A PRINCE'S RENUNCIATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19216, 4 January 1926, Page 7

A PRINCE'S RENUNCIATION.

RUMANIAN SENSATION. MANY RUMOURS CURRENT. PREVIOUS LOVE AFFAIR. AN AIR FORCE DISPUTE. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright, (Received 5.5. p.m.) A. and ft.Z. LONDON, Jin, 2. Tho Bucharest correspondent of the Daily Express states that it is believed Prince Charles of Rumania will bo in \ en;ce shortly. One reason advanced for his renuaciaiion of his right of succession to the tb.rone is that he wishes to remarry, and therefore seeks a divorce from his present wife, who was Princess Helene of Greece. This he would be unable to do while h(i remained heir to the throne. The Prince, in a letter to the King, undertakes not to return to Rumania for six years. It is generally supposed the prince is anxious to remarry Zizi Lambrinu, the daughter of a Rumanian general to whom he was first married, the marriage being annulled subsequently. It is said he is greatly attached to her. The Daily Telegraph says a well informed figure in diplomatic circles asserts that the Prince's renunciation of his rights is not so closely associated with his morganatic marriage as is popularly supposed. This diplomat gathers that his action was more immediately determined, and anyhow precipitated, by events of a political and administrative character which arose recently when the question of equipping the Rumanian air force with new machines was under consideration. Official Inquiry Ordered. Certain departments were intent on purchasing machines from a certain Power. The Prince being tho titular head of the service disagreed and eventually imposed his will. Accordingly the machines were ordered from another country. It appears that his choice was dogged by misfortune. One of the leading pilots was killed during the tests, while other machines proved to contain unsuitable engines., The thwarted authorities sought to make capital out of the incidents, urging an official inquiry. The Prince strongly opposed this, but the Cabinet over-ruled his objections and ordered an inquiry Theso circumstances contributed in no small degree to the Prince's resignation oit his post as air commander-in-chief, together with his Royal prerogatives. A Loving Couple. Tho engagement of Prince Charles and Princess Helene took place at Lucerne in November, 1918. The correspondent of the Daily Chronicle, who was at Lucerne at that time, says tho couple appeared to be happy lovers. Ho often met them walking by the lako or climbing hills. They were always arm in arm. It is difficult for those who saw them to believe ithat the Prince's renunciation is associated with matrimonial differences. After attending the funeral of the late Queen Alexandra, the Prince should have returned to Bucharest, but instead he went to Switzerland and wrote to the King renouncing his rights and declining to return. The Crown council met on Friday and ■ the" meeting, including members of the Cabinet and political leaders, discussied the question of the Regency in tho event of the death of the king; also the Prince's interference in • political affairs. A minister, who went to Switzerland in order to induce the Prince to * change his mind, returned with a definite and written renunciation of all tho ! Prince's rights. Fear of Complications. It is feared that complications may arise later in a possible pretender to the thrc.no, namely, the Prince's son by his marriage' with Zizi. The boy bears the Prince's name. A messago from Berlin states that the resignation of the Rumanian Minister for War is announced. He has been publicity accused of irregularities in his dealings with the Dutch Fokker aeroplane concern. The Prince's name has been coupled with that of the Minister in this connection. Parliament has been summoned for Monday when revelations may be expeoted. The correspondent of the Sunday Express says an irate King, a Queen in tears, a Prince who renounced a Crown for the love of a woman, and a Prime Minister determined to assert his authority, are the characters connected with the secrecy surrounding the renunciation of Prince Charles. It is regarded as certain that while political affairs have influenced his decision to some extent, the Princei has been associated with a beautiful woman, the wife of a "Rumanian officer. Tho Prince will probably allow Princess Helene to divorce him in order that he may marry her. It is reported that Queen Marie wept when she heard of thu Prince's actions, and exclaimed " This is a Queen's new year." The King, it is reported, is intent upon punishing his son. A POLITICAL CRISIS. RESIGNATION OF CABINET. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Eccd. 1.30 a.m.) BUCHAREST. Jan. 3. M. Bratiano's Cabinet has resigned.