Evening star., 1947-12-30
Kinq Mihoi of Romonio Quits;
Red-Dominoted Cabinet Sets Up
Popular Democratic Republic
Monarch, 26, Says
He Abdicuted in
Interest Of People
By the Associated Press

BUCHAREST, Romania, Dec.
3O.-King Mihai I abdicated to-
day and the Communist-domi-
mated cabinet Immediately de-
clared Romania a popular dem
ocratic republic"
Parliament is now sitting for rati-
fication of these acts.
In broadcast proclamation, King
Mihai said he had abdicated In the
interest of the people.
He said the present changes in
Romania had made an alteration in
the constitution necessary, and he
would not stand in the way OF the
people, who must be free to choose
their own form of government. He
abdicated at pm. 1t was reported,
without confirmation, that he left at
5 pm. for an undisclosed destina-
ton.
Sought to Wed Danish Princess.
The 26-year monarch re-
turned only recently from a trip to
London and Switzerland amid re-
ports that he was seeking govern
ment permission to marry Danish
Princess Anne of Bourbon-Parma.
He attended the wedding OF Prln-
cess Elizabeth in London Novem-
Der 20.
(The London Evening Stand
ard said last night that the Ro-
manian government had re-
iected the request of Mihai to
marry Princess Anne. The paper
said Anna Paulker, Communist
Foreign Minister, had explained
that "Romania cannot afford the
expense of a royal wedding.D
Mihai's father, Carol II, twice re-
nounced the Romanian throne.
Mihai first became king when he
was only six years old upon the
abdication of his father. Carol re-
nounced the throne rather than
give up his love affair with red
haired Nine Elena (Magda) Lu-
pescu.
Once Overthrew Dictator.
A regency ruled for Mihai until
Carol ascended the throne again
after reconsidering his abdication,
During World War II, Carol fled
the country after the Nazi-aftlllated
Iron Guard rose to power.
Mihai resumed the throne, and
later succeeded in overthroWing
Dictator Ion Antonescu in a coup
on August %, 1914. Mihai was
honored by the Soviet government
with the Order of Victory for this
courageous act
Mihai's name was linked with
that of Princess Anne, a member of
a Danish-French family, during his
recent trip to Switzerland. She
was in Switzerland at the same
time.
Mihai was the last reigning mon
arch in countries of Eastern Europe
which Russia dominates. The Kings
of Albania (Zog). Bulgaria Simeon
IL and Yugoslavia peter previ-
ously had lost their thrones in up
heavals connected with the war.
The abdication left King Paul of
Greece the only employed King in
the Balkans Or Southern Europe.
News of Mihai's romance with the
beautous blond Princess Anne first
came from a Danish court source
He said the announcement in Copen-
hagen awaited only the permission
of King Frederick.
Mihai and 24-year- Anne flew
to Switzerland from London after
attending the wedding of Princess
Elizabeth. On his arrival in Lau-
same, MihA was silent on wedding
plans, but his secretary said I'VE
have to wait for an announcement
from the government.
Mlhai and Princess Anne were to.
gether every day of their stay ir
London and went dancing every
night. Reports of an engagement
came as no surprise. 1t was SAID
to have been a case of love at first
sight.
They have the same great
grandfather in King Christian TX
of Denmark and are distant cousins.
The young King was born Mihai
Hohenzollern-S -Sigmaringen, October
>25. 1921 He was educated at home,
and was the first King of his line
to be so thoroughly Romanian.
Carol had him schooled in Bucharest
with IL commoners picked from all
walks of life and from all regions
of the country.
Mihai was deeply interested in
aviation, and during the war he
professed great admiration for
American bombing planes and
pilots.
After Carols 1910 abdication
Mihai's mother, Queen Elena, re-
turned to the country from a long
residence in Italy. She had divorced
Carol in 1923.