"ROYAL VISITORS to Israel this week were Prince Radu of Romania and his wife, Crown Princess Margareta, who spent three days in Israel. Princess Margareta is the eldest daughter of former King Michael I of Romania and is a direct descendant of Queen Victoria. Her father, who in 1947 was forced by the Communist regime to abdicate his throne, is a great-great grandson of Queen Victoria. He is believed to be the oldest surviving pre-World War II head of state. During the Second World War, King Michael was actively anti-Nazi. Prince Radu, though not born a royal, represents the royal family. This is because the Royal Romanian Constitution, which became invalid in 1947 with King Michael’s abdication, has no provision for female successors to the throne.
Prince Radu, who is very close to King Michael, is known for his many diverse activities in the arts, the military and in politics. He was active in Romania’s integration into NATO, and he devised an art therapy program for abandoned orphans.
He has authored several books and has lectured extensively all over Europe and the US on subjects related to defense, security, geopolitics, diplomacy, economics, culture and education. He also writes regularly in the Romanian press and appears frequently on television.
Among the Jewish organizations that have been active for many years in Romania is B’nai B’rith. On the first day of the royal visit B’nai B’rith World Center chairman Dr. Haim V. Katz and director Alan Schneider had dinner with the royal couple and Romania’s ambassador, Andreea Pastarnac. Dinner conversation was wide ranging with discussion on Romania’s Jewish heritage including of course B’nai B’rith’s long history in the country, Israel-Romanian relations and persecution of Christians in Arab countries.
While in Israel, Prince Radu and Crown Princess Margareta met with Holocaust survivors who owed their lives to the princess’s grandmother, the late Queen Helen. The queen was recognized by Yad Vashem as one of the Righteous Among the Nations for her efforts in rescuing thousands of Jews." (
Grapevine: Memories of May Day | JPost | Israel News)