Margaretha, the Custodian of the Crown of Romania, was joined by her husband, Prince Radu, on a recent visit to the Vatican City and His Holiness the Pope.
Upon entering the Apostolic Palace, the Custodian of the Crown and the Prince Consort were greeted by representatives of the Prefecture of the Pontifical Household and led to the private library, where Pope Francis received them. Her Majesty and Prince Radu then spoke to the Pope privately.
The Custodian of the Crown gave the Pope a collection of 96 engravings that pays tribute to the 96 years of life of King Michael – Her Majesty’s late father. Pope Francis also received a jubilee plate replica of a plate given by Emperor Napoleon III to King Charles I. Her Majesty was given a porcelain engraving representing St. Peter’s Basilica and a collection of seven volumes from his personal library containing reflections and teachings.
After the private meeting, Pope Francis met the Romanian delegation, consisting of Romanian politicians and diplomats.
The royals and the Romanian delegation then visited the Apostolic Palace and the Sistine Chapel before the royals toured the Vatican Gardens and St. Peter’s Basilica.
Although approximately 80 per cent of all Romanians profess to be Orthodox Christians, Catholicism also has strong roots within the Romanian Royal Family. Queen Anne of Romania was born a Princess of Bourbon-Parma and, therefore, a Catholic.
This was the Romanian Royal Family’s fourth visit to the Vatican, following the visits of King Michael in 1999 and 2013; the Custodian of the Crown visited in 2003.
