On his recent visit to Romania, Prince Charles has been offered the title Prince of Transylvania, as a descendent of Vlad the Impaler!
Is Prince Charles to become Prince of Transylvania? (Andy Gott)
The Prince of Wales has a fondness for Romania; he owns two 400-year old holiday cottages in Transylvania, which the public can rent, and his Prince of Wales Foundation works extensively in the region in areas related to conservation, traditional farming, and sustainable development. He visits at least once a year to be updated on work, but also for leisure time away from Royal duties.
PRINCE CHARLES’ OFFICIAL VISIT TO ROMANIA – MEETING OLD FRIENDS, FABULOUS CHURCHES AND WETLAND CONSERVATION
Through Queen Mary, Prince Charles is a descendant of the notorious Vlad the Impaler, a former ruler of the Transylvania Principality, who was renowned for putting his enemies on wooden stakes on the hills overlooking the towns.
The Mayor of Alba Iulia, the former capital of the region, probably wasn’t suggesting that Charles also puts his enemies of stakes around London, but rather respects the Prince’s love for the region.
In a letter written by Mayor Mircea Hava to Charles, he wrote:
“We know how much you love Transylvania. It has become your second home and you have been the region’s most valuable ambassador.
“Moreover, you claim your roots from our legendary Prince Vlad. As you love Transylvania so much, we thought, ‘What if instead of only being ‘The Prince of Wales’, you would be known from now on as ‘The Prince of Wales AND Transylvania’?”
“You have to admit that ‘Prince of Wales AND Transylvania’ sounds like a fantastic way to introduce yourself, in addition to being a great conversation starter.”
Charles first visited Transylvania in 1998. It was during this first visit that Charles discovered his relation to Vlad. In a documentary about the Carpathian Mountains he found that George V’s consort was related to the 15th Century ruler.
It is unlikely that The Prince of Wales could take the title “Prince of Transylvania”, but he has joked about his relation to Vlad in the past when he said, “The genealogy shows I am descended from Vlad the Impaler, so I do have a bit of a stake in the country”.
He may however be able to use it as a courtesy title when in the area.
