Who will return to their thrones?

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February 24, 1945


As the war in Europe moves toward an Allied victor, six exiled monarchs, four kings, a queen, and grand duchesses, watch and wait every political move, each hoping they will be able to "reascend their long-vacated thrones," according to an INS dispatch.

In what is being called the European Monarchical Stakes,  three "will prove to be winners, two may fade before they can reach the winning post, while the sixth is being spoken of in informed quarters as an eventual nonstarter."

Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands, King Haakon of Norway, and Grand Duchess Charlotte of Luxembourg are all expected to regain their thrones when the war is over.  Neither King Peter II of Yugoslavia nor King George II of the Hellenes will return to their countries anytime soon.

King Zog of Albania is not expected to even "leave the starting gate."

Watching from the sidelines from the secure monarchies, including King George VI and the Kings of Denmark, Sweden, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, and Ethiopia.  Less secure are the thrones of the young King Michael of Romania and King Simeon of Bulgaria, who is a child monarch, under the protection of a regency.  No one expects King Umberto to regain his throne, as the monarchy was voted out in a referendum last May.   Also waiting in the wings in exile is Don Juan, the Count of Barcelona, son of the late King  Alfonso XIII, who went into exile in 1931 after Spain was declared a republic.  There is no sign that Generalissimo Franco will restore the monarchy.

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 Grand Duchess Charlotte has the shortest odds as political commentators believe that there is no doubt that the Luxembourg monarchy will return.  The only matter is the actual date of restoration.

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King Haakon VII of Norway is also expected to return although some believe he will abdicate in favor of his son, Crown Prince Olav.  Haakon is 72 years old.  His son has been "closely identified with the Norwegian resistance movement."

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Queen Wilhelmina has been queen for 54 years.  She is an "institution" in the Netherlands. Only a "major constitutional upheaval" could prevent her return.  This seems unlikely, however.

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King Peter II, according to political observers has done "his personal cause incalculable harm" by his objection to the Tito-Subasich agreement. His cause, and, indeed, his throne,  may have been weakened by the frequent squabbles with his British advisors.

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King George II has proved to be "tractable" in accepting the Greek regency, but whether this can translate into a restoration remains to be seen.  The Greek monarchy has not known stability in this century.   There are worries that free elections will lead not to restoration but to a republic.

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No one believes that Zog, who went into exile with his wife, Queen Geraldine, and newborn son, Leka, in 1939, after Italy invaded Albania, will return to his country.  If Albanians decide to restore the monarchy,  Zog is unlikely to get their support.

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