Former king hands reign to daughter

BUCHAREST: Romania’s former king, who’s been diagnosed with leukaemia and another form of cancer, said he’ll withdraw from public life and pass his responsibilities as the head of the Royal House to his daughter, Margareta. King Michael, 94, who was exiled between World War II and 1997 and currently lives in Switzerland, has already undergone surgery that will prevent him from carrying out his duties, the Royal House said on Wednesday in a speech on its website. Michael is the last king of the eastern European nation, whose royal family holds a ceremonial role. “I’m convinced my daughter Margareta will find the wisdom and strength to represent me and fulfil all my public duties,” Michael said in a speech read out by a Royal House spokesman.