Michael I of Romania

Michael I became King of Romania for the first time on July 20, 1927, at age six, following the death of his grandfather Ferdinand I. A regency council ruled in his name until his father Carol II returned and took the throne in 1930.

On August 23, 1944, King Michael I led a coup that arrested Conduc

For his role in the 1944 coup, King Michael I was awarded the Order of Victory by Soviet leader Joseph Stalin on July 6, 1945. He was the only foreign head of state to receive this highest Soviet military decoration.

On December 30, 1947, King Michael I was forced to abdicate by the communist-dominated government under Prime Minister Petru Groza. He was exiled from Romania, and the monarchy was abolished, with the country becoming the People's Republic of Romania.

After the Romanian Revolution of 1989, King Michael I was allowed to return to Romania for the first time in 45 years. He visited in 1992 for Easter celebrations, receiving a massive popular welcome, though he was not restored to the throne.