„Monarhia de rol” şi portul popular ca formă de legitimare în România (sfârşitul sec. XIX – începutul sec. XX)

Tamara BOTEZ

DOI: 10.47743/asui-2025-0014

Abstract: The study addresses the use of traditional folk costumes by members of the Romanian Royal Family as a factor intended to strengthen the bond between the sovereign and the nation. By adopting and promoting traditional costumes, the monarchy, initially perceived as foreign, demonstrated its roots in Romanian culture and tradition. National attire became a symbol of identity and representation, consolidating the legitimacy of royal authority. The women of the royal family played an essential role, especially Queen Elisabeth (wife of Charles I) and, later, Queen Mary (wife of Ferdinand I, grandson and successor of Charles I). They frequently adopted and promoted traditional dress at official events and charity events. Promoted at the highest level, traditional dress represented an element of unified national identity at a time when the modern Romanian state was in the process of defining itself. Traditional dress became a symbol that conferred national identity on the wearer. Under the reign of Charles I, folk costume evolved from simple peasant clothing to a national symbol embraced by the ruling elite, used strategically by the monarchy to strengthen its position and align itself with the nationalist trend of the era.

Keywords: Romania; performing monarchy; national attire; national identity; legitimacy.