Prince's Sudden Demotion Stuns Romanians

Romanian royalists are mystified by the decision of their 94-year-old ex-king this week to suddenly cut out his popular grandson, Prince Nicholas, from the line of succession.

Ex-King Michael "believes that it is best if Nicholas continues to follow his own dreams outside of Romania, outside the line of succession and outside of the royal family," a spokesman for the royal family announced.

More mysteriously, the statement said that Romania needed a future ruler characterized by "modesty and moral principles", words that prompted a flurry of speculation about unknown aspects of the Prince's private life.

The move caused surprise, as Prince Nicholas, aged 30, is popular, good looking, a keen supporter of charities and a keen sportsman to boot - the perfect set of skills and attributes, many might think, for a modern monarchy.

In April, the Prince cycled from the northern region of Transylvania to the Black Sea port of Constanta in a 1,000-kilometre journey to raise money for children's issues.

The Prince has not resisted his demotion. "The position of Prince of Romania and inclusion in the Line of Succession to the Crown of Romania demanded that I lead my life in a way that I found difficult to assume. For this reason, with great sorrow in my soul, I believe that the decision of His Majesty the King is fitting" a statement by Nicholas said.

Earlier this year, he already moved out of the Elisabeta palace, home to his grandfather and aunt, Crown Princess Margaret, for an apartment near a park where he could walk his dog.

Until this week's bombshell, Nicholas was all set to become the future leader of the Romanian royal house one day.

His aunt Margarita, next in line to the vacant throne, has no...