Her Majesty Margareta, the Custodian of the Romanian Crown, hosted at the Royal Palace, on Monday, a Royal Evening dedicated to the Diplomatic Corps, HRH Prince Radu thanking on this occasion the representatives of the Diplomatic Corps accredited in Bucharest for their "love and attachment" to our country.
"One hundred and sixty years is a long time by Romanian standards. In this part of the world, as you well know, nothing lasts very long. Every 50 years, a geopolitical rearrangement takes place that puts our country to the test. And the very fact that for so many years we have managed to continue this superb tradition gives us hope, pride and a sense of continuity, which we value very much. Your Excellencies are very often at the Elisabeta Palace and we also learn very often about your public endeavors. So, we would like to thank you very much for your friendship, for your professionalism, for your generosity and for your love and attachment to our country," Prince Radu said in his message.
The President of the Romanian Senate, Mircea Abrudean, who also attended the event, highlighted the "constant" role of the Royal House on the Euro-Atlantic path and Romania's membership in the European Union, emphasising that our country is ready to collaborate with the members of the Diplomatic Corps with "clarity", "consistency" and "trust".
"Romania values dialogue, partnership and responsibility. You serve here in a period of profound change. Unfortunately, Europe is once again facing war, strategic competition has intensified, and multilateral rules are facing constant pressure. In this context, diplomacy is not protocol, diplomacy means security and trust built through daily efforts. For Romania, diplomacy has always meant choice. We choose democracy. We chose the Euro-Atlantic path and the European Union. These choices have shaped our institutions, our economy and our place in the world," Abrudean said.
The Dean of the Foreign Diplomatic Corps in Romania, Monsignor Giampiero Gloder, the Apostolic Nuncio, praised "the role that the Royal Family has played in the history of Romania and continues to support today."
"Your Majesty, we are pleased to convey to you once again our sincere gratitude for your generous invitation, as well as for the very thoughtful and wise words you addressed to us. And above all, for the role that the Royal Family has played in the history of Romania and continues to play today, as a lasting symbol of the unity of the nation. (...) The mission of diplomacy is the same, as we are seeking to build bridges of fraternity between nations, rather than walls of division. On behalf of all the ambassadors accredited to Romania and the other heads of mission, I wish to renew to Your Majesty and the entire Royal Family my warmest wishes for happiness and peace. Merry Christmas and a peaceful New Year," the high official conveyed.
Her Royal Highness Princess Elena, Her Royal Highness Princess Sofia and Her Royal Highness Princess Maria also attended, alongside Her Majesty, the ceremony on Monday evening, which began with the singing of the Royal Anthem by the Representative Central Band of the Ministry of National Defence.
Also in attendance were Secretary of State Luca Niculescu, Secretary of State Ana Tinca, Secretary of State Dragos Hotea and State Counselor Luminita Odobescu, heads of bilateral and multilateral diplomatic missions accredited in Romania and members of His Majesty's Household.
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The Royal Evenings in Honour of the Diplomatic Corps began in 1866, in the first year of the reign of Prince Carol I. Since that year, around each New Year, Kings Carol I, Ferdinand, Carol II and Mihai I have kept the tradition of honouring diplomatic ties between Romania and the countries of the world uninterrupted, until the communist regime took power.
After a five-decade hiatus, King Mihai I resumed the tradition of the annual Royal Evenings of the Diplomatic Corps in December 1997, in Bucharest.
The Custodian of the Crown has personally hosted these events, uninterrupted, since 2009.
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