Charles I Roi de Roumanie 1839 - King of Rumania - Carol I of Romania, original name Prince Karl Eitel Friedrich Zephyrinus Ludwig von Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen (April 20, 1839 - September 27/October 10, 1914), German prince, was elected Domnitor (prince) of Romania in April 1866 and proclaimed king on March 26, 1881. He was the first ruler of the Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen dynasty which would rule the country until the proclamation of a republic in 1947. During his reign, he personally led Romanian troops during the Russo-Turkish War, 1877-78 and assumed command of the Russo/Romanian army during the siege of Pleven. ?007 TopFoto