[Illustration: AGE 6. _From a Photo. by Haarstick, Duesseldorf._]
[Illustration: AGE 17. _From a Photo. by Mandy, Bucharest._]
[Illustration: AGE 21. _From a Photo. by Mandy, Bucharest._]
[Illustration: PRESENT DAY. _From a Photo. by Mandy, Bucharest._]
Prince Ferdinand of Roumania, second son of the reigning Prince Leopold
of Hohenzollern and Princess Antonia, Infanta of Portugal, was born in
Sigmaringen on the 24th of August, 1865. After several years of private
tuition under the parental care, he joined, together with his brothers,
the gymnasium of Duesseldorf. He was appointed by the Emperor William a
lieutenant in the Infantry Life Guards. He then joined the military
school at Kassel, and after a regular course of studies, obtained his
commission as officer in the army. In November, 1886, he went to
Bucharest with his father, and after participating in a brilliant
review, was nominated by King Charles I. a lieutenant in the 3rd
Infantry Regiment. On the 14th of March, 1889, he was proclaimed Heir
Presumptive to the Crown of Roumania by the unanimous vote of the
Senate.