06 June 2023 , 13:21
784
0
With his historic Coronation as well as a bursting diary of royal duties to keep on top of - it's certainly been a busy time for King Charles.
So it's no wonder that he believes a holiday is in order to relax and recharge the batteries.
In his first overseas visit since he was officially crowned, it has been confirmed he is currently holidaying solo without Queen Camilla - in Romania's Transylvania region.
It may seem like an unlikely choice of holiday destination for the monarch but royal expert and historian Dr Tessa Dunlop tells the Mirror how the King's "love affair" with Romania is long-standing - and says it's easy to see why he loves the country...
King Charles pictured on a hike in the village of Valea Zalanului in Romania (AFP via Getty Images)The King's love affair with Romania, according to a royal expert
King Charles has been indulging in a long-term love affair. One that doesn't involve Camilla.
Kate Middleton swears by £19.99 rosehip oil that helps 'reduce wrinkles & scars'
All alone he is visiting his favourite holiday hideaway where the King hangs out with the president, recites poetry in a foreign language and is the recipient of unadulterated love and support.
Ironically his destination is not one of his fourteen overseas realms (they've had to wait), but rather Romania, a country the King has travelled to almost every year (except during the pandemic) since 1998.
Another of his crank projects? Perhaps. But one that he is fully committed to. His love for Romania has long roots.
As early as 1989 Charles was challenging Romania's communist dictator Ceausescu over bulldozing the country's traditional rural architecture. The then Prince worried some "frightful undercover agent; might stab him in the left buttock with a poisoned umbrella."
Charles has been visiting Romania since the late 1990s (AFP via Getty Images)
Charles smiles as he is greeted by passers-by in Romania at the weekend (AFP via Getty Images)It was worth the risk. Subsequently, Charles has built up a considerable property portfolio in a country renowned for its unique craftsmanship, peasant practices and exquisite countryside.
Romania's wild Transylvania speaks to our rural King in a way that more urban Britain never could. A Transylvanian meadow was planted at Highgrove and Dumfries House fosters efforts to re-establish traditional craft, but Romania is the real deal.
This weekend, the King picnicked with the locals and walked the hills, a shepherd's crook in hand.
The King is greeted by locals as he arrives at his estate in Valea Zalanului at the weekend (EDIT KATAI/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)There is no precedent for Charles' extensive interest, and Romania is hugely flattered by our King's attention.
They have awarded him the Star of Romania, (one of their highest honours), line the streets to welcome him (there are no dissenting boos) and cried "one of ours is on the British throne" when he was crowned.
As Romania's leading royal reporter, Camelia Csiki, explained: "Here Charles receives love and admiration that he does not in the UK."
Kate rules out receiving romantic gift from Prince William on Valentine's Day
And the King rewards that love; he makes speeches about "why I come so often to Romania" explaining "you, my Romanian friends.. your identity, what you can do... this is what makes you special."
Charles has a meeting with Romanian President Klaus Iohannis at the start of his visit (Robert Ghement/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)He learns key Romanian words and shows off his extraordinary heritage: through his great Grandmother Queen Mary, he is the sixteen-times removed grandson of Vlad the Impaler.
"Aren't you fed up of me always coming over?" the monarch asked one woman.
"No, no!' she cried "We love you!" and she meant it. Hail Charles, the King of Transylvania.
Tessa Dunlop is talking about the Royal Family at Devizes Book Festival, on Saturday, June 10 at 3pm. Click here for tickets.