Heartbreak for King Charles and the Prince of Wales as they mourn the loss of the late Prince Philip's nephew, King Constantine II, the last king of Greece.
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Who was the last Monarch of Greece?
According to The Guardian, when Constantine ascended the throne of Greece in 1964 at the tender age of 23, he was already famous, having won Olympic gold in sailing in the 1960 Olympic Games.
However, his popularity was short-lived due to his involvement in plots which overthrew Prime Minister George Papandreou’s government. This, in turn, led to a military coup in 1967 and forced King Constantine II into exile following a feud with the new military rulers.
It is with deep sorrow that we have learned of the death of His Majesty King Constantine II. We send our deepest sympathies and heartfelt prayers to Queen Anne-Marie and the Greek royal family.
— The Royalists (@TheRoyalistsUK) January 10, 2023
The Royalists’ Statement: https://t.co/Bi6dGXJcWVpic.twitter.com/iOIQGKYsn3
It took King Constantine many years to return to Greece permanently, but even after so long, his reputation was still in tatters. In 2008, an opinion poll revealed that 43% of Greeks blamed the King for the arrival of the military coup and the ensuing dictatorship.
King Constantine continued to style himself King of Greece, despite knowing the country was a republic and didn’t recognise his title.
King Constantine II and the Royal Family
King Constantine was the late Prince Philip’s nephew, making the last King of Greece a second cousin of King Charles.
During much of his exile, King Constantine lived in Hampstead Garden Suburb in North London. It is reported that King Charles and King Constantine formed a very close bond over the years. So close that the then-Prince Charles named Constantine II as Prince William’s godfather. In turn, Prince William was named Godfather to Constantine’s first grandson.
Prince William with his godfather King Constantine II of Greece 🤍🕊️ pic.twitter.com/DJyWV9LckM
— Royal Watcher (@WindsorDynasty) January 10, 2023
According to Greek Reporter, the former monarch will be buried as a private citizen at the former Royal Palace in Tatoi, North of Athens. It remains to be seen whether King Charles or a member of the Royal Family attend the funeral.
Sources used:
- Hello!: Heartbreak for King Charles and Prince William following death of Constantine II
- The Guardian: Last king of Greece, Constantine II, dies aged 82
- Greek Reporter: Former King Constantine to be Buried in Greece as Private Citizen
