Crown Custodian Margareta: Our first Christmas without King Mihai

This is the first Christmas without King Mihai, says Her Majesty Margareta, Custodian of the Crown in a message on Sunday, noticing "the laying together of our entire nation" on the occasion of the Defunct King's funerals a week ago, on 16 December, at Curtea de Arges.

"Romanians, for several decades, passing through the darkest days of the war (WWII, ed. n.) and the communist dictatorship that followed the war, King Mihai has sent his message to the nation, on this very day of each year. Ever since my very early years, I remember the care my father was writing these messages with, and the anxiety he felt until deciding what word was more suitable. The Christmas message used to be for him in the icy days of his exile the only form of direct communication with the Romanians, whom he has sworn to protect and defend; it used to be, literally, his holy Eucharist together with all Romanians. This is our first Christmas without King Mihai and yet this year, by celebrating the Birth of Our Saviour, we also pay tribute to the life and accomplishments of the fourth monarch of the modern Romanian State," the Crown Custodian says in Her message. 

She mentions that all of the high guests, heads of states who have come to say good-bye to King Mihai on 16 December found that the Romanian nation is "united in sufferance" and "determined on its future." 

"The Royal Family will continue with the same steadfastness to support and consolidate the interests of our country. In the coming months, in accordance with the state's authorities I shall make public several steps to furthering with my father's work," says Margareta. 

Her Majesty Margareta, Custodian of the Crown and His Royal Highness Prince Radu are celebrating Christmas and the New Year at Savarsin, in the western Arad County, alongside the four sisters of Her Majesty, the Press Office of Her Majesty's House informed STIRIPESURSE in a release at the beginning of this week. 

At the gates of the Savarsin Royal Domain stays open the condolence book, on the Christmas days as well, next to a portrait of King Mihai and a lit candel, until the 40 days of great mourning are fulfilled.