince was coordinating."
King Mihai of Romania withdraws his grandson the title of “Prince of Romania” _ Independent Balkan News Agency

[Ceallach]

Nicholas should be free to remain in Romania as a private citizen and get a job there. The fact that they say he will be leaving after he returns from vacation to find a job somewhere else may also imply he is not welcome in Romania. It may be that he has said/done something to upset the government and that a condition of the family continuing their status is he's gone. Maybe Michael sent a letter to Elena cause there is a reason he did not want to use the phone. They could be badmouthing without actually badmouthing Nicholas to appease the government. The scandal they could be afraid of is the government going after Nicholas. Those government officials may be gone once Margarita is the head of the family and she may be able to reinstate him. That is why it is left open for her to pick her heir. They may be waiting out the new government. The old government wanted to hold a referendum on returning the monarchy. Knowing there is no chance for reinstatement now, they are taking the PR hit to rebuild once the government is gone. Nicholas could get a job with an NGO outside Romania that helps Romanians. Or he could get a job giving him public service or diplomatic experience maybe with the EU. Saying Nicholas lacks diplomatic experience may be to give them an opportunity to have him meet that goal and be redeemed. Is it possible we are looking at this all wrong and this is for the protection of Nicholas and the monarchy?

[fearghas]

Originally Posted by Ceallach

Nicholas should be free to remain in Romania as a private citizen and get a job there. The fact that they say he will be leaving after he returns from vacation to find a job somewhere else may also imply he is not welcome in Romania. It may be that he has said/done something to upset the government and that a condition of the family continuing their status is he's gone. Maybe Michael sent a letter to Elena cause there is a reason he did not want to use the phone. They could be badmouthing without actually badmouthing Nicholas to appease the government. The scandal they could be afraid of is the government going after Nicholas. Those government officials may be gone once Margarita is the head of the family and she may be able to reinstate him. That is why it is left open for her to pick her heir. They may be waiting out the new government. The old government wanted to hold a referendum on returning the monarchy. Knowing there is no chance for reinstatement now, they are taking the PR hit to rebuild once the government is gone. Nicholas could get a job with an NGO outside Romania that helps Romanians. Or he could get a job giving him public service or diplomatic experience maybe with the EU. Saying Nicholas lacks diplomatic experience may be to give them an opportunity to have him meet that goal and be redeemed. Is it possible we are looking at this all wrong and this is for the protection of Nicholas and the monarchy?

I don't think so. I think in terms of PR and the future of monarchy that this decision is disastrous and spells the end of any future restoration. The King has basically said that Nicholas has let him down and now he should bugger off. I can well imagine people thinking, " well we liked Nicholas, he seemed to be doing a great job but now you don't want him so why should we want you."
After reading through all the posts here, the newspaper articles and Marlenes blog personally I feel that there is something in Nicholas private life that the King feels is not worthy of the role of Monarchy in Roumania. Homosexuality would fit that, though that is pure speculation.
I also feel that there is no real chance of the Royal family continuing in the future. Why should the people of the country take the risk of trying yet another grandchild of the king when that person could also be take away from them. Also as far as I can tell no other grandchild has shown the slightest interest in the country
I am very disappointed with this decision and can only hope that Nicholas finds happiness and fulfilment elsewhere.

[Jacknch]

I've been thinking about this whole situation from Nicolae's point of view and the possible disparity between his point of view and King Michael's.

Nicolae lived most of his life in a normal way, with his own plans for his future and career and how he wanted to live his life. He is then asked if he would come to Romania, learn the language and culture and be adopted, so to speak, into a whole new life, with a title as prince and possibly king at some point in the future.

He throws himself into the challenge and does remarkably well becoming popular and doing much good for the people of Romania.
But giving up his former life must have been a huge compromise and so I wonder whether he felt that in return for doing all that he has done for King Michael and his adoptive country, he wanted something in return - to be able to pursue his own interest outside of Romania - various charities or business interests, his cycling events etc etc that had nothing to do with his role in the royal family and a possible restoration. So it could have been his commitment and willingness to devote ALL of his time in Romania that the king felt was lacking and either no compromise could be reached or was sought.

It is a very sad situation for everyone concerned, the king, the former prince, the crown princess and not least of all the people of Romania - particularly those who support the royal family and restoration.

I hope very much that we continue to hear news of Nicolae's life and be updated with what he is doing from time to time because I have always enjoyed this thread and will miss him a great deal in his role as prince.

[crm2317]

I am so shocked by this news! To be honest I feel very sorry for Nicholas. He changed his life for his family and the succession. Moved to Romania, took on patronages and royal visits. He seemed to be doing a lot of good in Romania, particularly with children and young people. To suddenly be stripped of his titles and position is really surprising. There has to be more to this?!

[MAfan]

The more I think about this story and the more I am puzzled.
If the issue is really only the fact that Nicolae has understood that he isn't fit for a royal role and that he prefers to return back to his life as a private person, why just don't tell it and renounce to titles and succession rights? That would be perfectly understandable.
But why, instead, it was King Michael who stripped him of his title and succession rights? And why so suddenly? Why did they choose to act this way instead of a clearer, easier and more understandable way?

[LadyFinn]

Originally Posted by MAfan

The more I think about this story and the more I am puzzled.
If the issue is really only the fact that Nicolae has understood that he isn't fit for a royal role and that he prefers to return back to his life as a private person, why just don't tell it and renounce to titles and succession rights? That would be perfectly understandable.
But why, instead, it was King Michael who stripped him of his title and succession rights? And why so suddenly? Why did they choose to act this way instead of a clearer, easier and more understandable way?

It would have been a more clearer decision and way to handle this, if Nicholas would have given a statement - if he wanted to give up his title.

Now this advisor of the Royal House, Mr. Vlad, has spoken a lot to the media, some quotes from an article:
"‘Surely, it will be difficult to get used to it, now I am the first to say that his presence in Romania was a beneficial one and he thinks that he has learned a lot while in Romania, that his experience was extraordinary and unique, so there is nothing and there is no reason for which he leaves Romania due to Romania, on the contrary there are nice memories to be left with’"
"now, nothing happened and we hope nothing to happen in the future, but we got to such a formula to ensure that the future will be nice for both parties’"
About the future for Nicholas
"‘He may get into private business, he may continue with charity activities, he may continue with his activities with the youth, or ecological ones, this renouncement reopens all paths which were closed the moment he assumed the role he had in Romania. By giving up this role, all the other options are valid. He is a young man with unique experience and many companies. The NGOs want him to do extraordinary things with them, for example, Kenya from where he came back quite recently’".
King Mihai withdraws grandson Nicholas actmedia

He makes it sound like they were the whole time waiting that Nicholas makes some mistake. Didn't he have a guidance to help him to learn his role?

[LadyFinn]

A statement from Nicholas is now at the website of the Royal Family:
Comunicatul Biroului de Presă al Majestății Sale, 11 august 2015 _ Familia Regală a României _ Royal Family of Romania
Translation