Romanians, royals turn out in big numbers for king’s funeral
BUCHAREST, Romania — Tens of thousands of Romanians joined European royals on Saturday to pay their respects to late King Michael as a state funeral got underway.
Michael, who ruled Romania twice before being forced to abdicate by the communists in 1947, died at age 96 in Switzerland this month.
Britain’s Prince Charles, Sweden’s King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia, and Spain’s former King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia, were among those at a pre-funeral service at the Royal Palace where Michael’s body had been laying in state for the past two days.
Among non-European royals attending the funeral was Princess Muna al-Hussein, mother of King Abdullah II of Jordan.