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| Principe Domnitor ofthe United Principalities | |
|---|---|
 | |
 Carol I | |
| Details | |
| Style | His Royal Highness |
| First monarch | Alexander John I |
| Last monarch | Carol I |
| Formation | 5 February 1862 |
| Abolition | 15 March 1881 |
| Appointer | Hereditary |
Prince Domnitor, in fullPrincipe Domnitor (Romanianpl.Principi Domnitori) was the official title of the ruler ofRomania between 1862 and 1881. It was usually translated as "prince regnant" in English and most other languages, and less often as "grand duke". "Domnitor" is an adjective derived from theRomanian word "domn" (lord orruler) and, in turn, from theLatin "Dominus". The titleDomn had been in use since the Middle Ages and it is also the Romanian equivalent to the SlavicHospodar. Moldavian and Wallachian rulers had used this term for their title of authority as the head of state, while "voievod" represented the military rank as the head of the army.
The title acquired an officially recognized meaning afterMoldavia andWallachiaunited to form theRomanian United Principalities underAlexander John I, who had become the ruler of both states since 1859. Alexander John abdicated in 1866 and was succeeded byCarol I, who promulgated the first constitution who officially used the nameRomania for the country. He held the title until 1881. When Romania wasproclaimed a kingdom in March 1881, Carol became its first king.[1]
| Name | Lifespan | Reign start | Reign end | Notes | Family | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandru Ioan Cuza | (1820-03-20)20 March 1820–15 May 1873(1873-05-15) (aged 53) | 5 February 1862 | 22 February 1866 | — | Cuza |  |
| Carol I | (1839-04-20)20 April 1839–10 October 1914(1914-10-10) (aged 75) | 20 April 1866 | 15 March 1881 | BecameKing of the Romanians | Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen |  |
This is agraphical lifespan timeline of Domnitors of Romania. The domnitors are listed in order of office.
