Queen Anne was buried, on Saturday, in the New Archbishopric and Royal Cathedral that stands near the Curtea de Arges monastery.
The funerary procession that left from Bucharest and traveled through Chitila – Gaesti – Topoloveni – Pitesti arrived in Curtea de Arges after more than three hours, being greeted along the way by thousands of people who clapped and threw flowers on the road ahead of the hearse.
The coffin with the body of Queen Anne was carried by eight servicemen from the 30th ‘Mihai Viteazul’ Guards Regiment who deposed it on a bier in front of the new cathedral.
The funeral service started just shy of 16.00, being officiated by His Holiness Nifon, Archbishop of Targoviste and His Holiness Calinic, Archbishop of Arges and Muscel, together with an assembly of orthodox priests. The religious ceremony was attended by hundreds of people.
The Orthodox service lasted nearly half an hour, after which the coffin of Queen Anne was taken inside the new cathedral, where the burial service took place in private.
The New Cathedral will not be available for visitation for seven days after the funeral.
Flowers and applause for Queen Anne on road to Curtea de Arges
The funerary procession that was transporting Queen Anne to her final resting place in Curtea de Arges has attracted hundreds of people on the side of the road in the localities it passed through.
The hearse carrying Queen Anne took the “old road” to Pitesti, in the applause of those it passed near. Others chose to salute the funerary procession by waving the Romanian flag.
Many laid flowers on the road ahead of the hearse, and the gates of some houses were adorned with the flag especially for this event, as some confessed.
People gathered on the side of the road from the start of the hearse’s travel from Bucharest and some preferred to wait even an hour, some out of curiosity, others, though, mostly aged 70 and above, out of solidarity with the Royal Family, with tears in their eyes or under the spell of memories. Most filmed or photographed with mobile phones the funeral procession.
“It is a sad event. We came out to great her with pleasure, with love, because they were our sovereigns,” said an octogenarian from Gaesti, who considers that Romania should return to a monarchy, because “we would be better off”. “All that came and went destroyed the country, please don’t hold that [belief] against me,” he argued.
A villager considers that “it’s a great thing” that the authorities “were able” to organize such an event, while a worker from a group that ceased activity during the passing of the funeral procession claimed that “the country has far bigger issues, such as poverty.”
The bells tolled in Topoloveni all throughout the passing of the funeral procession.
Over 1000 persons participated on Saturday, day declared of national mourning, at the service officiated for Queen Anne of Romania in the Palace Square in Bucharest.
The Royal Funeral started around 9.30 in the Throne Room of the Royal Palace, when the members of the Royal Family reached the bier, followed at 10.00 by members of foreign Royal Families. An Orthodox religious service was officiated in the Throne Room, followed by a Catholic Requiem service in the Palace Square.
King Michael did not attend the funeral, remaining in Switzerland, at the recommendation of medics.
Romanian authorities declared Saturday, August 13, a day of national mourning.
Exhibition dedicated to Romanian Royal House inaugurated in Curtea de Arges City Museum
An exhibition dedicated to the Romanian Royal House was inaugurated at the Curtea de Arges City Museum, it being open until August 21.
The exhibition was put together in memory of Queen Anne, who will be buried in Curtea de Arges on Saturday, according to a release of the Curtea de Arges City Museum remitted on Saturday to Agerpres.
“During the exhibition you can see photographs of the members of the Royal House, both with Queen Anne, King Michael, King Carol II, King Ferdinand and Queen Mary, as well as images from the funeral of King Ferdinand. The exhibition also comprises antiques, porcelain vases bearing the image of King Ferdinand and Queen Mary, as well as photographic albums with different moments in the lives of the members of the Royal House,” the release mentions.
The Curtea de Arges City Museum is also host to a condolence book, for those who want to bring a last homage to Queen Anne. Those who wish to bring homage can do so until August 21, date on which the book will be handed over to the members of the Royal House.
