„Între seceră și coroană”: destinul Regelui Mihai în documentele și presa britanică (1944-1954)
“Between the Sickle and the Crown”: The Fate of King Michael in British documents and Press (1944-1954)

Summary/Abstract: This study examines the complex political and personal trajectory of King Michael I of Romania during the critical years of 1944-1947 and throughout his subsequent exile. Drawing on diplomatic correspondence, memoirs, and contemporary press accounts, the narrative highlights the king’s persistent efforts to navigate the pressures of both Soviet influence and the emerging communist regime while maintaining the legitimacy of the Romanian monarchy. Special attention is given to King Michael’s interactions with Anglo-American officials, including members of the British Military Mission and key diplomats, whose guidance and restrained support shaped his strategic decisions during the post-war political crisis, particularly regarding the appointment of Petru Groza as prime minister and the eventual forced abdication. The study also traces the early years of King Michael’s exile in Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States, exploring how he sought to preserve the royal prerogatives, maintain international contacts, and manage both personal and dynastic matters, including his engagement to Princess Anne of Bourbon-Parma. The king’s exilic period is portrayed as a delicate balancing act between public diplomacy, private survival, and opposition to the communist regime in Romania, emphasizing his resilience, prudence, and the nuanced role of Anglo-American influence in shaping the fate of the Romanian monarchy in the early Cold War context.

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