King Mihai of Romania and his family

[Marlene]

The story is utter nonsense - and has no merit whatsover.  Michael had no real opportunity to meet anyone during the war  -- and was under the watchful eye of his mother - the only person he could trust.    Stick to finances.

     Yes Marlene you are correct the official information does back up the dates you quote, and it must feel just like being there. Good work!   I’m a financial investigator not a biographer, this said the information I search tends not to be found in the library.  Helen, the first wife, left an audio/visual confession for her son, that was not to be used before her death; if he chose legal action.  The Son was supposed to be provided for by his father.  The point I make, is that witnesses contradict the assumption that a true travel log for His Majesty was ever made public.  You responded very much in the tenor in which I told Mihai (the son) that Ms. Eilers would respond.

     My most recent interview came through an acquaintance from the Romanian community that allowed for a meeting with a family member that once was in the top level of the Romanian Communist Government.  This person was in the know of  much of His Majesty’s comings and goings at the time.  I was allowed use of one of the sets of wedding photos ,which I shared at the end of the interview.  They were able to identify His Majesty, though not totally surprised, as the King made his movements very secretive.  This person stated the son looks like his father and even more so as he ages.  The person added the likeness to Carol II and to photos of Ferdnand is remarkable, stating he looks like everyone in the royal family, leaving no doubt to them of the Son’s true identity. How I was surprised, was the unprompted information I was given of the personal belongings that followed the king into exile.   I have heard this same story from a retired US military source as well.  In any case, it was expressed that His Majesty, in all his stoicism,  was… and is a master with the press and presents a wonderful face to the world.  Not to judge ones actions, but I’m finding the acorn may not fall far from the tree and Helen (the American wife) was treated as Carol II treated Ms. Lambrino.

 
This story is such utter hogwasg.  Michael never left Romania after the start of the second world war until November 1947 when he and his mother were able to attend Elizabeth and Philip's wedding.  The communists had hoped that Michael and Helen would take the bait and not return, but they did - and were largely confined to the palace until December 30, when at gun point, Michael abdicated.  Mother and son went into exile in Switzerland.  He had met Anne of Bourbon Parma at the wedding and the two had fallen in love, and were making plans to marry, which they did in June 1948.   

The Stanzeleit story is intriguing, but a photo would be more believable than any written documentation.  The story I’m familiar with has Michael fathering a Son by a beautiful blond American Woman named “Helen” who after being recruited to wartime Washington DC was moved overseas to Paris at the end of WW II where she worked as a translator primarily of  slavic languages.  Her parents were immigrants, her Mother being Slovakian from Kosice where her parents met, after her Father changed his name to escape collapsing Imperial Russia. 

The Kings son being of Princess Margaritas age was raised for a time in Europe until, for the child’s protection, was raised within his Mother’s family in the US.  After a discreet wedding, a reception, occurred at “Au Mouton de Panurge,” with photographs taken in front of the murals.  The event was witnessed by out of uniform US Military who were in attendance.  As the situation deteriorated in Eastern Europe the King would soon follow Carol II example and seek a royal bride and race to produce a male heir to trump this already conceived first son.  Though having some resemblance to the King, the son strikingly favors his paternal grandfather and his Swabian roots.

 As circumstances changed in Eastern Europe and even a royal wedding would not salvage the Kings position in his country, an incident proved that this first born child was no longer safe in his Mother’s home in Belgium.  The son was brought back to family in the United States, hiding him through an inter family adoption which avoided any court action.  The young child did not speak any English giving concern that he would be difficult to hide which required frequent visits with a “Mrs. B,” the woman who originally recruited Helen, to manage his progress.  Helen would later admit this period of her life represented her darkest years having lost so much.  It turns out, to her wisdom she made sure she would entrust more than one set of photos among her trusted circle to ensure against the erasure of her son’s paternity showing he was conceived in wedlock, in the first marriage.   Of course at that time DNA testing wasn’t even a thought for science fiction.

...has anyone heard of this name?

I was walking yesterday through a bookshop and saw a book by him called "The Lost Queen". I read through it enough to see that he claims to be the son of king Michael of Romania from a prior marriage... that no-one knows about.

I'm surprised such a book was published and I knew nothing of it. No-one bothered to talk about it - not even to deny it.

Searching the Internet, I discovered http://ro.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dieter_Stanzeleit - Mr. Stanzeleit's Wikipedia page (in Romanian).

There I filled in the blanks. He claims King Michael was married to Nerissa Jane Irene Bowes-Lyon (a niece of the Queen Mother) who - according to him - was shot by the Germans when they realized they couldn't use her to blackmail George VI (with something). Apparently Carol insisted the marriage was kept a secret so that the relations with the Germans weren't ruined.

But the Wikipedia entry also clarifies that Nerissa actually died in 1986 and that she was apparently mentally retarded...? (That's what the Wikipedia page says, is it true? Anyone knows anything about this woman?)

One thing I do remember about the book was that there were some document copies at the end of the book, presumably proving Mr. Stanzeleit's claims.

Obviously the story is a complete fabrication but I can't help but wonder, how the hell did the man come up with it? Why pick an English noblewoman who never went to Romania, when an obscure Romanian girl would have helped his matters more? (had he come up with a story similar to Zizi Lambrino's, it would have been much harder to prove him wrong) How did he get to publish a book about it - who went through all the trouble of faking documents for him? And if he did that, how come I never heard of it until I saw the book in the bookshop?

Anyone know anything about this story?

[michaelJen]

Marlene your charm is only rivaled by your mastery and use of British vernacular.  It intrigues me that your point of view intonates that the King, as an adult not to mention head of state, would need his mothers permission to associate with anyone.  Insulting to his majesty, though yes I suppose such a dysfunctional family dynamic is possible, however it is now clear you’ve never raised children. I will clarify one point; I said “ at the end of WWII” not “during.”  This would account for two to three years before the engagement to Anne depending on what events one uses as the end. This presents plenty of time for both the relationship and for King Michael to produce his only son Mihai with his American wife before separateing.  I understand that this information does not fit into your timeline, or into the Kings past schedule books which you obviously have in your possession.  However the son was left pictures and video as well as a locket containing a DNA sample.  Karma!?  The opinion in which the son is interested, is that of the court which tends to favor forgotten children.  The evidence already obtained is solid for that purpose; but as far as I can see you’ve offered no new information to help either camp.  I do appreciate those few who have come forward with something to help.  Thank you.  Such a case would only stimulate more interest in biographical writings; even those authored by you.  The only persons who would truly stand to lose would be; the daughters if they choose to present opposition, but most dramatically the planned rise of “Prince” Radu Duda, would be severely stunted, as well as that of any of his perhaps dubious political connections.  Ultimately, we shall see just what does happen particularly if the king refuses and is then required to supply a DNA sample.  The real Prince, who is every bit his father’s son, would rather embrace the King than take him, or the family, to court.  The King will choose the path, but none of this will go away.  So I leave you, Ms. Eilers to your attacks upon me in lieu of imparting new information to any of us, as the job for which I was hired is coming to an end; and yes I’m referring to the one where I stick to finances.  The Prince will be pleased with what we’ve found.

The story is utter nonsense - and has no merit whatsover.  Michael had no real opportunity to meet anyone during the war  -- and was under the watchful eye of his mother - the only person he could trust.    Stick to finances.

[kmerov]

It does sound like nonsense. And regardless, the "son" would not be a Royal Prince.

[Margot]

Is this self proclaimed son the one who authored the book Iliyala mentioned earlier? If so, why did Nerissa Bowes-Lyon suddenly become a blonde American called 'Helen.' I am confused! Unless there are two different men claiming to be sons, one born out of a liaison between the King and Nerissa Bowes Lyon and another out of liaison between the King and this 'Helen.' Goodness King Michael was a obviously a very busy Lothario if these stories are separate and not just one story that had to be altered when it was discovered that having chosen an unmarried female of the right age as a mother was plucked from the Bowes Lyon pedigree and whom it then inconveniently transpired, had spent almost her entire life institutionalized! Perhaps then it became necessary to find another mother of a less 'established' background!

This whole things sounds very muddled, dubious and far-fetched to me! Especially with all that nonsense on the Romanian Wikipedia page!

[Marc]

The real Prince, who is every bit his father’s son,

As Kmerov pointed out...even if there is the proof that he has a son,such offspring could never in those circumstances be considered a Prince!So,maybe such person is a "real Prince" to you,but not in eyes of the entire family law.

[Marlene]

You are a great writer of fiction. World War ended in 1945.  Romania was already in the Soviet sphere, and Michael would not have been able to mix and meet with Americans.  He also lived with his mother - and both were watched very carefully.  A DNA sample left in a locket -- talk about tainting .. the first DNA structures were not known until the 1950s so it is unlikely that anyone would have thought about leaving a DNA sample in a locket in the 40s.  Video also did not exist in the 40s.  Moreover, with all the spies about, there would have been no way for Michael to have married withough anyone noticing .. and even for a king,  a marriage has to be registered.   Michael, knowing what his father did, was unlikely to have repeated the scenario. 

Marlene your charm is only rivaled by your mastery and use of British vernacular.  It intrigues me that your point of view intonates that the King, as an adult not to mention head of state, would need his mothers permission to associate with anyone.  Insulting to his majesty, though yes I suppose such a dysfunctional family dynamic is possible, however it is now clear you’ve never raised children. I will clarify one point; I said “ at the end of WWII” not “during.”  This would account for two to three years before the engagement to Anne depending on what events one uses as the end. This presents plenty of time for both the relationship and for King Michael to produce his only son Mihai with his American wife before separateing.  I understand that this information does not fit into your timeline, or into the Kings past schedule books which you obviously have in your possession.  However the son was left pictures and video as well as a locket containing a DNA sample.  Karma!?  The opinion in which the son is interested, is that of the court which tends to favor forgotten children.  The evidence already obtained is solid for that purpose; but as far as I can see you’ve offered no new information to help either camp.  I do appreciate those few who have come forward with something to help.  Thank you.  Such a case would only stimulate more interest in biographical writings; even those authored by you.  The only persons who would truly stand to lose would be; the daughters if they choose to present opposition, but most dramatically the planned rise of “Prince” Radu Duda, would be severely stunted, as well as that of any of his perhaps dubious political connections.  Ultimately, we shall see just what does happen particularly if the king refuses and is then required to supply a DNA sample.  The real Prince, who is every bit his father’s son, would rather embrace the King than take him, or the family, to court.  The King will choose the path, but none of this will go away.  So I leave you, Ms. Eilers to your attacks upon me in lieu of imparting new information to any of us, as the job for which I was hired is coming to an end; and yes I’m referring to the one where I stick to finances.  The Prince will be pleased with what we’ve found.

The story is utter nonsense - and has no merit whatsover.  Michael had no real opportunity to meet anyone during the war  -- and was under the watchful eye of his mother - the only person he could trust.    Stick to finances.

[slavona]

I have read a book about some El Greco`s pictures that were taken by Michael in 1947 and left in Zurich. Is anything real about such a fortune?

[Lucien]

Finally!!!Finally Russia acknowledges and honours HM King Mihai,just wonderfull,justice is done:

http://gpdhome.typepad.com/royalblognl_news_summary/2010/05/russia-finally-honours-king-mihai.html

courtesy hja

[Eric_Lowe]

That is a historical photo and event. The King and Romania should be proud.

[KarlandZita]

Baby Mihai with his grandfather Ferdinand :



With his father Carol :



Mihai and his grandmother Marie :



With his mother Helen :

[miki_nastya]

 Very nice family pictures.I never saw that one with Carol.

[Lucien]

TM King Mihai and Queen Anna celebrate their 52nd wedding anniversary today!

[Carolath Habsburg]

A little late but....


Wedding picture

[Eric_Lowe]

Thanks. Can you get a bigger version for us. Love to see the detail of their faces, jewels and clothes. Thanks again ! 

[Carolath Habsburg]

here is it

http://i49.tinypic.com/10sggax.jpg