Michael (1921- )

King of Romania 1927-30 and 1940-47. The son of Carol II, he succeeded his grandfather as king in 1927 but was displaced when his father returned from exile in 1930. In 1940 he was proclaimed king again on his father's abdication, overthrew in 1944 the fascist dictatorship of Ion Antonescu (1882-1946), and enabled Romania to share in the victory of the Allies at the end of World War II. He abdicated and left Romania in 1947.

On 25 December 1990 King Michael, with his wife Anne and daughter Sophia, attempted to return to Romania, but he was expelled early the following day. He was eventually allowed to return February 1997, having promised to abide by the country's 1991 republican constitution.