Figure 1.--This is Prince Nicolae (Nicholas) of Romania, the second oldest son of King Ferdinand. The boys were commonly dressed in sailor suits, a reflection of the family's German origins. Prince Nicolae looks to be about 8-9 years old here, meanhing the portrait was taken about 1903.

Prince Nicholas was the second son of King Ferdinand and Queen Marie (the fornmer Marie of Edinburgh). He was born in Peleş Castle, Sinaia (1895). We have no information about his childhood. The princes were commonly dressed in sailor suits, probably a relection of their German and English ancestry. Nicholas developed an interest in the Navy. During World War I, Romanian was a British ally. And the young prince because of his British mother could claim British citizenship. He decided gto pursue a career in the British Royal Navy. Nicholas' older brother, Crown Prince Carol, was the heir apparent. As a result of a scandal, Prince Carol renounced his rights of succession (1925). As a result When King Ferdinand died (1927), he was succeeded by Prince Carol's 5 year-old son, Michael. Some Romanians had proposed Nicholas earlier as a more suitable heir when Prince Carol married the commoner Zizi Lambrino (1918), a marriage that was later annulled. Because of King Michael's youth, a regency council was formed. Prince Nicholas had to abandon his career in the British Royal Navy and return to Romania and serve on the regency council which also included Gheorghe Buzdugan and Patriarch Miron Cristea. His title was the "the first-ranking regent", Prince Nicholas had, however, no real interest in politics and was unhappgy about having to give up his Royal Navy career. After Carol returned to become king, the two had a falling out and Prince Nicholas had to go into exile.

Created: 10:44 PM 7/27/2011
Last updated: 10:45 PM 7/27/2011