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King Mihai I returns home for final rest after decades of exile
By everything he did, Mihai I has put his entire life in the service of the Romanian nation and will remain in the collective memory as a symbol of the Romanian people's fight for freedom, on Wednesday wrote President Klaus Iohannis in the condolence book at the Peles Castle.
"A true leader has left us, representing our country with honour, bravery and patriotism, during hard times, becoming a landmark of identity and solidarity for our nation: His Majesty King Mihai I of Romania. By everything he did, Mihai I has put his entire life in the service of the Romanian nation and served with self-denial, dignity and responsibility the country he was born in. The Romanians loved him, respected him and I'm certain he will remain in the collective memory as a symbol of the Romanian people's fight for freedom," the president wrote on Wednesday afternoon, when coming to pay his last tribute to the former sovereign.
The coffin carrying King Michael I has been brought to Romania on Wednesday morning from Switzerland. The Spartan military plane that transported the coffin was redesigned specifically for this purpose, and landed at Henri Coanda Airport at 11 am.
Members of the Royal Family, representatives of the Government, of the Romanian Army and of His Majesty’s House were also on the military plane. Crown Princess Margaret, Custodian of the Romanian Crown, members of the Royal Family, and representatives of the Romanian Presidency, the Government, the Parliament, the Army and the Orthodox Church all waited for the coffin to arrive at Henri Coanda Airport, where a military ceremony took place.
King Michael’s coffin was taken to the Peles Castle in Sinaia, where it remained for a few hours
The coffin with King Mihai's body left on Wednesday evening the Peles Castle to be brought to Bucharest and laid at the Royal Palace.
The coffin was accompanied by Margareta, the Romanian Crown's Custodian, Prince Radu, and members of the Royal Family.
Upon departure, the 90 servicemen of the No. 2 Mountain Troops Brigade, of the 21st Battalion Mountain Troops "Leonard Mociulschi", of the 30th Guard Brigade "Mihai Viteazul" and of the Air Force Academy's military music saluted the king.
The coffin was borne by 8 servicemen of the 30th Guard Brigade "Mihai Viteazul".
Officials pay last hommage at Peles Castle
Klaus Iohannis said the memory of King Mihai I will forever remain alive in the Romanians' souls.
"In these sad moments, I send my condolence to the entire Royal Family. I am next to all of those who respect the memory of King Mihai I and who in these moments express their regrets for the passing away of one of the most prominent personalities of our history. I'm certain that the memory of King Mihai I will last forever alive in the souls of the Romanians. God rest him in peace," the president also wrote.
Speaker of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova, Andrian Candu, paid his last respects to King Mihai at the Peles Castle. Andrian Candu laid a wreath in front of the main entrance of the Peles Castle, after which he entered the Hall of Honor, where he signed in the book of condolences.
The Moldovan official has sent condolences to the members of the Royal Family. A delegation of Moldovan MPs was also present at the Peles Castle, including the Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Chisinau, former Prime Minister Iurie Leanca.
Numerous representatives of the state's institutions and the diplomatic corps accredited in Bucharest extended their condolences on Wednesday to Peles Castle in Sinaia, where the coffin with the body of King Mihai I is laid.
Diplomatic representatives of the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland, Canada, Spain, the Vatican and Morocco have arrived at Peles Castle on Wednesday afternoon. Among those who wanted to personally present their condolences were the Ambassador of the United States, Hans Klemm and the United Kingdom Ambassador, Paul Brummell.
Governor of the National Bank of Romania Mugur Isarescu, Ombudsman Victor Ciorbea and Romania's Prosecutor General Augustin Lazar also presented in person their condolences to the Royal Family. Representatives of the Romanian Academy, the Romanian Cultural Institute, Romania's National Audiovisual Council or Romanian Gendarmerie were also present at Peles Castle.
The coffin with the body of King Michael I of Romania arrived at the Royal Palace in Bucharest on Wednesday evening, with hundreds of people welcoming the cortege amid cheers and chanting the king’s name. The former sovereign’s body will remain in Bucharest until Saturday, when the convoy will head to Curtea de Arges, where the burial takes places.
The funeral procession was welcomed by hundreds of people who applauded. People chanted for minutes "King Mihai" and "Monarchy saves Romania." Hundreds of persons outside the Royal Palace brought with them portraits of the former sovereign, flowers and flags with Romania's royal insignia in order to welcome King Mihai I. The Victoria Road is cradled by Romania's flags, bearing a black mourning band.
Immediately after the coffin with the king's body was laid in the Throne Hall of the Royal Palace, a private religious service was officiated. All those wanting to lay flowers and bow before the King'a bier can come to the Throne Hall of the Royal Palace, as of Wednesday, Thursday from 8:00 to 22:00 and Friday between 8:00 and 22:00.
The Gov't decreed 14,15 and 16 December as national days of mourning on Romania's soil in the memory of King Mihai I.
King Mihai I died on 5 December, at 96 years of age, at his residence in Switzerland.
On Saturday, 16 December, at 18:45hrs the burial ceremony of King Mihai I will take place in the New Cathedral at the Curtea de Arges. The ceremony will be private, in the presence of the Crown Custodian, the Royal Family of Romania and the members of the foreign Royal Families. The public will only have access in front of the entrance gate in the Arges Archbishopric park. The media will be allowed in front of the New Cathedral at Curtea de Arges.