QUEEN HELEN OF RUMANIA

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25389, 12 January 1948, Page 2

QUEEN HELEN OF RUMANIA

The former Queen Helen of Rumania, who left Bucharest with her son, the former King Michael, and went with him to Switzerland last week, has had an unhappy life. Formerly Princess Helen of Greece, she was married to Prince Carol, of Rumania, nearly 27 years ago, and their son was born less than a year later. She is now 52 years old—a sensitive woman who has always shunned publicity. Yet since her marriage she has, through no fault of her own, been repeatedly the subject of the widest and often the most unpleasant publicity. Her marriage was successful until Madame Lupescu, whom Carol has since married, camp between her and her husband.

In 1927 their marriage was dissolved and for the last 20 years Queen Helen has devoted herself to her son. This was not easy, for she lived only part of the time in Rumania and there was interference with her efforts to see as much of Michael as possible. It was not until 1932 that an amicable arrangement was made by which Queen Helen was allowed to be with Prince Michael in Switzerland for one month in the year and to visit Rumania for half the year, during which time she could see her son whenever she liked. She was not, however, permitted to superintend Michael’s education.