Britain’s King Charles III is popular in Romania EPA-EFE/NEIL HALL

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Romanians wanted UK’s Charles as their king, says presidential candidate

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Many Romanians wanted King Charles III to lead a restored Romanian monarchy, the country’s leading presidential candidate said on May 15.

Speculation was rife that Charles, prior to his ascension, would be approached to resurrect the monarchy, which was abolished in 1947.

The restoration of the Romanian monarchy is back on the cards as right-winger George Simion, the favourite in this weekend’s presidential elections, says he is in favour “if we find the right person”.

“Some were thinking five years or ten years ago about Charles the Third but he is now in another engagement,” Simion told Brussels Signal. “I mention King Charles because he loves Romania.”

King Charles owns spectacular properties in Transylvania and has been a frequent visitor.

“Charles is definitely much liked in Romania, and he himself loves the country,” said Brussels Signal columnist Gabriel Elefterui, who was born in Romania.

The idea of importing Charles as the new monarch arose because the much-respected former King Michael I had five daughters – Crown Princess Margareta is the eldest – and no sons.

Simion said under the old rules, sometimes referred to as Salic law, only males could ascend to the throne–though this was unilaterally changed by a royal family decree King Michael issued in 2007.

Simion said he was personally in favour of a return of the monarchy because monarchs provided a country with “continuity”. A monarchy, he said, is “for life”, and a monarch “doesn’t have to concentrate on winning the votes of the people”.

The full interview with George Simion is available on the Brussels Signal homepage and YouTube channel.