BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Romanians are celebrating the 95th birthday of their former king, Michael, one of the last surviving heads of states from the World War II-era.

Michael, who has lived in exile in Switzerland since he was forced to abdicate by the Communists, remains an important symbol of Romanian history and tradition that was broken by decades of communist rule.

To mark his birthday, the National Library in Bucharest opened an exhibition of photographs and documents illustrating his life on Tuesday.

Michael, who suffers from leukemia, will spend the day at his home in Switzerland with two of his five daughters. His wife of 68 years, Anne, died in August, and was returned to Romania for burial. Michael's health prevented him from attending her burial.