The senior royal formerly known as Prince Charles fell in love with the Transylvanian village of Viscri and bought property there in 2006. Now that the prince has become king, locals of the village wait for a visit from the new monarch.
A Tiny Romanian Village Awaits Britain's New King
- By RFE/RL
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These Romanians gathered on September 18 to mourn the death of Queen Elizabeth II in the yard of a property in Viscri, Romania.
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Andrew Noble, Britain’s ambassador to Romania, prepares to speak during the September 18 memorial event in Viscri.
The picturesque courtyard where the memorial event was held is at the center of a property owned by Britain's new King Charles III, whose links to Romania’s Transylvania region stretch back decades.
The picturesque courtyard where the memorial event was held is at the center of a property owned by Britain's new King Charles III, whose links to Romania’s Transylvania region stretch back decades.
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A photo taken in May of then-Prince Charles speaking with locals in Transylvania.
Charles first visited Transylvania in 1998 and has said he immediately fell in love with Romania. The British king can trace his lineage back to Vlad Tepes, one of Romania’s national heroes who was also known as “Vlad the Impaler” for his ruthless treatment of enemies.
Charles first visited Transylvania in 1998 and has said he immediately fell in love with Romania. The British king can trace his lineage back to Vlad Tepes, one of Romania’s national heroes who was also known as “Vlad the Impaler” for his ruthless treatment of enemies.
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The fortified church of Viscri, the village where King Charles III owns property.
After his 1988 visit, the then-prince traveled to Romania in most years, usually in the spring. In a 2020 video, he said: “I have come to know and to love so much about Romania,” adding: “There is so much more that I long to explore.”
After his 1988 visit, the then-prince traveled to Romania in most years, usually in the spring. In a 2020 video, he said: “I have come to know and to love so much about Romania,” adding: “There is so much more that I long to explore.”
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A tourist from Kazakhstan takes a photo of an entrance to King Charles's Viscri property on September 11.
Locals of Viscri say Charles’s influence on their tiny village has been mostly positive, with the settlement now a popular site for travelers. Camelia Badica, a shopkeeper and handicraft seller, told Reuters: “Of course, these droves of tourists have improved sales and women's work.”
Locals of Viscri say Charles’s influence on their tiny village has been mostly positive, with the settlement now a popular site for travelers. Camelia Badica, a shopkeeper and handicraft seller, told Reuters: “Of course, these droves of tourists have improved sales and women's work.”
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Two local boys look at the gate of the house owned by King Charles in Viscri.
Below the black ribbon seen on the gate in this September 13 photo, a message reads in Romanian and English: “We are deeply saddened to learn of the death of Her Majesty The Queen. Our thoughts and prayers are with His Majesty The King Charles and members of the Royal Family at this time.”
Below the black ribbon seen on the gate in this September 13 photo, a message reads in Romanian and English: “We are deeply saddened to learn of the death of Her Majesty The Queen. Our thoughts and prayers are with His Majesty The King Charles and members of the Royal Family at this time.”
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An aerial view of Viscri on September 13.
One effect of the royal presence in the village is a sharp spike in property prices in an area where houses once sold for a few thousand euros. A local man told AFP: "Viscri was a forgotten village, and now small houses are selling for over 40,000 euros!"
One effect of the royal presence in the village is a sharp spike in property prices in an area where houses once sold for a few thousand euros. A local man told AFP: "Viscri was a forgotten village, and now small houses are selling for over 40,000 euros!"
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The main street of Viscri on September 13.
It is unclear when the new king will return to this Romanian village, but locals expect they won't need to wait long until the new monarch takes a break from his royal duties. A Romanian visitor to Viscri told AFP: "Everything is so simple here, so calm.... We understand why the prince fell in love."
It is unclear when the new king will return to this Romanian village, but locals expect they won't need to wait long until the new monarch takes a break from his royal duties. A Romanian visitor to Viscri told AFP: "Everything is so simple here, so calm.... We understand why the prince fell in love."
