SENSATION IN RUMANIA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19215, 2 January 1926, Page 9

SENSATION IN RUMANIA.

CROWN PRINCE RESIGNS. ALL RIGHTS RENOUNCED. FORMER ROMANCE RECALLED. STORY OF SECRET MARRIAGE. By Telegraph— Press Association— Copyright.. (Received 10.55 p.m.) Sun. LONDON, Dec. 31. The Crown Prince Charles of Rumania has renounced 4ris right, of succession to the throne of that country. The King, in a communique, states that Prince Charles, having informed His Majesty by letter of his irrevocable renunciation of succession and all prerogatives appertaining to that rank, including membership of the Royal Family, he is compelled to accept the renunciation. The King has proclaimed his grandson, Michael, son of Prince Charles, aged four years, as heir to the throne. The Council of State has approved of this step. Parliament will meet on January 4 to ratify the action. The announcement recalls the sensation of September, 1918, when it was disclosed that Prince Charles had secretly married a Moldavian girl named Zizi Lambrinu, the daughter of a Rumanian general. The King ordered the Prince back from his honeymoon, and he was subjected to 75 days' solitary confinement for breaking the military regulations, the breach presumably consisting in marrying without permission. He renounced rights in 1918, and asked to be sent to serve among the soldiers at the front. The marriage was annulled and the Prince's rights were restored. He next went on a world tour. He married Princess Helene of Greece in 1920. He latterly has been keenly interested in flying. He made several flights to England. He visited London to attend the late Queen Alexandra's funeral. The Queen of Rumania explains that members of the Eoyal Family are forbidden to marry Rumanians in order to avoid the possibility if the family becoming involved in party intrigues. There are no details of the immediate cause of the Prince's renunciation of the heirdom, but it is kuu«n that he more than once has previously expressed a wish to relinquish his rights, notably when he married the Moldavian girl. There were rumours in 1923 that relations between the Prince and Princess were strained and that divorce proceedings were pending, but a denial of the report was issued.