On Saturday, in the Romanian capital of Bucharest celebrations took place to mark 30 years since the return of the Royal Family following the collapse of the communist regime. Her Majesty Margareta, Custodian of the Crown of Romania, and the Romanian Royal Family attended a series of event to celebrate the return in 1990. It was Her Majesty Margareta, Custodian of the Crown of Romania, then Crown Princess, who was the first member of the Royal Family to return to the country 30 years ago.
The day started with an event in the Romanian National Theatre. Representatives from all the charity organisations supported by the Crown participated. Her Majesty Margareta, Custodian of the Crown of Romania, participated and shared her views on the work done over the past decades.
The evening began with an atmospheric concert in Romanian Athenaeum. The Romanian Athenaeum is a concert hall in the centre of Bucharest and a landmark of the Romanian capital city. Opened in 1888, the circular building is the city’s main concert hall.
The concert was broadcasted live on Romanian national television station TVR3. The classical concert was carried out by the best of the best Romanian singers and players, led by Conductor Tiberiu Soare. Among the performers were pianist Alexandra Dăriescu, violinist Remus Azoiței, soprano Valentina Nafornița, tenor Teodor Ilincăi and soprano Nelly Miricioiu. All of them are celebrities within Romania and the world of classical music.
The concert was followed by a grand gala dinner in the old royal palace in the centre of the capital Bucharest. The Royal Palace of Bucharest was the official residence for the kings of Romania until 1947 when the communist regime was installed after Michael of Romania’s forced abdication. Since 1950, the Royal Palace hosts the National Museum of Art of Romania. The Romanian Royal Family currently uses Elisabeta Palace as its official residence in Bucharest, but on special occasions, such as Saturday’s celebration, the palace is used by the Royal Family.
The Royal Palace is the largest and most significant royal residence in the country, containing emblematic official spaces such as the Throne Hall, the Royal Dining Hall and the monumental Voivodes’ Staircase. An equestrian statue of the first king of Romania, Carol I, stands in the centre of a large square.
Royal Central’s Senior Europe Correspondent, Oskar Aanmoen participated in all the celebrations of the day and described the events as follows: “This was a magnificent celebration for a magnificent occasion. The Romanian royals received guests from all over Europe and around the world with incredible hospitality. The day began with a presentation of charitable work followed by a lavish lunch for the guests which lasted for several hours accompanied by live traditional Romanian music. The classical concert in the evening was beautiful, and it was a touching speech held by Her Majesty’s sister. It is truly impressive to see the support the Romanian Royal Family has among the people. On several occasions, ordinary people came and gave flowers to the woman they regard as their queen. Her Majesty received a standing ovation on several occasions. The celebration ended with a standing buffet dinner in the old royal palace. I, myself, met and talked to all the royals. The Romanian Royal Family is truly and genuinely nice people who care about their country and people.”
In addition to Her Majesty and her husband Prince Radu, several members of the Royal Family attended. Her Majesty’s sisters, Princess Sophie and Princess Elena attended, as did Crown Prince Leka of Albania and his wife, Princess Elia. Her Majesty Margareta, Custodian of the Crown of Romania is one of the most respected people in Romania and her ratings are much higher than any other elected politicians.
In the summer of 2019, Her Majesty was unanimously re-elected for a second term as President of the Romanian Red Cross. In 2018, Her Majesty received the accolade of Romania’s Most Influential Woman in 2018. The award was given to Her Majesty in recognition of her activity in promoting Romania to the world and its sustained efforts to build and consolidate a healthy society.
