The Prince of Wales (in picture) could become the next king of Romania if the monarchy is restored, according to speculations from several Central European newspapers. “European newspapers claim Charles could be crowned should the monarchy be restored. The Prince of Wales' ancestral links with Vlad the Impaler and King Michael cited as reasons,” writes the Daily Mail.

“If Prince Charles ever gets too bored of waiting to accede to the throne, then he might just be tempted to have himself crowned King Carol III instead,” it goes on.

Chances are slim though. “Admittedly, it is unlikely that he will ever be a serious contender for the throne as the deposed King, Prince Michael, is still alive – albeit rather elderly at 90 – and has family of his own,” the Daily Mail continues.

Prince Charles has recently said in a documentary about Romania that Romanian ruler Vlad the Impaler – the ruler who inspired the Dracula story – is one of his ancestors. The Prince of Wales is a fan of Romania, a country he often visits and where he owns several restored guest-houses in Central Transylvania- at Zalanpatak and Viscri.

He has also recently met Romania's Tourism Minister Elena Udrea, who was on a visit to London.

“Newspapers have even gone so far as to speculate that Charles could give up the British throne in favour of his popular eldest son and heir, Prince William, to become the next King of Romania instead,” according to the Daily Mail.

Romania is a republic, with president Traian Basescu at the helm. Romania was a monarchy until 1947, when King Michael was forced by the Communist Party to abdicate. King Michael, now 90, leads the surviving members of the Royal House of Romania.

editor@romania-insider.com