Romanian president finally impeached

Romanians have difficulties to decide whom they most detest – their president, their prime minister, or simply the entire political caste (they are not alone in that!). Hundreds of demonstrators have been gathering in cities across the country.

Some of them carry placards condemning Prime Minister Victor Ponta, while others slam his arch-rival, president Traian Basescu, who faces impeachment proceedings in the national parliament.

A third group would simply like to be rid of both.

On 6th July the country’s parliament voted to impeach president Traian Basecu. In a joint sitting of both houses of parliament 256 out of 432 MPs and senators voted in favour of removing Basescu from office 217 would have been sufficient to tell him to leave. For the vote to take effect the Romanian people have a final say. Within 30 days a referendum must be held. The most likely date for the referendum is 29th July.

Prime Minister Ponta’s coalition government took office only in May, fired the speakers of both houses of parliament and the ombudsman this week and threatened to sack judges of the Constitutional Court as well.

The German press agency DPA reported from Bucharest:

"During Basuscu’s eight years in office, he has repeatedly imposed his will on the formation of governments, paying little heed to the balance of political forces in parliament.

"He has made full use of his constitutional power to propose a candidate for prime minister, forcing through coalitions between the PDL and smaller parties to head off the PSD and PNL, which enjoyed a small relative majority.

"Ponta came to power at the end of April, after PDL members deserted their party in droves to join the opposition, bringing down the government through a vote of no confidence.

"The “deserters” were seen to have abandoned their party due to a loss of popularity. The PDL had pushed through austerity measures imposed by the IMF and European Union, cutting civil service salaries by 25%, freezing pensions and increasing value-added tax by five points to 24%.

"As a result, the PDL saw its share of the vote sink to a low of 15% in local elections at the beginning of June, while the PSD and PNL took almost 50%.

"Ponta could have waited for parliamentary elections scheduled for the autumn, confident that this trend would hold and that his alliance would secure victory, observers have mused.

"His decision, instead, to attempt to topple Basescu by democratically dubious means is thought to have two reasons.

"Firstly, he may be fearful of the judiciary, which he considers to be controlled by Basescu. Ponta’s political mentor, Adrian Nastase, prime minister in 2000-2004, is in jail for his role in a political funding scandal.

"And secondly, Ponta could be out for vengeance, as he believes Basescu to be behind the plagiarism allegations that have tarnished him. Ponta is said to have copied 85 pages of his 400-page dissertation without having cited the sources as required."

No referendum on the form of state
Unfortunately the proposed referendum will not be on the form of state, but only of the office holder. Basescu is certainly one of the worst presidents in Europe, but Romania’s problems lie deeper. Only in January 2012 the Romanian media reported: Wave of sympathy for King Mihai.

“According to an IMAS poll published last week by ‘Adevarul’ daily, the level of confidence in King Mihai stood at 25.7 per cent in December, being higher than that of president Traian Basescu (12.9 per cent) and in Premier Emil Boc (9.7 per cent) taken together.”

Traian Basescu is an old adversary of King Michael and certainly dislikes the King’s popularity. In October 2011, when the Romanian parliament celebrated the 90th birthday of King Michael, Traian Basescu boycotted the event, while most MPs cheered the monarch’s speech (according to International Business Times.)

The king addressed parliament in Bucharest for the first time in more than 60 years and he asked parliamentarians to upgrade democracy in the country and restore the dignity of the people.

Referring to the fall in 1989 of the Communist dictatorship of Nicolae Ceausescu, the king said: "The last 20 years have brought democracy, freedom and a beginning of prosperity. The time has come after 20 years to... break for good with the bad habits of the past" [such as] "demagogy, selfishness and attempts to cling to power. It is within our power to make this country prosperous and worthy of admiration".”

He added: "We cannot have a future without respecting the past. The royal crown is not a symbol of the past but a unique representation of our independence, sovereignty and unity.”

Before the festive event Basescu had launched a stinging attack on King Michael, accusing him of being responsible for the Holocaust in Romania, and calling him "a Russian lackey."

In an interview Basescu said as Michael was head of state during the pro-fascist regime of dictator Marshal Ion Antonescu — prime minister from 1940 to 1944, during World War II — he should also be considered responsible for the death of some 280,000 Jews and 11,000 Gypsies.

In 1944, when Romania was allied with Germany, Michael staged a coup against Antonescu, and Romania switched sides to the Allies.

Basescu called Michael "a Russian lackey" in the interview, adding that his abdication — forced by Soviet-backed Communists on 30th December 1947 — was "an act of treason."

In November 1947, with the communists gaining a hold over Romania and the region King Michael surprised the government by returning to Bucharest after attending the royal wedding of Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip in London. A month later the Soviet-backed communist government told him if he did not sign his abdication, 1,000 Romanians would be executed. He abdicated on 30th December 1947 and began a life of exile in Britain and Switzerland. His Romanian citizenship was restored in 1997.

Basescu, who insulted King Michael, was himself a member of the notorious secret agency Securitate, but claimed “his links with the former Securitate were minimal”
And Queen Helena, The Queen Mother, was subsequently honored by the Yad Vashem Museum in Israel for rescuing Romanian Jews.

The crisis in Romania could signify the need for an overall change of the political structure in Romania. Famous actor Ion Caramitru believes that King Michael of Romania was the only personality capable of restoring morality in the country and speaks about the toxicity of “turncoat communists” and of the former secret police officers who got into business. In an interview with ‘Adevarul,’ published in a translation of in the Bucharest Herald) the manager of the Bucharest National Theatre says he did not abandon his attitude of social militant, though he stays away from politics today. Caramitru still believes in the political principles of Christian Democracy to restore the monarchy and increase the respect for religion.

“I am sad! For the last 20 years, King Michael I has been in the country… The monarchy could have become perfectly stable during all these years and we could have banished communism forever, by annulling the abdication of 1947, when the King was rudely forced to leave the country. The return to monarchy would have put an end to this fight over the first position in the state, for a president who has discretionary powers. This semi-absolute power could divert the state to other ends, while monarchy secures the first position in the states only in a symbolic manner… Monarchy was the only principle capable of restoring morality in the country. Without it, what did we do? We have the same communists, now turncoats, and the former secret police officers who got into business and obtained revolutionist’s certificates. The infamous people controlling us in the past are doing the same today. The country is dying and everything was stolen,” Ion Caramitru said.

Ion Caramitru: Ce-am facut fara monarhie? Tara e pe dric si e furata pana la Dumnezeu!

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Official Medal to commemorate King Michael of Romania's 90th birthday

For the first time, since he was forced to go into exile in 1947, an official jubilee medal has been struck with the head of King Michael of Romania's (Regele Mihai I) . The present Romanian authorities made this possible to commemorate the Monarch's 90th birthday on 25th October.

The Jubilee Medal was presented to His Majesty on 3rd October at the National Bank of Romania by Mugur Isarescu, Governor of National Bank of Romania.

The Jubilee Medal was launched in collaboration with the National Bank of Romania, to stress the link between sovereignty and currency, according to Article 88 of the Constitution of 1923, and was issued in the name of King. The last two coins bearing His Majesty's image were issued in 1947, with values of 10,000, and 5 lei [before and after stabilization of the currency].


Like coins, His Majesty's Jubilee Medal on the front bears the King's profile and the reverse is the Great Arms of Romania. It is made of unvarnished gold "tombac nepatinat", and was created by Mr. Cristian Ciornei [design] and Vasile Gabor [model].

In another move to celebrate Regele Mihai's landmark birthday, the Romanian Parliament decided to invite the King Michael to attend a formal sitting on his birthday. The decision was taken with 203 votes "for", three votes "against" and 46 abstentions. The abstentions came from the Liberal-Democrats and were meant as a protest against Romanian president Traian Băsescu's insulting remarks on King Michael.

The president is embattled after his plans to reorganize Romanian territory were refused by opposition parties and an ethnic Hungarian party whose support the government needs to survive.

King Michael is one of the few surviving World War II leaders and had good relations with the Jewish community when he was King, nevertheless Traian Băsescu accused the Monarch of being responsible for the Holocaust in Romania, and called him "a Russian lackey".

Ion Caramitru: What did we achieve without monarchy?
Meanwhile famous actor Ion Caramitru believes that King Michael was the only personality capable of restoring morality in the country and speaks about the toxicity of “turncoat communists” and of the former secret police officers who got into business. In an interview with ‘Adevarul,’ the manager of the Bucharest National Theatre says he did not abandon his attitude of social militant, though he stays away from politics today. Caramitru still believes in the political principles of Christian Democracy to restore the monarchy and increase the respect for religion.

“I am sad! For the last 20 years, King Michael I has been in the country… The monarchy could have become perfectly stable during all these years and we could have banished communism forever, by annulling the abdication of 1947, when the King was rudely forced to leave the country. The return to monarchy would have put an end to this fight over the first position in the state, for a president who has discretionary powers. This semi-absolute power could divert the state to other ends, while monarchy secures the first position in the states only in a symbolic manner… Monarchy was the only principle capable of restoring morality in the country. Without it, what did we do? We have the same communists, now turncoats, and the former secret police officers who got into business and obtained revolutionist’s certificates. The infamous people controlling us in the past are doing the same today. The country is dying and everything was stolen,” Ion Caramitru said.

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Royal Christmas Messages 2010

Her Majesty Queen Beatrix I of the Netherlands


Christmas Speech 2010
The song just sung, the first words read: "That is from the world's dark clouds, a light upon light absorbed." It is the light of Jesus' birth. His arrival on earth and the way he has gone for focusing on what gives life meaning and value. Christmas inspires reflect on what we find important. These are days of reflection on questions which we want to give attention to everything that we value for ourselves, each other and a future in which we can believe.

Every person needs a safe place and a life in harmony with others, together we are part of a society. Therefore we must ensure the base remains strong and balanced proportions. Fear of change leads to vague unrest and uncertainty about the future. Then comes the social fabric under tension. When people no longer recognize the familiar, distrust grows. But patience, respect and solidarity can counterbalance. It comes down to social solidarity. The challenge is always to each other in solving problems. Anyone who feels participant, is also strengthened in the sense of self.

Anyone who wishes to contribute to understanding and trust must be prepared to confront their own prejudices and his actions to assess the consequences for other people and the consequences for society as a whole. Each community has its roots in social awareness and responsibility takes over and over again. Humanity, compassion and solidarity are forces that bind and offer support in difficult times.

Support is also sought in personal life. In the power of people's convictions can find inner security. But when the waves are high in life takes courage to go to hold on to principles. Against the tide comes down to perseverance.

Stories from World War II, we know impressive examples of personal courage, when people themselves are not considered brave, but stood for their principles. Their choice had serious consequences for others and for themselves. Despite fear and despair she felt after all the strength to remain true to their faith in human solidarity.

That world of war, thankfully, long gone. In the narrative history of younger generations, therefore, play a role in other examples. Again, some people - far away and sometimes approaches - taking action where injustice prevails. There is still need courage to stay strong and brave opposition. We too may be asking yourself: where do we stand when it comes to justice?

The conscience is the touchstone that determines the choice. By working from principles to deal with good and evil is one's conscience is formed from childhood. Therein lies the basis of personal conviction and perseverance. Those who own choices must be addressed not only to themselves but also justify to others.

Every day we notice that on assumptions and expectations of the public interest differences of opinion. The danger exists that the joint is concealed and differences are magnified. Then walls of alleged contradictions raised and hardened positions. But it is important to seek what unites and to encourage one another.

Divergent views together of course with an open society. We can not deny the differences, but they see it as a starting point for social dialogue. It is not necessary to persuade each other to endure. That is the basis of mutual respect.

We also find encouragement in the sharing of values which have been shaped over the centuries. These are recognizable in many places where people find themselves together peacefully and work together. Traditionally this is based on tolerance, diligence and helpfulness. These principles are essential today. Treat others as you want them to treat you. Thus, Jesus is the famous golden rule - what you do not want done to yourself that even a non - formulated positively.

With the processes that govern human life we are all involved. In many respects we are linked. By focusing on a common perspective, we try to overcome fear and suspicion and a good balance between 'us' and 'them'. The message of faith, hope and love Christmas gives us inspiration and encouragement.

I wish you all a blessed Christmas to.

Beatrix R

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His Majesty King Juan Carlos I of Spain



¡Buenas noches!
Quiero que mis primeras palabras sean para transmitir de corazón a todos los españoles mis mejores deseos de paz, prosperidad y felicidad en estas Fiestas Navideñas y para el Año Nuevo 2011.

Llegamos al final de un año difícil y complejo, marcado por una crisis económica, en España y en otros países, más larga e intensa de lo esperado. En nuestro caso ha puesto de manifiesto desequilibrios y deficiencias estructurales que hemos de resolver juntos con eficacia y prontitud.

Lo más doloroso es que ha golpeado a tantos hombres y mujeres que han sufrido -en su propia carne o en sus familias- la pérdida de empleos. Los parados concentran nuestras preocupaciones; son una prioridad insoslayable. La sociedad española no puede dejar que, especialmente, tantos jóvenes carezcan por más tiempo de un trabajo.

Pienso asimismo en quienes han tenido que cerrar comercios, talleres o negocios. En todas las personas que han asumido grandes sacrificios y esfuerzos a lo largo de este año: trabajadores asalariados, autónomos, profesionales, empresarios, pensionistas o funcionarios. Todos ellos merecen nuestro más amplio respaldo. Sus múltiples desvelos diarios y los de millones de familias, cuentan con nuestra mayor gratitud pues contribuyen al bien de todos.

La crisis ha requerido la adopción de importantes decisiones por parte de nuestros poderes e instituciones públicas a todos los niveles. A escala europea ha exigido concertar nuevas iniciativas. Pese a ciertos signos alentadores, todavía no se ha logrado una plena estabilización y recuperación internacional.

Es preciso seguir adelante con empeño, ganar la batalla al paro con decisión, constancia y firmeza; mejorar en productividad y competitividad, en educación e innovación; y volver a situar a nuestra economía con visión de futuro en el pelotón de cabeza, manteniendo nuestra protección y cohesión social.

Sin un crecimiento adecuado no crearemos empleo. Y para crecer como necesitamos, debemos proseguir y abordar juntos las reformas necesarias, cumpliendo además nuestros compromisos en materia presupuestaria y de déficit. Se trata de modernizar nuestro modelo productivo y de generar mayor confianza para reactivar nuestra economía, proyectando al mundo nuevos ejemplos de vitalidad y de impulso como sociedad.

Pudimos salir con éxito de anteriores crisis económicas. Disponemos de las condiciones y de los instrumentos necesarios para lograrlo de nuevo.

Somos una gran Nación, orgullosa de su pluralidad y diversidad, integrada en la Unión Europea con la que estamos comprometidos y por la que siempre hemos apostado. Un país de personas laboriosas y creativas, con una juventud espléndida, un inmenso y variado patrimonio cultural, modernas infraestructuras y muchas empresas punteras a escala internacional. La misma España que ha sido capaz de progresar y de superar con éxito muchas pruebas.

No hemos llegado hasta aquí para dejarnos vencer por las dificultades, para renunciar a nuestras ambiciones de construir un país cada vez mejor.

Debemos desterrar el desánimo, levantar la cabeza, aunar esfuerzos y continuar la faena, conscientes de lo que somos, de lo que ya tenemos y de lo que podemos avanzar.

Los nuevos tiempos requieren grandes compromisos por parte de todos. Si queremos ganar el futuro, debemos mirar más allá, estimular ilusiones y fortalecer capacidades, sabiendo que juntos llegaremos siempre más lejos.

Por todo ello, para salir de la crisis y asegurar nuevos horizontes de prosperidad y de bienestar, necesitamos unidad, responsabilidad y solidaridad. Estos son los mejores aliados para vencer dificultades y alimentar nuestras esperanzas. Los mismos que han guiado a otros países.

Creo que la actual situación ha puesto de relieve lo evidente: de cómo le vaya a España depende cómo le vaya a cada uno de los españoles. Por eso, no caben actitudes individuales ni colectivas de indiferencia o de egoísmo, que a la postre nos dañan a todos.

Nada que valga la pena se consigue sin renuncias y sin entrega. Es preciso fomentar el ejercicio de grandes valores y virtudes como la voluntad de superación, el rigor, el sacrificio y la honradez. Valores y virtudes cuya ausencia no es ajena al origen de la crisis, y que son consustanciales a toda sociedad justa y equitativa.

En definitiva, debemos unir nuestras fuerzas para alcanzar nuevos logros colectivos, con confianza en nosotros mismos y en nuestro país, contando con la acción de nuestras instituciones en el marco de convivencia y estabilidad que asegura nuestra Constitución.

Todos, empezando por nuestros partidos políticos y agentes económicos y sociales, somos importantes para conjugar voluntades en esta dirección, con generosidad, sentido de Estado y pensando en el interés general.

Quiero reiterar esta noche que el terrorismo solo suscita condena y repudio en cuantos defendemos la libertad y la democracia. No nos debe faltar determinación para acabar con esta lacra. Honremos y arropemos con todo nuestro cariño y solidaridad a las víctimas de la violencia terrorista y a sus familias.

Por otro lado, continuemos prestando la máxima atención a los excluidos y marginados, trabajando por la igualdad de oportunidades y en apoyo de los discapacitados. Redoblemos asimismo esfuerzos para combatir las drogas y terminar con la inaceptable violencia de género. Y por supuesto, cuidemos más nuestro entorno natural.

Nos jugamos mucho a diario en el mundo complejo y competitivo en que vivimos. Por eso tenemos que defender el papel y los intereses de España en el plano internacional y mantener nuestros compromisos con la paz y el desarrollo de muchas naciones necesitadas. En este marco dirijo mi gratitud y afecto, a los miembros de nuestras Fuerzas Armadas y Cuerpos de Seguridad desplazados en otros países, que han sufrido la pérdida de compañeros que permanecen en nuestro recuerdo.

Pero el año 2010 nos deja también alegrías, realizaciones y esperanzas, incluidos numerosos triunfos inolvidables en la historia de nuestro deporte. ¡Estoy convencido de que 2011 nos aportará nuevos éxitos y avances en muchos campos!

He contado siempre, y muy especialmente este año, con el afecto de los españoles y con el activo apoyo del Príncipe de Asturias. Al expresar mi agradecimiento quiero, una vez más, asegurar que sigo y seguiré cumpliendo siempre con ilusión mis funciones constitucionales al servicio de España. Es sin duda mi deber, pero es también mi pasión.

Quiero terminar reiterando mi plena confianza en España y en nuestros ciudadanos. Confianza en nuestra capacidad y fortaleza para dejar a nuestros hijos y nietos un país cada vez mejor, con mayor prosperidad en cada pueblo, ciudad y Comunidad Autónoma. En suma, plena confianza en que seguiremos progresando.

¡Muy feliz Navidad y Año Nuevo 2011, en nombre propio y de mi Familia, a todos los españoles y a cuantos extranjeros viven con nosotros!

Juan Carlos R


King Juan Carlos Urges Unity Amid Economic Woes

King Juan Carlos said his countrymen must act with unity, responsibility and solidarity as Spain grapples with high unemployment and a large budget deficit and also called for determination in the struggle against terrorism.

In his traditional Christmas message, aired nationwide Friday on radio and television, the monarch said 2010 has been “a difficult and complex year marked by an economic crisis – in Spain and other countries – that has been longer and more intense than expected.”

In Spain’s case, the king said, the economic struggles “have exposed structural imbalances and deficiencies that we must work together to correct quickly and effectively.”

“What’s most painful is that the crisis has affected so many men and women who have suffered job losses – either personally or within their families. The unemployed are the focus of our concerns; they’re an unavoidable priority,” he said.

The 72-year-old king added that Spanish society “especially cannot allow so many young people to go more time without work.”

“The crisis has forced our public authorities and institutions at all levels to take important decisions,” the king said, adding that it is “necessary to forge ahead with conviction, win the battle against unemployment with determination, perseverance and resolution and to make improvements in terms of productivity and competitiveness, education and innovation.”

Juan Carlos was referring to recent moves by Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero’s government aimed at boosting investment and job creation and calming fears that Spain may require an Ireland- or Greece-style bailout by the European Union and the IMF.

In May, the government pushed an austerity plan through Parliament that included a pay cut for public employees and a suspension of cost-of-living adjustments for most pensioners.

A bill to overhaul Spain’s pension system is due to be sent to Parliament early next year, while other moves aimed at reducing the budget deficit to 3 percent of GDP by 2013 from last year’s level of more than 11 percent include a hike in the tobacco tax and a plan to partially privatize the company that manages Spain’s airports.

The king stressed the need to reorient Spain’s economy with an eye on the future while “maintaining social protection and cohesion” and said the country must “modernize” its productive model.

Alluding to an unemployment rate of around 20 percent, the highest in the European Union, and a gross domestic product that stood still in the third quarter, the monarch also urged Spaniards to “banish despondency, lift up your heads, unite your efforts and continue the struggle, aware of what we are, of what we have and what we can still achieve.”

“These new times require a great commitment by all of you,” he said, stressing unity, responsibility and solidarity as necessary elements “for emerging from the crisis and ensuring new horizons of prosperity and well-being.”

“These are the best allies for overcoming difficulties and fueling our hopes,” he added.

The effects of the global recession were aggravated in Spain by the collapse of a long construction and property boom that made the country’s economy the envy of most of Madrid’s partners in the European Union.

Separately, the king also urged “determination in ending the scourge” of terrorism and called on Spaniards to “honor and show affection and solidarity with the victims of terrorist violence and their families.”

Basque terrorist group ETA has killed more than 800 people since 1968 in its campaign for an independent Basque nation in parts of northern Spain and southwestern France, while radical Muslims were responsible for Spain’s worst-ever terrorist incident: the March 11, 2004, bombings on four Madrid commuter trains that left nearly 200 dead and 1,800 injured.

Referring to the “excluded and marginalized,” the king stressed the importance of continuing to offer them “maximum attention” and urged his compatriots to continue working “for equality of opportunities and support for the disabled.”

“Let’s redouble our efforts to combat drugs and end unacceptable gender-related violence. And of course, let’s care for our natural environment.”

At the conclusion of his speech, the monarch reiterated his full confidence in Spain and its citizens as they strive to “leave our children and grandchildren with an even better country, with greater prosperity in every town, city and autonomous community.”

“Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from me and my family to all Spaniards and the numerous foreigners who live among us,” Juan Carlos said.

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His Majesty King Albert II of the Belgians



Mes chers compatriotes,

En ce temps de Noël et de Nouvel An, je voudrais d’abord partager avec vous un motif de satisfaction. De l’opinion unanime de nos partenaires européens, la Présidence belge de l’Union européenne, pendant le second semestre de cette année, a été particulièrement réussie. Dans nombre de domaines très différents des progrès importants ont été réalisés. Je pense entre autres à la stratégie économique européenne, aux mesures pour éviter le retour des crises financières, au budget européen, aux réalisations en matière commerciale et diplomatique, aux relations entre l’Europe et l’Asie. De nombreux chefs d’Etat et de gouvernement ainsi que des dirigeants d’institutions européennes, m’ont fait part spontanément de leur admiration à ce sujet. Cela illustre bien les talents de notre pays lorsqu’il s’agit de rapprocher des points de vue en trouvant des compromis. Notre diversité nous aide dans ces domaines.

Et pourtant, cet art du compromis, il me semble qu’au sein de notre propre pays, nous l’avons quelque peu oublié ces dernières années. D’où ma préoccupation et ma ferme volonté de lancer un appel à tous nos responsables et à tous les citoyens.

Notre pays a l’occasion de se transformer en profondeur pour mieux répondre aux attentes de nombreux Belges, et pour affronter les défis à venir. Désormais, après plus de 6 mois de négociation tous les éléments se trouvent sur la table pour réaliser une réforme profonde de l’Etat. Il y aurait un important transfert de compétences aux Régions et Communautés, une autonomie et une responsabilisation beaucoup plus poussées des entités fédérées, y compris sur le plan fiscal, un refinancement de Bruxelles et le maintien d’une réelle solidarité au sein de notre pays. En même temps, il sera nécessaire d’assurer le financement dans la durée de l’Etat fédéral pour exercer les compétences et les obligations qu’il continuera à assumer vis-à-vis de tous les Belges, mais aussi sur le plan européen et dans le monde. Il faudra également inclure une solution pour BHV et définir des règles en matière d’éthique politique.

Il s’agit donc de trouver des compromis équilibrés qui tiennent compte des aspirations légitimes des uns et des autres. Dans un tel accord il ne doit pas y avoir de perdants. Nous devons trouver des solutions ou chacun est gagnant.

Dans la recherche de cet accord raisonnable il est évident que chaque partie devra faire des concessions. Chacun aura donc l’obligation de prendre ses responsabilités. Le moment est venu où le vrai courage consiste à chercher fermement le compromis qui rassemble, et non à exacerber les oppositions.

Si un tel accord se réalise, un nouveau gouvernement fédéral pourrait être constitué. Avec les entités fédérées, il sera à même de prendre des mesures nécessaires pour sauvegarder le bien- être de la population, et pour rétablir la confiance au sein du pays. C’est cela que tous nos concitoyens attendent.

Lorsque nous réussirons, car je suis convaincu que nous le pouvons, nous redeviendrons à nouveau un exemple d’entente, et un facteur d’unité dans un monde qui en a grandement besoin. Nous pourrons présenter l’image juste d’un pays qui parvient dans la paix, à se transformer profondément. Nos partenaires européens, et tous les autres pays, constateront que la Belgique demeure un Etat responsable auquel ils peuvent faire confiance.

Cet appel que je vous lance solennellement à tous, je l’adresse évidemment en premier lieu aux responsables politiques, mais aussi aux responsables économiques, sociaux, culturels et des médias. Tous, par nos actions, par notre comportement, nous devons avoir le courage d’être des artisans de paix.

C’est le souhait chaleureux, que la Reine et moi et toute notre famille vous adressons de tout cœur, en ces fêtes de Noël et de Nouvel An.

Wir alle müssen bei unseren Aktionen und unserem Vorgehen den Mut aufbringen Friedensstifter zu sein.

Das wünschen Ihnen zu diesen Weihnachts- und Neujahrsfeiern die Königin, ich selbst und unsere ganze Familie von Herzen.

Albert R

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His Majesty King Harald V of Norway

Kongens nyttårstale 2010



King Harald V touched on national pride and Norwegian prosperity in his annual address on New Year’s Eve, and the need to become better and “bigger.” He cautioned, however, against situations where personal dignity and self-worth can be challenged, not least in the case of foreigners trying to adjust to life in Norway. He spoke of how difficult it is to be an asylum seeker or immigrant in Norway, because they’re not always welcome in the workforce or community.

“Every single person has resources that can be used in our society, regardless of nationality, health, age or social factors,” King Harald said. He said Norway’s emerging “multi-cultural competence” must be put to use, because it will be “steadily more important for us in a smaller world.”

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His Royal Highness Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg


(version LU)
(version FR)

Léif Letzebuerger, léif Matbierger,
Wa mir haut op Hellgerowend op d’Joer zréckkucken, dann erënnere mir eis u vill schéi Momenter, ma och un eenzel vläicht méi schwéier Passagen. Ech hoffen, datt fir jidderee vun Iech déi positiv Evenementer iwwerweien.

Och wann dëst Joer munnech sozial, politesch a wirtschaftlech Problemer d’Aktualitéit markéiert hunn, gouf et dach a verschidde Secteure vun eiser Economie eng Reprise. Vill Leit hei am Land awer spieren nach ëmmer d’Auswierkungen vun der Kriis a si veronséchert. Heiheem wéi an der Welt gëtt dacks d’Fro gestallt: Wéi geet et virun?

Besonnech wëll ech haut un all déi Matbierger denken, déi ënner Aarmutt, Chômage a sozialer Ausgrenzung leiden an duerch schwéier Zäite ginn. Hinnen all gëllt et, grad och op Chrëschtdag, eng Hand ze reechen.

Zwou Froen, déi ech d’lescht Joer op dëser Plaz gestallt hunn, wéilt ech haut verdéiwen: "War eis Gesellschaft net vläicht ze vill vum séiere Profit geblennt? Hu mir eigentlech iwwerhaapt richteg un d’Zukunft geduecht?"

Eist Handelen, léif Matbierger, huet ëmmer mat eiser Fassong ze dinn, wéi mir mat eise Matmënschen ëmginn. Begéine mir hinne mat Respekt, sou seet dat vill iwwer eis selwer aus. Wann awer séiere Profit eist Zil ass an eleng d’Geld zielt, da verléiere mir d’Uechtung virun deem Aneren a virun der Gesellschaft.

Eist Schaffen, a klenge wéi a groussen Actiounen, huet ëmmer eng sozial an eng ethesch Dimensioun. Wirtschaftlecht Handelen ass a bleift en Deel vum gesellschaftleche Handelen. Emmer dann, wann d’Economie an d’Finanzwelt vun der Gesellschaft a vun der Politik lassgekoppelt agéieren, musse mer eis an Uecht huelen.

Et gëtt kee Grond, d’Economie vun der Ethik lasszeléisen, schreift den indesche Nobelpreisdréier Amartya Sen. "L’économie moderne s’est trouvée considérablement appauvrie par la distance qui a éloigné l’économie de l’éthique." D’Wirtschaft ass fir de Mënsch do, a net de Mënsch fir d’Wirtschaft. Dofir musse mir op zwou grouss Froen eng Äntwert fannen: Wéi soll ee liewen? Wéi eng Gesellschaft wëlle mir?

Wéi soll ee liewen? Et ass ze kuerz gegraff, mam Fanger op anerer ze weisen. Jidderee vun eis dréit Verantwortung. Jiddereen ass en Acteur a kann eis Gesellschaft, eis Economie an eis Emwëlt duerch säi perséinlecht Handelen positiv beaflossen. Emmer rëm iwwer séng eege "Façon de vivre" nozedenken, ass e ganz wichtegen Exercice. Verantwortung a Vertrauen ginn hei Hand an Hand.

Wéi eng Gesellschaft wëlle mir? Sécher wëlle mir all eng Gesellschaft, wou jidderee seng Plaz huet a wou et gerecht zougeet. Nëmme wann de Mënsch an Dignitéit liewen a schaffe kann, ass de soziale Fridden op Dauer garantéiert. Ech lueden dofir jidder eenzelnen an, bei all Striewe no Profit de "Bien commun" net aus den An ze verléieren an deenen eng Hand ze reechen, déi an Nout sinn.

Ech sinn iwwerzeegt, datt e neien Opschwong méiglech ass, deen eng wierklech Perspektiv a Sécherheet bidd. Dat verlaangt vun eis all en Emdenken, ma de positiven Impakt op eist Zesummeliewen sollt eis dat wäert sinn. An enger Zäit, wou eis sozial a wirtschaftlech Relatiounen ëmmer méi virtuell ginn, kritt d’Cohésion sociale, fir déi ech mech zanter zéng Joer asetzen, eng nei Bedeitung.

Léif Matbierger, vergiesse mer ni, datt et hei am Land formidabel Beispiller vu Matenaner a Solidaritéit ginn, och iwwer d’Grenzen eraus. Den Engagement vu ganz ville Bénévolen a Professionnellen am soziale Secteur zeechent eist Land aus. Doropper kënne mir houfreg sinn.

Bei eise soziale Visiten hei am Land erliewen d’Grande-Duchesse an ech ëmmer rëm mat wéi engem groussen Asaz vill Organisatiounen an öffentlech Servicer sech an den Déngscht vum Mënsch stellen. Glécklecherweis gi sech och ëmmer méi Entreprisen hirer sozialer Verantwortung bewosst. Och den Intressi un alternative Wirtschaftsformen hëllt zou. Ech denken hei un d’Economie sociale et solidaire, déi der Grande-Duchesse esou staark um Häerz leit. Ech félicitéieren all Acteure fir hieren Engagement an encouragéiere si, an dëser wichteger Richtung virun ze fueren.

Chers amis étrangers,
Lors de notre récente visite d'Etat au Portugal, la Grande-Duchesse et moi-même avons été très touchés par l'accueil chaleureux que ce merveilleux pays nous a réservé. Il témoigne des liens profonds qui unissent nos deux pays, notamment à travers la présence au Luxembourg de nombreux citoyens d'origine portugaise. Votre présence et celle de toutes les autres communautés est et reste indispensable pour le bien-être de notre société et doit nous encourager à œuvrer en commun pour un avenir prometteur.

Léif Lëtzebuerger,
Grad an dëser Zäit ass et wichteg, zesummen ze stoen, sou wéi d’Lëtzebuerger Vollék et schonn dacks a sénger Geschicht gemaach huet. De Wee aus dëser Kriis däerf net an d’Aarmutt féieren. Am Géigendeel, de Wee kann zu engem neien a méi responsable Matenaner an der Gesellschaft féieren, vun deem mir all profitéieren. Mir hunn eis Zukunft selwer an der Hand. Loosse mir dës Chance notzen.

Léif Matbierger,
Op Hellgerowend wënschen ech Iech all, och am Numm vun der Grande-Duchesse, vu méngem Papp, dem Grand-Duc Jean, a vun eise Kanner, e schéint Chrëschtfest an e glécklecht neit Joer.

Henri GD

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His Imperial Majesty Emperor Akihito of Japan


Emperor Akihito shared his impressions on this year's nationwide "missing centenarians" issue and other noteworthy events in a recent press conference held on the occasion of his 77th birthday on Dec. 23.

"It has now become evident that, among those elderly who were thought to be well and sound, there are some whose fate and whereabouts are unknown, which is most regrettable," the Emperor said, pointing to the issue as one of the news topics that struck him most.

Emperor Akihito also frankly talked about issues relating to his aging, saying, "I have become somewhat hard of hearing, so when I receive people, I ask those around me to tell this to them and to ask them to try to talk to me in a louder voice. When watching the news and other programs on television, I can understand what the announcers are saying but when it comes to listening to the other people's conversations on TV, I find myself often relying on subtitles."

The Emperor then continued, "It is my sincere hope that there will be further understanding of the needs of the elderly and that more and more attention will be paid to make buildings and towns better equipped to serve the needs of the elderly."

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His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden



Sverige Jultal 2010

Dear Swedes at home and abroad.

I want to wish everyone a happy Christmas.

When I look out the window here at the palace - this cold and snowy winter in 2010 - I see the National Museum by the snowstorm across the stream. It displays the exhibition "Master Art". It is one of the many manifestations of this year has been given to Bernadotte Jubilee.

This year marks the 200th anniversary of the Swedish parliament gathered in Örebro and chose Napoleon's Marshal Jean Baptiste Bernadotte as the new heir apparent. It was the beginning of the long period of peace which we have been lucky enough to experience ever since, a benefit that few other countries on earth to share with you. During the Oslo period as heir to the throne and later ruler was also the foundation for modern Sweden, including a new infrastructure, banking and education.

My family and I participated in the commemoration of the tronföljarvalet in Örebro this year. We also attended the celebrations in Helsingborg by 200-year memory when Jean Baptiste Bernadotte first landed on Swedish soil - a stormy day, on 20 October. We had well maybe no further luck with the weather, but it did not dampen the party atmosphere. I was especially glad that my cousin, Queen Margrethe of Denmark, also participated in the celebration.

Christmas is a time when we may pause for a while to gather with our loved ones. It is a time for socializing with family, relatives and friends. But we must also remember that there is anyone who has one or more to share Christmas joy with.

To all of you who are alone or ill this Christmas, I would make an especially warm greeting. It is my hope that you too can feel something of the joy of Christmas, and that next year will be a better and more joyful year for you. There lies a special responsibility on us as a Christmas can gather in fellowship with our loved ones. We must reach out and include them in our neighborhood who are not as fortunate. This is the Christmas message of love.

Christmas is also a time for reflection of the past year, and hopes for the new.

A big event for me and my family during the year was when our oldest daughter, and heir to the throne of Sweden, Crown Princess Victoria was ordained by his Daniel on June 19. It was a glorious day of celebration, and our joy was shared with all those hundreds of thousands who had gathered along the motorcade route and below the castle, and with all the millions who followed the wedding on television all over the country and abroad. I want to express my and my family's heartfelt thanks for all the appreciation and warmth that has come to Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel.

In my Christmas speech last year, I mentioned that the Queen and I intend to fulfill a dream for a long time, to create a forum to highlight children and young people in the world. The aim is to inspire and support the UN Children's Convention are complied with. Recently, also took the first World Child and Youth Forum held at the Royal Palace with more than 400 participants. This was met not only representatives of the various child welfare organizations, but also many children and adolescents. This particular dialogue between the generations is important - something that the Queen stressed in his opening speech.

Last spring, did Queen and a state visit to Brazil. I also visited China soon after the inauguration of the Shanghai World Expo, and Crown Princess and Prince Daniel was there last fall. We found that the Swedish pavilion did well among the 190 countries. There is great interest in China for what Sweden and the Swedish company stands for: quality, sustainable development, new technologies and innovations.

In Sweden we can for now rejoice in the strong economic growth. Exports are growing and employment has begun to increase. But we have reason to respect for those in the financial turmoil abroad and what it can get for the consequences.

Our planet is vulnerable. I tend to think of Earth as an apple - with the crust as thin as an apple peel.

How fragile, this shell is, we were reminded several times during the past year. Haiti was hit by an earthquake in which perhaps as many as 200,000 people died. During the year, there was also strong earthquakes in China, Turkey, and Mexico. Volcanic eruption in Iceland - when apple shell burst, so to speak - leading to a large part of air traffic in Europe had to be canceled due to the emission of ash.

We also damaged the earth's surface. Oil rig that exploded in the Gulf of Mexico resulted in a major oil spill, where oil continued to flow out for several months.

If the Earth is an apple, so is life on the planet - humans, animals and plants - as delicate as the dew on an apple that can be easily rub off on your sleeve. We must do everything to protect Earth's environment and promote sustainable development. We must succeed in reconciling the poor countries for economic development with the need for measures to ensure our common future on Earth.

Many were disappointed over the outcome of the UN environment meeting in Copenhagen last year. It is therefore encouraging that the recent meeting in Cancun in Mexico seems to have yielded results - results that point to a better future development, although it is far from binding international agreements.

These are urgent problems, for we are just more and more. The earth's population will already in 2050 to be three times as large as it is today. How can we get food, water and energy sufficient while creating a sustainable development that preserves the environment?

The answer to that question is better knowledge. A knowledge based on scientific facts. It is certainty in an age when more and more people imagine that astrology is a science.

This was the issues discussed when the ten royal academies gathered at the palace last month for another round of seminars in the series' crown of Knowledge ".

Yes, we can be pleased that Sweden is far ahead as a knowledge nation. The Swedish universities and colleges position themselves better in the annual, international comparisons. In Sweden, also creates several new internationally competitive research.

In Lund, built for example, two new international center for advanced materials research, MAX IV and ESS. Furthermore, it interacts KTH, Karolinska Institutet and Uppsala University in a resource center for large-scale research in molecular life sciences and medicine.

During the past year we have gained new insights into early human origins. A Swedish scientist, Svante Pääbo, have managed to map the genetic heritage of ours, long extinct, nearest relative, Neanderthals. By comparing this genome and our own, we have unprecedented insight into what makes us unique - for example, our qualified consciousness and intellect, and our developed social skills. Let us use these properties to the best of its ability to create a better world for all.

I will conclude with a few lines from the Queen Silvia's prayer book. It is a prayer written by Archbishop Anders Wejryd:

"Help us to cultivate the vitality you have in your creation,
So that we become managers rather than consumers,
Builder and not destructive "

With these words, I ask once again get to wish you a merry Christmas, and send you my best wishes for the New Year.

Carl XVI Gustaf R
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His Majesty King Michael I of Romania

Mesajul Majestății Sale Regelui Mihai I de Crăciun 2010


Români,

Pentru câteva minute, vă spun bun găsit din liniștea căminului nostru de la Săvârșin. Am trecut cu toții printr-un an greu, cu destule suferințe și nemulțumiri. Dar, în viața multora dintre noi au existat și motive de bucurie și speranță.

Felicit pe cei care au reușit performanțe economice, mai ales micii întreprinzători și companiile mijlocii. Felicit pe tineri și pe profesorii din universități, licee și școli, care au continuat munca lor importantă, în ciuda greutăților. Felicitări celor din agricultură, care au reușit să meargă mai departe, deși rămași fără resurse și încurajare. Felicit funcționarii publici, diplomații, militarii, oamenii de artă, pentru stăruința lor de a-și face datoria, deși puternic încercați de lipsa banilor și descurajați instituțional.

Sunt mâhnit pentru toate momentele prin care mamele, oamenii bătrâni și cei bolnavi sunt nevoiți să treacă.

România are nevoie de infrastructură și de instituții respectate. Agricultura nu este un domeniul al trecutului istoric, ci al viitorului. Școala este o piatră de temelie a societății. Universitățile răspund administrativ față de guvernare, dar au nevoie să fie libere din punct de vedere organizatoric și științific.

Regina și cu mine, alături de Familia noastră, am mers în orașele și comunele țării, încurajând profesii, inițiative, organizații și instituții. Am făcut în anul care se încheie multe vizite internaționale, în care am susținut interesele fundamentale ale României.

Suntem cu gândul la militarii români din teatrele de operații. Sunt mândru de sutele de mii de români aflați la lucru în străinătate, pentru o viață mai bună și mai demnă. Ei ajută mult familiile lor și România.

Toate guvernele europene au acum greutăți. Criza economică obligă la măsuri impopulare. Totuși, există multe feluri de a micșora asprimea consecințelor pentru populație. 2011 va fi poate ceva mai bun, dar vor exista dificultăți, drept pentru care țara trebuie să fie protejată.

Sper ca anul viitor să aducă respect și etică în instituții, simț al datoriei și altruism în viața publică. Valorile și competența ar trebui să fie criteriile noastre. Aveți încredere în democrație, în rostul instituțiilor publice și în regulile lor!

Așa să ne ajute Dumnezeu!

Mihai R

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His Royal Highness Crown Prince Alexander II of Serbia

CHRISTMAS MESSAGE - GREGORIAN CALENDAR 2010


On the day we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the day of great joy for all Christians, I wish the citizens of Serbia and people across the world who celebrate Christmas by the Gregorian calendar the very best wishes from my family and myself. May everyone enjoy peace, love and happiness.

My family joins me in wishing all of you a peaceful and Happy Christmas and a very Happy New Year 2011.

Peace on Earth and goodwill for all!

Christ is born!

Alexander

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Joyeux Noël à tous et toutes!



La princesse Philomena et le prince Gaston se joignent à moi pour souhaiter à chacun et chacune d'entre vous de fêter la Nativité la joie au cœur. En France et ailleurs dans le monde, nombreux sont ceux qui traversent de graves difficultés ou même subissent de lourdes épreuves. En cette nuit de grâce, sentons-nous profondément proches et solidaires les uns des autres – et entretenons la plus capétienne des vertus : l'espérance !

Joyeux Noël à tous et toutes!


Le Prince Jean de France, Duc de Vendôme

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A Royal summit in Serbia

The website of the Serbian Royal Family is certainly one of the best of a royal dynasty – easy access, accurate and well up-to-date. Of special significance are the photos displayed on the website. All living Balkan Kings (with the exception of King Leka I of the Albanians) posed for a photo: HM King Simeon II of the Bulgarians (*16th June 1937), HRH Crown Prince Alexander II of Serbia (*17th July 1945), HM King Michael I of Romania (*25th October 1921) and HM King Constantine II of the Hellenes (*2nd June 1940).

On 17th September Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander II and Crown Princess Katherine celebrated their 25th wedding. Among the guests were among others Their Majesties King Constantine and Queen Anne-Marie of the Hellenes, King Simeon and Queen Margarita of the Bulgarians, King Michael of Romania, Their Royal Highnesses Crown Princess Margarita and Prince Radu of Romania, Their Royal Highnesses Prince Guillaume and Princess Sibilla of Luxembourg, Princess Irene of Greece, Princess Desiree, Baroness Silfverschiöld of Sweden and Baron Niclas Silfverschiöld, Princess Margarita of Baden, Their Serene Highnesses Prince Philipp Erasmus and Princess Isabelle of Liechtenstein and Her Serene Highness Princess Ira von Fürstenberg.

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A Birthday celebration worthy of a Crown Princess

Crown Princess Margarita of Romania turned 60 on 26th March as I wrote four days ago. Her family celebrated the heiress' birthday with a Gala Dinner on 26th March 2009, in the Palatul Casei de Economii si Consemnatiuni (CEC Bank Palace) in the Romanian capital Bukarest.

This information comes from Prince Radu's blog, where he wrote on the celebrations and published the photos I used.

King Michael I of Romania and his eldest daughter, Crown Princess Margarita.


Romania's Crown Princess' birthday was celebrated in style, in the Palatul Casei de Economii si Consemnatiuni in the Romanian capital Bukarest.

Inside the Palatul Casei de Economii si Consemnatiuni a banquet was prepared in honour of the Crown Princess, which was attended by Romanian and foreign dignitaies.

Crown Princess Margarita during her speech at the banquet.

Crown Princess Margarita and her husband, Prince Radu of Hohenzollern-Vehringen.

The Romanian Royal Family, 26th March 2009.

King Michael's decendents, Princess Elena , PrincessIrina and Nicolae de Romania who celebrates his 24th birthday on 1st April 2009.

Nelly Miricioiu performing for the royal audience.

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Romania's Crown Princess turned 60

Crown Princess Margarita of Romania celebrated her 60th birthday on 26th March. Her father, King Michael I (in Romanian: Regele Mihai , *25th October 1921) was forced to abdicate on 30th December 1947.

In November 1947 the King attended the wedding of his cousins, Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark in London. There he met Princess Anna of Bourbon-Parma. On his return to Bukarest, the Romanian Communists who controlled the country objected the King founding a family and threatened to shoot 1,500 young people whom they had arrested, should he not abdicate. King Michael left Romania on the 3rd January 1948 feeling, as he once said, as if his heart had died. He had signed, under duress, an abdication that he never recognized.

He and Princess Anna were married on the 10th of June 1948 in Athens, at the invitation of King Paul I and Queen Frederica of the Hellenes. The ceremony took place at the Royal Palace of Athens.

Exile in Switzerland
From 1949 until 1950 the royal couple lived in Lausanne, where Princess Margarita, their first child, was born. Princesses Helena and Irina were also born in Switzerland, in 1951 and 1953 respectively. Princess Sophie was born in Athens in 1957 and Princess Marie in Copenhagen in 1964. In 1950 the Romanian Royal Family established itself in England, in Bramshill House in Hampshire and then in Ayot St-Lawrence, in Hertfordshire. There, the King and Queen ran a chicken farm and built a carpentry workshop. In 1955 the Romanian Royal Family settled in Switzerland in 1955.

Crown Princess Margarita spent her teenage years in Switzerland. For her higher education however, rather than heading straight for Paris and the Ecole des Beaux-Arts, her preferred destination, she was persuaded to spend a year with her grandmother, Queen Helena of Romania, a cousin of Prince Philip, in Florence.

"She taught me everything I know. Everything I am is thanks to her. She introduced me to people - diplomats, artists, people from the UN who were working in Ethiopia, Sudan, South Africa." As a result she spent some months working in refugee camps in Ethiopia.

Her years in Scotland
Dreams of art school were, to Queen Helena's relief, quickly replaced by a determination to go to university. A supporter of the Romanian cause offered to pay for her fees and the British consul was summoned.

"We looked through the UCCA handbook and I thought, 'Well, I won't get into Oxford so easily.' I didn't want to go to London because some of my parents' friends were there and I didn't want to get tied down. Scotland seemed so romantic and lovely."

In the early 70s she enrolled at the Edinburgh University. She became a member of the Student Representatives' Council, where she would meet the man who was to share her life for the next five years. Gordon Brown, “a socialist student firebrand” (The Daily telegraph in a long article on that romance) meets the beautiful young Princess. They fall in love. Political principles force them apart. He turns, not into a frog, but into Her Majesty’s Prime Minister. The five-year love affair between Gordon Brown and his Romanian Princess was such that all who knew them in their student days were convinced they would marry.

"She was the one great love of his life," a close friend of Brown's once said. "He has never got over it." The Princess remains friends with Brown and his family.

Crown Princess Margarita, as a great-great-great-granddaughter of Queen Victoria, was 81st in line to the British throne at that time and a goddaughter of Prince Philip - something she did not broadcast widely.

Working with the United Nations
After Edinburgh, Crown Princess Margarita specialised in medical sociology. In 1983 she joined the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organisation, transferring, three years later, to the International Fund for Agricultural Development. Six years later her life took a new course. In Romania, the dictator Nicolae Ceausescu had been executed. She decided to accompany her father on his return home.

"Getting on the plane was quite emotional. We didn't know what was going to happen to us," she recalls. "It was so strange to look out of the plane window and see the fields; they were huge." This was the first intimation of Ceausescu's collectivist policies that had destroyed rural communities.

"We stayed for a few days and found that villages had been knocked down and 150,000 children were living in orphanages. Ceausescu had wanted to boost the population. Family planning was forbidden, abortion was forbidden, women were compelled to have four children but they had nowhere to bring them up and had to give them to the state. A lot of children had Aids. It was a shock to the eyes and to the soul."

While she was visiting one orphanage, a child in a filthy cot died in front of her. It spurred her on to establish the Princess Margarita of Romania Foundation. "I just didn't want this ever to happen again," she says.

In practical terms, life was "quite difficult; we had nowhere to stay. We didn't have much money. I said to my father, 'I think I had better quit my career and come home.' He said, 'What for?'" Nevertheless, she abandoned her job with the UN and, as the eldest of five daughters, found a role as the family representative in Romania where she began work on her foundation.

Education was one of her first priorities. Romanian doctors, who had not been allowed contact with the West, thought that Aids was spread through the air. Conditions in health centres were, she says, "disgusting. We began to provide training not just for the medical team but for the children in the village about sex education and how to protect yourself from getting Aids."

One of the bodies with which the foundation worked was the Actors' Union, with resting actors providing art therapy for the children. One, who ended up directing an orphanage project, was Radu Duda. His association with Princess Margarita was to prove more than professional and in 1996 the couple married in Lausanne. Created Prince Radu of Hohenzollern-Veringen, he now has an official role with the Romanian government as a trade ambassador.

To make a donation to the Crown Princess Margarita of Romania Foundation, visit http://www.fpmr.ro/


The Crown Princess in her own words

HRH The Crown Princess Margarita of Romania's article for "Leaders" Magazine
Jan. Feb. March 2002, No 1 Vol 25
My country was one with which I was myself unacquainted, though I had grown up in its shadow. As a child I had grown to know it and yearn for it through the eyes and voice of my father, King Michael who was brutally forced by the communists to leave Romania in 1948. But I had never been warmed by its sunshine, never heard the wind in the trees, or felt its earth beneath my feet. My father would tell us stories about this distant land which he called home, and described with such love, longing - and constant pain. I read books about the painted monasteries of Moldavia and Bukovina, about the Danube Delta, we listened to Romanian music, we pored over old photograph albums. Later I read history books and raged at the injustice which had condemned 23 million people to a ruthless dictatorship, to hardship, darkness and hunger, locked behind the impenetrable and seemingly eternal Iron Curtain. The Romanians suffered and I searched for my roots, my history and my identity.

I do not believe that monarchy is the only solution to a country's political ills. But in Romania it remains a fact that the monarchy was removed by a Soviet diktat. And it is equally undeniable that the post-dictatorship transformation in many European states was assisted by historic personalities who either knew how to stabilise critical moments of crises, or project their sheer personality on the events. Does anyone deny that Spain's transformation in the 1970s would have taken a different, and altogether less favourable course if King Juan Carlos, my Father's good cousin, was not there?

My father encouraged me to set up a humanitarian foundation and immediately after that first trip to Romania I launched the work of the Princess Margarita of Romania Foundation with the aim of helping to rebuild Romania - a lifelong task to be accomplished through projects across the country, drawing on people's imagination, aiming to recreate social relations, dignity and hope.

The Foundation is established in Romania, the United Kingdom, the United States, Switzerland, France and Belgium. In the UK it is known as Princess Margarita of Romania Trust. This is a whole network which does fundraising activities for projects in Romania, as well as showing to a large number of people abroad the many faces and images of Romania.

We undertake projects in the areas of health, education, civil society development and culture. We encourage initiatives which develop people's potential to shape their own lives, and which can stimulate the revival of local communities, churches, health and educational establishments, and so help to restore a sense of civic responsibility.

Beneficiaries of the projects have included the elderly poor, hundreds of children in orphanages, children with HIV/AIDS, doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers and high school students, but just as the Foundation's programs provide help to disadvantaged categories we have also encouraged and supported that which is positive, dynamic and creative in Romania: non-governmental organisations working in the field of child protection, talented young artists, and playwrights. For instance we have a program aiming to provide Scholarships to Young Gifted Children in the Arts. Because of the very difficult economic situation in Romania, there is an enormous amount of poverty, and art has become a luxury. Faced with financial hardship, artistically talented children often become disheartened and find it impossible to go on studying, so they abandon what could be a promising career in the arts and do something else for which they do not care. So we are starting a programme of scholarships for high school students so that they can continue their studies in music, visual arts or dance. We are hoping to raise enough money this year to help 30 students, and we aim to increase that amount every year. Maybe some of you might get involved so that people your own age but less fortunate can be helped.


"Freedom and Hope in Romania"
American Women's Club in Geneva, 17th MAY 2001 By HRH Crown Princess Margarita of Romania

The work of the Foundation is based on one fundamental premise: that Romanian society, just as the societies of other East European states, must be recreated from the bottom up. And this can only be achieved through perseverance despite adversity; determination despite obstacles. Our work acts to coordinate and concentrate our operations away from areas now subject to world attention, by directing our efforts towards medium term grass roots pilot projects - in the areas of health, education, civil society development and culture. We encourage initiatives which develop people's potential to shape their own lives, and which can stimulate the revival of local communities, churches, health and educational establishments, and so help to restore a sense of civic responsibility and pride.

Education and capacity building in particular are built into all of our projects to help make a positive and meaningful change which will have an impact well beyond the life of any financial or technical support given by the Foundation and ensure that the programs achieve sustainability in the long-term.

To date beneficiaries of the projects have included many thousands of elderly poor: for instance last year we assisted over 32,000 senior citizens living well below any arbitrary poverty line, some, earn the equivalent of only $16 a month; other beneficiaries are about fifteen hundred institutionalized children and children with HIV/AIDS, healthcare workers and over 1000 high school students a year, but we also encourage and support that which is positive, dynamic and creative in Romania: non-governmental organizations working in the field of child protection, talented young artists, and playwrights.

There is an important issue that is facing Romania, and one that it has to solve, it is the problem of institutionalized children. It is paradoxical, but, in spite of all the changes that have taken place since 1989, there are still thousands of children living in institutions - over 80,000. In addition, there are about 6,000 children who are infected with the HIV/AIDS virus. In 1997-1998 the Romanian Government created an Agency for the Protection of Child Rights which has introduced a comprehensive reform policy for the de-institutionalization of children. The Foundation is one important partner NGO that is taking part in the formulation of the national strategy and has continuously provided feedback and shared the experience gathered in our programs.. The Foundation has several programs not only to help improve the quality of the lives of the kids in institutions but to support as a priority efforts to de-institutionalize them as well.
The aim is to close the orphanages.


Succession of King Michael
HM King Michael named, his eldest daughter, HRH Princess Margarita as his successor and Head of the Royal House of Romania and Custodian of the Romanian Crown after his death. The King mentioned: ‘If the Romanian Nation and Parliament were to decide to reinstate the Monarchy as the form of government’ the King will ask the Parliament ‘to cease to implement the Salic-law as the form of succession, which does not correspond either to the elementary rights in Europe today, or to the values of Romanian society’. A notable proportion of the Romanian population believes that a monarchy would bring the much-needed political stability to their country. Details on the reformed Romanian succession here.

The new Line of Succession to the Throne and to the Headship of the Royal House of Romania was decided by HM King Michael, in keeping with duty to History and to the heirs of the Family:

1. HRH Crown Princess Margarita of Romania, Custodian of the Crown of Romania
2. HRH Princess Helena of Romania
3. Nicholas de Roumanie Medforth Mills (who shall become HRH Prince Nicholas of Romania on 1st April 2010 – according to the Document of the Head of the Royal House, 5th January 2005)
4. Elisabeta Karina de Roumanie
5. HRH Princess Irina of Romania
6. Michael de Roumanie Kreuger
7. Angelica de Roumanie Kreuger
8. HRH Princess Sophie of Romania
9. Elisabeta Marie Biarneix
10. HRH Princess Marie of Romania

Nicholas de Roumanie Medforth Mills will assume the title, style and rank when upon his 25th anniversary or immediately the demise of the current Head of the Royal House and at that time he will enter in the order of succession to the Throne.

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