Ferdinand talks of Carol's "moral delinquencies"

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 July 8, 1926

In a candid interview with the Associated Press, King Ferdinand of Roumania told why his eldest son, Carol, renounced his right to the throne. The King said that Carol had "repeated moral delinquencies" and was not "fit ever to become the ruler of his people."

The King acknowledged that he had asked his son to renounce the throne, but he asked the reporter "to be excused from discussing in detail the circumstances of the renunciation."

"It is a long and painful story. But I can tell you this, that there were no political motives behind it. It was my own act, provoked by my son's extraordinary conduct. No political leader forced a decision on me.

"Although my action gave deep anguish and pain to the Queen and myself, it had to be done in the interests of my country, the people, the Government and the Crown."

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"Carol proved by his repeated moral delinquencies that he was entirely unfitted to assume the duties of a sovereign. Therefore, I demanded his renunciation. I could with propriety have done nothing else."

There was "much secrecy" about Prince Carol's renunciation of his dynastic rights last December. His love affairs "were known to have played a large part in his difficulties with his parents," but many assumed there were also political motives for his renunciation.

His first marriage to Zizi Lambrino, a woman of "humble stock" was annulled, and in 1921, he made a suitable marriage with his second cousin, Princess Helen of Greece. This "marriage did not prove happy and stories were constantly in circulation concerning Carol's escapades."

He appears to now be involved with a Romanian commoner, Elena Lupescu. According to the latest reports, they have bought a villa outside of Paris.

Carol was recently dropped from the royal civil list, although his private income is said to be about $30,000.