Romanians Turn Palace Into Shrine Before Royal Funeral

Romanians are preparing for days of mourning ahead of funeral on Saturday December 16 of the country's last king Michael I, who died last Wednesday in his modest residence in Switzerland, at the age of 96.

Scores of monarchists but also other admirers of the former king have signed the book of condolences at the former royal palace in Bucharest, which today is Romania's National Art Museum.

Admirers of the ex-monarch have also turned the fence of the former royal palace into a shrine dedicated to the king, adorned with pictures of the late king, candles and flowers.

Many young Romanians, whether or not they support a royal restoration, say they wish they had more information about the king and what he really stood for.

Many of them feel the real history of his life, abdication and years of enforced exile have been largely removed from school history books.

"I came because he was a landmark in our recent history," Liliana Mihaila, a 31-year-old programmer who lit a candle at the shrine, told BIRN.

"Our generation needs to know more about our real history. We have been taught so little about the royal house and the king and there was so much disinformation even after the 1989 revolution [which ended the Communist regime]," she added.

Others also believe that various governments since 1990 have largely denied the king his rightful place in Romanian history.

"I hope he finds the peace he deserves," Bogdan Voicu, a 35-year-old marketing specialist, said.

 "I only know him from my grandfather's stories," he said. 

"Although I think Romania should be a republic, I  know that King Michael was important for Romania, and I grew to respect him as a kind, wise man. I regret he's not among us anymore. We have a lot to...

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