Queen Marie of Romania: A Baha’i Pioneer on a European Throne

Baha’i News – Queen Marie of Romania (born Princess Marie Alexandra Victoria of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha) was a unique figure in European history. She was more than just a queen and a monarch’s wife; she was an artist, writer, unofficial diplomat, and, above all, a soul seeking spiritual truth. What distinctly sets her apart is her deep and unexpected connection to the Baha’i Faith, making her one of the most prominent royal figures to openly express sympathy and support for this global religion in the early 20th century. This report aims to explore Queen Marie’s life, her reign, and her inspiring relationship with the Baha’i Faith through her writings and letters.

Life and Upbringing of Princess Marie: Royal Roots and an Inquisitive Spirit

Born on October 29, 1875, at Eastwell Park, Kent, England, Princess Marie was the granddaughter of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom through her father, Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh and Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, and of Grand Duchess Maria Alexandrovna of Russia through her mother. She grew up in a diverse royal environment, spending her childhood between England, Malta, and Germany. This varied upbringing contributed to shaping her independent and open-minded personality, receptive to different cultures and ideas.

In 1893, she married Prince Ferdinand of Romania, who became King of Romania in 1914, making Marie Queen of Romania. She played a crucial role during World War I, serving as a nurse on the front lines and vigorously supporting her country’s war efforts. She became a national symbol of resilience and unity, known as “the soldiers’ queen” and “the mother queen.” After the war, her diplomatic efforts at the Paris Peace Conference (1919) were pivotal in the recognition of Greater Romania, incorporating new territories.

Queen Marie’s Spiritual Quest and Discovery of the Baha’i Faith

Queen Marie was inherently spiritual, constantly seeking answers to existential questions and the true meaning of life. She read many philosophical and religious books, exploring various doctrines. In the early 1920s, she was introduced to the Baha’i Faith through her cousin, Princess Elisabeth of Hesse and by Rhine, who was an ardent Baha’i. However, the greatest influence came from Martha Root, the prominent American Baha’i traveler and teacher, who visited Romania in 1926 and met Queen Marie several times.

Martha Root’s encounters left a profound impact on Queen Marie. The Queen found in Baha’i teachings, such as the Oneness of God, the Oneness of Religions, and the Oneness of Humankind, compelling and comprehensive answers to her spiritual aspirations and her vision for a better future for the world. Queen Marie was not merely an admirer of the Baha’i Faith; she became an outspoken supporter, which was unusual for a European monarch at that time.

Queen Marie’s Letters and Writings: A Royal Voice for Peace and Unity

Queen Marie expressed her deep admiration for the Baha’i Faith through numerous newspaper articles and letters published in Baha’i and general magazines. Her writings were clear evidence of her conviction in the principles of this religion and its ability to achieve world peace.

Among Queen Marie’s most notable writings:

• In “Canada Star” magazine in 1926, she wrote: “The Baha’i Message carries within it the spirit of peace and unity that the world so desperately needs in this turbulent age… If humanity could adopt unity as its fundamental principle, much of its suffering would vanish.”
• In an article published in “The National Pictorial” in 1926, she stated: “I have found in the Baha’i Faith the solution to many of my spiritual problems. It is the religion that brings people of all faiths and ethnicities together in love and unity.”
• In a famous letter addressed to a Baha’i magazine in 1927, which circulated widely, Queen Marie declared: “I have found in the Baha’i teachings the same true spirit of Christ that I have always sought… It is a powerful call to the unity of humankind, and the abandonment of all forms of fanaticism and prejudice. I see in it the light that will lead the world into a new era of peace and justice.” She added in the same letter: “The principle of the unity of humankind, which is the essence of the Baha’i teachings, represents humanity’s only hope. When we realize that we are all children of one God, and that our goal is to build a global civilization governed by peace and love, we will take our first steps towards true salvation.”

Queen Marie’s letters were not merely fleeting expressions of admiration; they were expressions of a firm conviction in the necessity of applying the principles of unity and peace on a global scale. She saw in the Baha’i Faith a practical model for achieving this goal and challenged royal norms by openly endorsing it.

Queen Marie’s Baha’i Legacy and Influence

Although she never fully declared herself a Baha’i (which might have had political and religious repercussions at the time), her public support for the Baha’i Faith had a significant impact. She lent credibility and visibility to the Baha’i teachings early in its Western history. Her testimony served as a beacon for many and opened doors for further research and interest in this emerging religion.

Queen Marie passed away in 1938, but her legacy as a progressive queen and spiritual pioneer remains alive. Her connection to the Baha’i Faith stands as a powerful testament to the appeal of its universal teachings and its ability to transcend cultural, social, and political boundaries. She embodied the true spirit of seeking truth and contributing to building a better world, regardless of the constraints imposed by the throne or conventions….More

.
Article Author
Bahia Bekkali
Journalist and Writer
ABN Bahá’í News Institute
Contact: bahiabekkali@abnnews.net

.

Queen Marie of Romania, Baha’i Faith, Martha Root, Baha’i royal family, Baháʼu’lláh, History of Romania, Baha’i News, Baha’i Faith Queen, Martha Root and Romania, Baha’ism, Royal testimony to the Baha’i Faith, Queen Marie’s spiritual letters, Princess Elisabeth of Hesse, Baha’i peace-building, Spiritual Queen of Romania, European Baha’i influence, Queen of Soldiers and the Baha’i Faith, The Throne and the Baha’i Faith, Teachings of Baháʼu’lláh, Queen’s spiritual quest, Peleş Castle, Baha’i history in Romania, Influential Baha’i figures, Queen Marie Baha’i, Royal Endorsement, Baha’i History.