More than 4,000 Romanians from both sides of the Prut River attended the traditional Garden Party hosted by the Romanian Royal House at Elisabeta Palace on Sunday, on the occasion of Royalty Day.
As this year marks 160 years since the founding of the Romanian Royal House and, implicitly, of the modern Romanian state, this year’s celebration was dedicated to both Romania and the Republic of Moldova.
“I wish you a wonderful evening, and may we always remain united. I have confidence in our country,” said Margareta of Romania at the opening of the evening, according to Agerpres.
Among those attending were dignitaries from Romania and the Republic of Moldova, members of the Romanian Academy and the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Moldova, a large number of foreign ambassadors accredited to Bucharest, representatives of civil society, cultural and scientific figures, and members of the business community.
The special guest of Her Majesty Margareta, Custodian of the Crown, and of Prince Radu of Romania was Prince Leka II of Albania.
Representatives of the Romanian Orthodox Church, the Catholic Church, Protestant Churches, the Jewish community and the Muslim community in Romania were also present among the guests.
Prayer and message from the Romanian Orthodox Church
On Sunday, Royalty Day, special litanies for the Kings of Romania were offered at the Patriarchal Cathedral during the Divine Liturgy celebrated by Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești, who also attended the event in the gardens of Elisabeta Palace.
Patriarch Daniel of Romania sent a congratulatory message to the Royal House on this occasion, emphasising that “the motto of the Royal House, Nihil sine Deo (Nothing without God), is a testimony to the spiritual and eternal values defended and promoted throughout history by the rulers and kings of the Romanian people”.
Military ceremonies
In Bucharest, Royalty Day was also marked by military ceremonies.
At the Monument to the Heroes of the Nation in front of the National Defence University, the Ministry of National Defence commemorated Romania’s National Independence Day, during which Prince Radu laid a wreath on behalf of Her Majesty Margareta, Custodian of the Romanian Crown.
Representatives of the Presidential Administration, the Romanian Parliament and Government, the leadership of the Ministry of National Defence, the Defence Staff, the Land Forces Staff, the Air Force Staff and the Naval Forces Staff, as well as war veterans and representatives of the Royal Household Administration, were present.
At the bust of King Michael I of Romania in King’s Square on Kiseleff Boulevard, flowers were laid on behalf of the Royal House in the presence of members of the Romanian Gendarmerie. At the statue of King Carol I of Romania in Royal Palace Square, a wreath was laid by Andrew Popper and other representatives of the Royal House.
The day concluded with an extraordinary concert performed by the Camerata Regală at the Romanian Athenaeum in the presence of Princess Elena of Romania, Princess Sofia of Romania and Crown Prince Leka II of Albania.
Photo: Alexandra Curea-Gogu via Facebook / Romanian Royal Family
