BANISHED PRINCE

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 441, 24 May 1937, Page 3

BANISHED PRINCE

HIS COMMONER WIFE Rumanian Sensation Sian Francisco, May 7* A dozen Foreign Offices' in Europe buzzed with excitement over the news that Prince Nicholas of Rumania had been arrested by his brother, King Carol. Far removed from Bucharest, the step-father of the girl’ who caused, it all—the beautiful 25-year-old coni' moner wife of Nicholas —sat quietly in a San 1 apartment and; gazed dreamily in o space. He was Prince Zourab Tchkotoua, whose son-in-law, Nicholas, was “read out” of the Rumanian Royal Family but a few hours previously because he preferred the love of hi 3 wife to his title. Prince Tchkoitoub, a Russian nob' Icman from the province of Georgia settled in Rumania following the break-up of General Wrangel’s White Army in the Crimea af-er the revolution. The Pr ice, a •.ail, *-kgantly clad fen •■» v v itb a military moustache, a shy smile ‘and friendly slate grey eyes, told the story thus: “The cavalry unit in which I served brok A up. and so I went turn the Crimea J Constanza by A.’Hed transport, and settled in Rumania, managing estates. Then I married. My wife had U daughter—Jana Dob etti —‘by a previous marriage. In time I became manager of Prince Nicholas’ estates at Snagov, outside Bucharest. One summer, in 1929, we went *to the seashore at Constanza, and it wiae< there that Nicholas met Jana. They fell in love and were married. “Nicholas tried to obtain Court consent to the union from Radus Savino, President of the Rumanian Parliament but withoujt sujcce-ss, Carol wanted to be restored, and so, Nicholas agreed to help through his friends—the military cliquel—provided Carol would grant sanction -to the union and .give up Magda Lupescu, his titian-haired companion. Wanted Carol’s Permission. “Nicholas went 'to his Snagov estate and lived there until 1931. He

waited for Carol’s permission, but it did not arrive, and Zin the end he argued with Carol because Mme. Lube? cu had returned to her former place in (fie Imperial palace. “The members of Parliament, still regarding Carol with favour, forced Nicholas into exile. He lived in Paris for two yetars, and then his friend.?, the military clique, forced Carol to permit hia ieturn.

‘‘Since that time Nicholas hast tried in vain to obtain the permission he first asked eight years ago. Mamda’s influence has been the cause of much of Carol’s recent unpopularity, and soon the people, may go against him.” A reflection of the Prince's sentiment was contained in reports* emanating from Bucharest, which said that high church dignitaries and statesmen had commenceld; a drifve. for the banishment of Mme. Lupescu. Does the Prince in San Francisco have (anything to say as the more or less outraged step-parent A weary smile, a gesture of long hands, and he ehakes his head, saying;. “No, there, is nothing to say. Polities, you know.” “Censorship, You See.’’ The Prince said that he saw Jana and her idyial husband at the Rumanian Christmas, in January, and tSiat he talked to his wife, over the TransA'.U'anl lie telephone a few. day?/ bel fore his airival ip San Francisco, but she did not mention anything political—“censorship, you see,” he com? mented. Reports had it that Nicholas would be exiled to France, Austria, or the United States. Prince Zourab thought that Nicholas mighit, elect to come to America, as he had a very great admiration for the country ever since he visited tEe United States with his mother. Queen Mlarie. The Prince intimated that he had been in the) United: States for 'two months, making a survey of the wine industry. An expert on vintage, he has an idea that American cognac could be made “just like that' in France.” He was visiting Sian Francisco with his cousin, Prince Nicholas, whom he had not seen since the revolution. From the drift of their conversation it was clear to envisage the Prince Tochkotoua sharing a modest aparemenit, loyally decorated with portraits of their late Czar and uniformed relatives, and working toward an American future heedlets of Balkan intrigue and sabre, rattling. “Carol has double-crossed hi? brother in banishing him,” Prince Zourab declared. “He is s-c ing at the request of Mme. Lupescu, wEo is more powerful than he is. The decision to banish Nicholas ig. sudden. My wife in Bucharest cabled me on April 9, and made no mention of any trouble.” St. Nicholas, patron saint of children, was represented by a Russian ikon, brought to San Francisco by Prince Zourab of Rumania. The Prince said he carried, the ikon during hi s escape from Russia, and stated that it was his intention to give i't to his brother, who is now a resiuewt af Los Angeles.

Nicholas was nominaled by his brother ae principal deleg-te to the British comnation, but. on banish, ment, was replaced by Carol’s young son, Michael, who was a king before bis father. Late in April he volunarily flew in his own 'plane and, with bls young wife into exile, leaving Bucharest for Vienna. He planned to ive in Milan, where he would be known as Mr. Nicholas Brana,’’ having renounced all hte family and as-w-T. hU fath6r ‘ 3 family name. Nicholas stated before lefa.vlng Ru, mama that he had intended to de vote himself to the study of aviation n Italy, having always been a most enthusiastic flyer.