Her Majesty Margareta, Custodian of the Crown, hosted on Wednesday at the Pelisor Castle in Sinaia a ceremony marking the 160th anniversary since the birth of King Ferdinand I and the 150th anniversary since the birth of Queen Marie. On this occasion Foreign Affairs Minister Oana Toiu highlighted that the Romanian Royal Family symbolizes the continuity of the Romanian state on the international stage.

The event took place in the Honor Hall of the castle, in the presence of Her Majesty Margareta, His Royal Highness Prince Radu, Her Royal Highness Princess Elena and Her Royal Highness Princess Sophia. Also attending the event were Foreign Affairs Minister Oana Toiu, Chief of the Defence Staff, General Gheorghita Vlad, Apostolic Nuncio Giampiero Gloder, ambassadors and representatives of religious denominations.

'Her Majesty wished that this story we evoke today, in just a few words, to take place at Pelisor Castle, the lifelong home of King Ferdinand and Queen Marie, the place where they experienced moments of joy and despair, and where both closed their eyes,' His Royal Highness Prince Radu said in the speech he delivered on behalf of Her Majesty.

He pointed out that 'the Romanian society and the entire European continent celebrated this year the double milestone anniversaries of the births of King Ferdinand I and Queen Marie.'

In this context, Foreign Affairs Minister Oana Toiu showed that the activity of the Royal Family should serve as a lesson for every foreign affairs minister, also bringing to mind that King Michael I advocated for Romania's accession to NATO and the European Union.

'For any foreign affairs minister, this episode from history, as well as the activity of the Royal Family, must serve as a lesson. And we treat it as such. A handbook of foreign affairs policy based on courage and vision. Above all, on a personal level, the most important lesson is this extraordinary and much-needed ability, especially in these times, to build bridges, to sometimes set aside your own interests for a greater good, to serve your country. (...) King Michael advocated with dignity and with his immense credibility for Romania's accession to NATO and the European Union. He explained that our place is there and he was heard with a respect that few others could claim at that time. Today, it is perhaps clearer than ever, how important our NATO membership is,' the minister said.

Oana Toiu underscored that the Royal Family of Romania is a symbol of the continuity of the Romanian state on the international stage.

'Your Majesty, Your Royal Highness, for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and for me personally, the Royal Family of Romania is not only a symbol of these glorious times, but also an active partner, a pillar of credibility, a symbol of the continuity of the Romanian state on the international stage, while some of us are much more temporary than that. The confidence that the world has in Romania and which we in Romania have in our security and our future, is largely thanks to you,' the head of the Romanian diplomacy pointed out.

In his turn, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Gheorghita Vlad, spoke about the legacy that the two have left to the Romanian people.

'Impressive in every sense of the word, Ferdinand the Loyal and Queen Mother, or the Soldier Queen, marked Romanians' history and still offer, even today, one of the most eloquent expressions of patriotism. (...) King Ferdinand I and Queen Marie left us an invaluable legacy that we are obliged to preserve and to capitalize on,' he said. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Anamaria Constantin; EN - writing by: Rodica State)