A history of doing good What began in January 1990 as an immediate gesture of human solidarity has, over more than three decades, evolved into a story of reconstruction and hope. The history of the Margareta of Romania Royal Foundation is not merely a chronology of projects, but a reflection of the evolution of Romanian society. From the first emergency aid provided to orphanages and hospitals, we moved toward building strong communities, bringing generations together through sustainable projects. Today, we continue the mission assumed by Her Majesty Margareta, remaining faithful to our founding values: responsibility, loyalty, and concrete involvement in the lives of those who need us most – children, talented young people, and older adults. 36 YEARS OF PROJECTS IN 36 PHOTOS The arrival in Romania of Her Majesty Margareta and Her Royal Highness Princess Sofia, daughters of King Michael and Queen Anne, at Otopeni Airport. Bucharest, January 18, 1990 © MIRCEA HUDEK / AGERPRES PHOTO ARCHIVE Between 1990 and 1998, the Foundation supported children diagnosed with HIV/AIDS hospitalized in the Infectious Diseases Department of Colentina Hospital in Bucharest, by donating medical equipment, training medical staff, supporting a nutrition program, and equipping a playground. © PHOTOGRAPHS FROM THE ARCHIVES OF THE ROYAL HOUSE OF ROMANIA On April 23, 1991, the Romania office of the Swiss Princess Margareta of Romania Foundation was inaugurated in Bucharest. Her Majesty, together with HRH Princess Sofia, was constantly present in Bucharest and in communities across the country in order to more effectively coordinate the organization’s projects. Her Majesty Margareta and HRH Princess Sofia visiting Brașov © PHOTOGRAPHS FROM THE ARCHIVES OF CURTEA VECHE PUBLISHING HOUSE King Michael and Queen Anne during their visit to Romania on the occasion of the Easter holidays. Otopeni, April 27, 1992 © VIOREL LĂZĂRESCU / AGERPRES PHOTO ARCHIVE The Royal Foundation assumed the mission of encouraging the arts and supporting young Romanian artists. Her Majesty Margareta at the UNITER Awards Gala Bucharest, January 12, 1993 © ARMAND ROSENTHAL / AGERPRES PHOTO ARCHIVE Between 1991 and 1993, the medical clinic in Brănești, a community of 10,000 inhabitants, was rebuilt and equipped with modern medical equipment. The clinic’s medical team was trained with the Foundation’s support, and between 1993 and 2001 the Foundation included the Brănești community in several health education programs. Her Majesty Margareta, together with HRH Princess Sofia, inaugurating the Brănești medical clinic © PHOTOGRAPHS FROM THE ARCHIVES OF THE ROYAL HOUSE OF ROMANIA The first project dedicated exclusively to older adults was the Our Seniors network, a large-scale initiative implemented between 1993 and 2005. Starting in 1996, the Seniors’ Club joined this program. The project partnered with eight Mutual Aid Associations for Pensioners (CARP) in Bucharest, through which the Foundation distributed monthly food and clothing packages to older people with very small pensions. Her Majesty Margareta visiting the Seniors’ Club At the beginning of January, at the orphanage in the Chibrit neighborhood of Bucharest, Her Majesty Margareta met for the first time her future husband, Prince Radu. Prince Radu was organizing the first art therapy project in Romania for orphaned children. After attending a demonstration workshop with the children, Her Majesty decided that the Foundation would carry out the Artschool project together with UNITER. The project lasted seven years. Her Majesty Margareta and HRH Prince Radu during theater-based socialization activities for institutionalized children © PHOTOGRAPHS FROM THE ARCHIVES OF THE ROYAL HOUSE OF ROMANIA The visit to Romania of King Michael, accompanied by Queen Anne, Her Majesty Margareta, and HRH Prince Radu. Bucharest, March 4, 1997 © ARTUR MUSTAȚĂ / AGERPRES PHOTO ARCHIVE Between 1990 and 2006, nearly all Foundation projects were funded almost exclusively through branches abroad – Geneva, London, Paris, Brussels, and New York. Through fundraising events such as concerts, balls, galas, auctions, and charity visits, volunteers and professionals mobilized by Her Majesty abroad raised more than €6 million for poor communities, children, and older people in Romania. King Michael and Her Majesty Margareta together with Fanny Ardant and Lord Yehudi Menuhin at the Royal Foundation Gala, Paris, 1997 © PHOTOGRAPHS FROM THE ARCHIVES OF THE ROYAL HOUSE OF ROMANIA Her Majesty Margareta visiting a Mutual Aid Association for Pensioners supported by the Foundation. Since 2000, the Special Fund for Children has supported children and young people through scholarships, material assistance, emotional support, and motivational camps, aiming to prevent school dropout, juvenile delinquency, and social exclusion. Other child-focused projects include: Developing NGOs for Children and Adolescents in Difficulty (2000), One Child, One Family (2001), CRESC (2001–2005), ChildNet (2002–2003), I Can Be Independent (2005–2007), and the Generații Community Center (2007–present). Children benefiting from the national Special Fund for Children program 2024 (C) BOGDAN DINCĂ Each project has been developed based on local community needs and strong partnerships, focusing on community strengthening and development, education, and social solidarity. Examples include: Saint Nicholas Community Centers (2001–2003), Ghencea (2003–2006), Chilia Veche (2003–2007), Cuore (2006), Our Children (2006–2009), Hercules Intergenerational Center (2006–2010), and the Generații Center (2007–present). The Hercules Intergenerational Center in Costești King Michael, Queen Anne, Her Majesty Margareta, and HRH Prince Radu attended a carol and poetry performance by children from Placement Center No. 7 in Bucharest, beneficiaries of the Foundation’s programs. Bucharest, December 20, 2002 © SORIN LUPȘA / AGERPRES PHOTO ARCHIVE Initiated in 2005, the Hairdresser of Hope program aims to bring joy and dignity into the lives of seniors, helping them feel pampered and beautiful. Since 2007, the project has become part of the Generații Community Center in Bucharest. Her Majesty Margareta alongside senior beneficiaries of the Hairdresser of Hope program Since 2006, the Foundation has carried out volunteer projects for older people, where volunteers spend time with them, accompany them to theaters, recitals, or museums, or deliver aid packages to their homes. In 2024 alone, 390 young volunteers and 190 senior volunteers were involved in social and educational projects. Foundation volunteers preparing aid package distributions for seniors Bucharest, December 21, 2022 © ALEX TUDOR / AGERPRES PHOTO Between 2007 and 2016, every December, the Foundation implemented the Story Evenings project in partnership with Cărturești bookstores. Renowned storytellers revived fairy-tale heroes for hundreds of children, including Her Majesty Margareta, Victor Rebengiuc, Mircea Albulescu, Eugen Cristea, Marian Râlea, Anca Sigartău, Alexandrina Halic, Andreea Esca, Virgil Ianțu, Alessandra Stoicescu, Iuliana Tudor, Andrei Zaharescu, Andreea Berecleanu, Andreea Raicu, Ada Milea, and many other supporters. Her Majesty Margareta and HRH Princess Maria attending Story Evenings 2015 (C) DANIEL ANGELESCU Since 2007, the Generații Community Center in Bucharest has provided social assistance and educational services to children from disadvantaged families in Sector 6. It operates as an after-school center, promoting intergenerational solidarity, preventing school dropout, reducing the isolation of older people, and acting as a mentor for social centers in other communities wishing to adopt the intergenerational model. A senior volunteer helping with homework at the Generații Community Center in Bucharest Starting in 2008, on King Michael’s birthday, the Foundation has organized a fundraising concert at the Romanian Athenaeum in support of the national Young Talents program. The annual charity concert series was inaugurated by Maestro Dan Grigore. By 2025, the longest-running fundraising event reached its 16th edition, awarding 470 scholarships and investing over €2.2 million in Romania’s artistic future. The first Royal Charity Concert – an extraordinary recital by Maestro Dan Grigore In 2008–2009, the first version of the Fund for Older People program was launched to support seniors with small pensions. The initiative was reactivated in 2020 to address the social isolation of seniors during the pandemic. Today, the Foundation provides financial support to NGOs outside Bucharest, distributes product packages or social vouchers, and carries out intergenerational reintegration activities. A volunteer delivering food products to an elderly beneficiary In 2009, 400 young people, children, and seniors ran in mixed pairs at the Generations Cross Run – “On your marks, get set, solidarity between generations!” Her Majesty Margareta and Cristian Țopescu at the Generations Cross Run Bucharest, April 29, 2009 © VLAD STAVRICĂ / AGERPRES PHOTO Each year, scholarship recipients supported through the Young Talents program – 15 musicians and 15 visual artists – present their individual and group projects to the public at the Young Talents Gala, all resulting from interdisciplinary collaboration during the scholarship year. The Young Talents Gala 2024 (C) ANCA ARAMBAȘA In 2010, the Royal Foundation initiated and developed the Never Alone project, with the support of the French association Les Petits Frères des Pauvres, dedicated to older people. The program gained experience and community trust and expanded beyond the capital. In 2015, its transformation into an independent association was announced. One of the weekly home socialization visits for elderly beneficiaries of the Never Alone project King Michael and Her Majesty Margareta at the end of the gala performance at the National Opera Bucharest, organized as part of the celebrations marking King Michael’s 90th anniversary. Bucharest, October 25, 2011 © CONSTANTIN DUMA / AGERPRES PHOTO The year 2015 marked the celebration of the Royal Foundation’s 25 years of activity. Events organized included Open Doors Day at the “Dimitrie Gusti” National Village Museum and the Foundation Evening at Elisabeta Palace. Bucharest, January 17, 2015 © ANGELO BREZOIANU / AGERPRES PHOTO The Generații Centers supported by the Foundation are day social centers with an intergenerational approach. Children receive homework support and participate in educational and vocational workshops guided by senior volunteers, who are encouraged to share their experience and feel valued by the community. Over 10 years, 42 centers in 16 counties and Bucharest have implemented the Generații program, mobilizing over 150 senior volunteers annually and supporting 500 children each year, with investments exceeding €1.5 million. Her Majesty Margareta visiting the Generații Center St. Spiridon in Galați 2016 (C) FRANCO GODINI In response to population aging, in 2015 the Royal Foundation launched The Elderly Phone, with funding from the Vodafone Romania Foundation. It is the only national, free, and confidential helpline dedicated to older people in need of information, social counseling, and relief from loneliness. Over a decade, social workers responded to 115,000 calls, offering guidance and solutions nationwide. HRH Princess Maria visiting The Elderly Phone, alongside social worker Andreea Vasile 2017 © PHOTO FROM THE ARCHIVES OF THE MARGARETA OF ROMANIA ROYAL FOUNDATION Her Majesty Margareta, Princess Muna of Jordan, and special guests such as Andreea Esca and Marco Hößl, CEO of Kaufland Romania, attended International Children’s Day celebrations in the garden of Elisabeta Palace. Bucharest, May 29, 2016 © GRIGORE POPESCU / AGERPRES PHOTO Since 2017, the Royal Foundation has organized the national conference Best Practices for a Beautiful Old Age, the longest-running event dedicated to professionals in the field of aging, serving as a key reference point for those working to improve the lives of older people in Romania. Her Majesty Margareta’s speech at the opening of the 9th edition of the national conference Bucharest, September 30, 2025 © DANIEL ANGELESCU Each year, the Royal Foundation Evening brings together partners and supporters of social and educational projects, leaders contributing to sustainable community development in Romania. The event recognizes and appreciates companies supporting long-term programs and promoting the Foundation’s initiatives. Her Majesty Margareta, HRH Princess Sofia, Mugurel Mărgărit (Executive Director), guests, and Young Talents scholars Elisabeta Palace, 2024 © DANIEL ANGELESCU The Royal Foundation’s 30 years of activity were celebrated through an anniversary concert at the Romanian Athenaeum and a gala matinee at the National Theatre Bucharest, bringing together the team, volunteers, supporters, and partners from Romania and abroad. 30th Anniversary Gala at TNB 2020 (C) DANIEL ANGELESCU During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Royal Foundation adapted its activity to support beneficiaries and intensify aid for seniors, mobilizing volunteer teams in Kaufland stores across 14 cities to prepare and deliver shopping baskets. Volunteers delivering groceries to seniors On March 2, 2022, the Royal Foundation launched the Help for Refugees project to support families with children crossing the border into Romania. In 2023, the project continued to assist refugees. Through donations and mobilized resources, the Foundation built a network of over 20 local NGOs and supported more than 7,000 people in Bucharest and 12 counties. Her Majesty Margareta and Mugurel Mărgărit during a visit to the Isaccea border crossing (C) DANIEL ANGELESCU Starting in 2023, the Foundation has supported the digital inclusion of seniors through the Connecting Generations in the Digital World project, part of the Hi Digital program of the Vodafone Romania Foundation. Nearly 1,500 people over the age of 65 from Bucharest and 15 other localities have learned free of charge to use smartphones more effectively. Digital education workshops for seniors Senior beneficiaries of the Foundation’s programs were invited to social gatherings, together with staff and volunteers, organized in City Grill restaurants in Bucharest. The year 2025 marks 35 years of activity dedicated to supporting vulnerable groups and young talents in Romania. To celebrate this anniversary, the Royal Foundation organized the Talent 35 Anniversary Exhibition at the National Museum of Art of Romania and the Talent 35 Concert. Bucharest, 18 January 2025 (C) MIHAI POZIUMSCHI / AGERPRES FOTO
with purpose and continuityYear 1990
The 1990s – Health, health education, and support for children
Year 1991
Year 1992
Year 1993 – Support for culture
Year 1993
Year 1993 – Support for older people
Year 1994 – Support for vulnerable children – Art therapy
Year 1997
Year 1997 – The international network
The 2000s – Support for seniors
2000 – Present – Support for children
Year 2001 – Present – Community engagement
Year 2002 – Support for children
2005–2007
Year 2006 – Present – Volunteers, ambassadors of change
2007–2016 – Support for children and young people
Year 2007 – Present – Generații Community Center
Year 2008 – Present – Encouraging art and young talents
Year 2008 – Present – Support for elderly people
Year 2009 – Community catalyst
Year 2009 – Present – Encouraging art and young talents
2010–2015 – Support for seniors – Never Alone
Year 2011
Year 2015
2015 – Present – Support for older people – Generații Centers
2015 – Present – Support for seniors – The Elderly Phone
Year 2016 – Support for children
Year 2017 – Present
Year 2018 – An Evening of Gratitude
Year 2020
2020 – Support for seniors – Volunteers for an Elderly Person campaign
2022–2023
Year 2022 – Present
Year 2024 – Support for seniors – Active aging
Year 2025 – Encouraging art and young talents
