Maria of Yugoslavia, Queen of Yugoslavia from 1922 to 1934 (d. 1961) [1]

Maria of Yugoslavia, born Princess Maria of Romania on January 6, 1900, was a prominent figure in 20th-century European royalty and a pivotal member of the Karađorđević dynasty. Known in Serbo-Croatian as Marija Karađorđević (Serbian Cyrillic: Марија Карађорђевић), she held the esteemed title of Queen of the Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, later becoming Queen of Yugoslavia, through her marriage to King Alexander I from 1922 until his assassination in 1934. She was also the mother of Peter II, who would be the last reigning monarch of Yugoslavia.

Her life spanned significant historical transformations in the Balkans and Europe, from the height of monarchical power to the turbulent interwar period, World War II, and the subsequent rise of communism. Despite her significant royal status, she faced profound challenges later in life, including exile and the revocation of her citizenship and property by the Yugoslav Communist regime in 1947. Decades later, her historical standing was officially restored when she was legally "rehabilitated" in 2014 by the Serbian state, acknowledging the injustice of past political decrees.

Early Life, Royal Lineage, and Education

Born in Gotha, Germany, Princess Maria of Romania was a direct descendant of some of Europe's most influential royal houses. Her father was King Ferdinand I of Romania, a member of the Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen dynasty, while her mother was Queen Marie of Romania, born Princess Marie of Edinburgh. Through her mother, Maria was a granddaughter of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom and Emperor Alexander II of Russia, connecting her to the British, Russian, and German imperial and royal families. This illustrious lineage provided her with a cosmopolitan upbringing and a profound awareness of her dynastic responsibilities. Maria received a comprehensive education, reflecting the standards expected of European royalty, preparing her for a life of public service and diplomatic engagement.

Marriage to King Alexander I and Role as Queen

On June 8, 1922, Princess Maria married King Alexander I of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes in a grand ceremony in Belgrade. This union was more than a personal bond; it was a significant dynastic and political alliance aimed at strengthening ties between Romania and the newly formed South Slav state. Upon her marriage, she became Queen of the Serbs, Croats and Slovenes. In 1929, when King Alexander formally proclaimed the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, Queen Maria's title consequently changed to Queen of Yugoslavia.

As Queen, Maria, often affectionately known as "Mina," embraced her role with dedication and dignity. She was highly respected and popular among the populace for her modesty and commitment to charitable work. She became a patron of numerous humanitarian organizations, actively supporting hospitals, orphanages, and educational initiatives across the diverse regions of Yugoslavia. Her efforts were particularly focused on improving public health and welfare, leaving a lasting positive impression on her subjects.

Widowhood, Exile, and the Fate of the Monarchy

Queen Maria's life took a tragic turn on October 9, 1934, when King Alexander I was assassinated in Marseille, France, during a state visit. This devastating event left her a widow and thrust her eldest son, Peter II, into the role of King at the tender age of 11. Due to Peter's minority, a regency council was established to govern the kingdom. The political instability that followed, coupled with the escalating tensions leading to World War II, profoundly impacted the royal family.

With the invasion of Yugoslavia by the Axis powers in April 1941, the royal family, including Queen Maria and her sons, was forced into exile, primarily settling in the United Kingdom. She continued to support the Yugoslav cause from abroad, working tirelessly for the Red Cross and other humanitarian organizations aiding her occupied homeland.

Post-War Persecution and Posthumous Rehabilitation

Following World War II, Yugoslavia transitioned into a socialist federal republic under the leadership of Marshal Josip Broz Tito's Communist Party. The new regime moved swiftly to dismantle the former royal establishment. In 1947, Queen Maria's Yugoslav citizenship was retroactively revoked, and all her extensive properties within Yugoslavia were confiscated by the state. These actions were characteristic of how communist governments across Eastern Europe treated deposed monarchs and their families, labeling them as enemies of the state and symbols of a past political order.

Queen Maria spent her remaining years in exile, primarily residing in London, where she passed away on June 22, 1961, at the age of 61. She was initially interred at the Royal Burial Ground at Frogmore, Windsor, in the United Kingdom.

However, decades after her passing, a significant act of historical reconciliation occurred. On October 19, 2014, a Belgrade court formally "rehabilitated" Queen Maria. This legal ruling annulled the 1947 decree, restoring her rights and dignity, and symbolically recognized the injustice of the communist regime's actions against her and the royal family. This rehabilitation paved the way for her solemn reburial at the Royal Mausoleum of Oplenac in Serbia on April 29, 2013, alongside her husband King Alexander I and other members of the Karađorđević dynasty. Her reinterment marked a symbolic return home for the beloved Queen and a significant moment in modern Serbian history.

Frequently Asked Questions About Queen Maria of Yugoslavia

When was Queen Maria of Yugoslavia born and when did she die?
Queen Maria was born on January 6, 1900, and passed away on June 22, 1961.
What was Queen Maria's original nationality and title?
She was originally a Princess of Romania, born Princess Maria of Romania.
Who was Queen Maria married to?
She was married to King Alexander I of Yugoslavia (previously King of the Serbs, Croats and Slovenes).
Who was Queen Maria's most famous child?
She was the mother of Peter II, the last King of Yugoslavia.
Why was Queen Maria's citizenship revoked and her property confiscated?
Her citizenship was revoked and her property confiscated by the Yugoslav Communist regime in 1947 as part of a broader policy against the former royal family and those associated with the previous monarchy after World War II.
What does it mean that Queen Maria was "rehabilitated" in 2014?
Her "rehabilitation" in 2014 was a legal act by a Serbian court that formally annulled the unjust decisions of the communist regime, restoring her legal rights and dignity posthumously.
Where is Queen Maria buried?
She was initially buried at Frogmore in the United Kingdom but was reinterred at the Royal Mausoleum of Oplenac in Serbia on April 29, 2013, alongside other members of the Karađorđević dynasty.