On The Way To Romania
The former Romanian ruler, Alexandru Ioan Cuza, had been banished from the country by the leading noblemen and Romania was in political chaos. Cuza's double election (in Wallachia and the Moldavia) had been the basis on which Romanian unification was recognized by the European powers. With him gone, the country was in danger of dissolving.
Due to the conflict between Prussia and the Austrian Empire, Karl travelled incognito by railroad from Düsseldorf to Budapest, under the name of Karl Hettingen. From Budapest he travelled by carriage, as there was no railroad to Romania. As he walked across the border onto Romanian soil, he was met by Brătianu, who bowed before him and asked Karl to join him in a carriage.
On 10 May 1866 (22 May 1866 N.S.), Karl entered Bucharest. The news of his arrival had been transmitted through telegraph and he was welcomed by a huge crowd eager to see the new ruler. In Băneasa he was given the key to the city. That day, rain fell, ending a long period of drought – a favorable sign. As he was crowned, Karl swore this oath: "I swear to guard the laws of Romania, to maintain its rights and the integrity of its territory." He spoke the oath in French, as he did not speak Romanian. However, he endeared himself to his adopted country by adopting the Romanian spelling of his name, Carol.
Read more about this topic: Carol I Of Romania