I first met Colonel Alexander George, The Lord of Whelmstone, in Orlando, just before he flew to South Carolina after returning from Germany. He could have passed for a historian in a museum, a nobleman in an estate, or a thoroughly modern American on the move — yet he carried a presence that combined wit, gravitas, and humility. I expected measured analysis; instead, I found a man who could speak of monarchy with humor while conveying its deeper significance.
His essay, “Monarchies Reimagined: The 21st Century Crown,” ignited discussion from Bucharest to London. He argues that constitutional monarchy could not only return to certain nations but thrive — Romania, in particular.
Romania: A Crown Waiting to Be Reclaimed
Pam Elder: Your Lordship, you’ve written about monarchy restoration in several countries, but Romania seems special. Why Romania?
The Lord of Whelmstone:
Romania has a regal soul that’s been waiting quietly for generations. Its monarchy wasn’t abolished by its people — it was erased by foreign influence and then decades of brutal Communism. Churches were burned, archives destroyed, cultural memory suppressed. Nicolae and Elena Ceaușescu did everything to erase Romanian national identity.
Yet the reverence for King Michael I endures. That dignity, that grace in exile — it never truly went away. I call it hibernating legitimacy. Honestly, it’s a crown that deserves to be woken up.
Elder: You also have personal ties to Romania, don’t you?
The Lord of Whelmstone:
Yes — part of my family is Romanian. I would love to see restoration happen. The current heiress, Her Majesty Margareta, Custodian of the Crown of Romania, is remarkable — intelligent, poised, and deeply committed to her country. And Prince Radu, her consort, has done so much for Romania’s cultural and charitable causes. Their dedication is inspiring. I would love to see her on the throne with him as her consort. Truly exceptional individuals.
It’s also interesting historically — the late Queen Elizabeth II was connected to Hungary through her great-great-grandmother, Countess Claudine Rhédey de Kis-Rhéde, a Hungarian noblewoman from Transylvania and ancestress of Queen Mary of Teck. Our family, through distant noble lines, is also connected to Countess Rhédey. It’s a subtle thread linking our histories — a reminder of how European noble families often intersect.
Titles, Humor, and Humility
Elder: Your Lordship, you have an impressive array of titles — can you explain them, and the Colonel designation?
The Lord of Whelmstone:
(laughs) It’s a distinguished assortment. I’m proud of my lineage — my family is mostly descended through the female line. We’ve always been humble, content with our baronial status, emphasizing military service and contribution over ceremonial grandeur. Over generations, our baronial house became unofficially styled Viscount, partly due to administrative roles and Germanic connections.
The Siklós princely title was originally bestowed by the Holy Roman Empire, though its use was limited by family tradition. Of course, these hereditary designations are historic in nature, not claims of modern legal rank — they represent a family tradition of service and heritage. Our father never used titles, even though he could have. Our grandfather suffered under Communism in Hungary, which outlawed noble titles entirely, and our grandmother Antonia, who was entitled to German titles, never used them in Hungary during those years of oppression. They endured much, and their humility and resilience shaped our family ethos: service and character over ceremony.
Elder: And your English titles — do they allow you to sit in the House of Lords?
The Lord of Whelmstone:
(laughs warmly) I’m afraid not! My English titles are feudal titles of dignity, not peerages. Manorial lordships, even ancient ones, don’t entitle you to a seat in the House of Lords. Though I must confess, I’ve visited the House of Lords many, many times — they just keep forgetting to offer me my own seat in the chamber! (laughs)
Elder: (smiling) That seems rather unfair.
The Lord of Whelmstone:
Quite! But I’m content to sit in the gallery — it gives me a better view of the history being made.
Personally, I never tried to use my titles to get ahead. One amusing example: a fashionable restaurant in Germany once asked if I had a reservation. I just smiled and said no — not a hint about being The Lord of Whelmstone — and somehow I still got the best table in the house. Titles are fun for history books, not for splitting the check.
Our father also served in the French Foreign Legion, fighting Communism directly. That instilled in us the family belief: service over titles, action over ceremony. That’s something I’ve tried to honor throughout my life.
Elder: Do you ever plan to use the Prince of Siklós title?
The Lord of Whelmstone:
(laughs) Absolutely not! That’s my brother Louis’s title, should he choose to use it. We’re not about titles. I prefer Whelmstone. I spent time in Devon, UK, and that manorial feudal connection feels real to me. Baron is fine, but The Lord of Whelmstone simply resonates — it carries a certain elegance even in quiet reflection.
Elder: You’ve mentioned American identity before. How does that fit with all this heritage?
The Lord of Whelmstone:
I am thoroughly American, but I can’t ignore my heritage. It informs who I am, my perspective on history, and my admiration for culture and tradition. It gives context to why institutions like monarchy can be meaningful today — and occasionally allows me to appreciate the subtle humor of centuries-old ceremonial customs.
Why a Monarchy Matters Today
Elder: Beyond history and heritage, why do you think Romania should restore its monarchy?
The Lord of Whelmstone:
A monarchy is more than crowns and scepters — it’s a mirror reflecting a nation’s best self. Symbolic heads of state can unite, inspire, and stabilize. Romania deserves continuity after decades of cultural erasure under Communism.
A restored monarchy could also boost tourism, strengthen cultural identity, and raise global prestige. And let’s be honest — coronations are far more inspiring to witness than endless political debates.
Restoration would honor the past while giving Romanians something to rally around. Pride with purpose — that’s the kind of legacy that survives centuries.
The Man Behind the Titles
Elder: So, what matters most to you, Your Lordship?
The Lord of Whelmstone:
I am proud of my lineage, certainly, but my actions in life are my greatest achievement. Titles are nice, but deeds define a man. The Prince of Siklós is a historic Hungarian title, and I respect its legacy — but nobility lies not in inheritance, rather in how one lives. Being a Kentucky Colonel is one of my proudest honors because it recognizes service and contribution. History and lineage are serious, but life should be approached with grace, humor, and dignity.
Editor’s Note
Colonel Alexander George, The Lord of Whelmstone, is an American-born historian and author. He is a member of the Nagy-György noble house of Székely, a baronial family historically connected to Austrian-Hungarian nobility. The family descends mostly through the female line. Following tradition, the Siklós princely title — bestowed by the Holy Roman Empire — was limited in use; the family was humble and content with baronial status. Over generations, unofficial Viscount usage became customary, reflecting administrative roles, Germanic connections, and family tradition.
The Nagy-György family historically emphasized military service over ceremonial prestige. Their father served in the French Foreign Legion, fighting Communism — a defining example of service over titles. Louis Nagy-György, Jr. is the rightful heir to the Prince of Siklós, while The Lord of Whelmstone holds three English feudal lordships and claims the family baronial title, though he considers charitable actions and personal accomplishments his greatest legacy.
Lord of Whelmstone’s scholarship focuses on monarchy, national identity, and leadership symbolism, blending historical insight with humor, humility, and practical vision.
