Royals attend Mass for Princess Irene

The Spanish royals, joined by members of the Greek and Bulgarian Royal Families, came together for a Mass in Madrid honouring the humanitarian Princess of Greece. 

It was a drizzly afternoon on Saturday when the remains of the late Princess Irene of Greece were led into the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Saint Andrew and Saint Demetrius in Madrid. The grief etched into everyone’s faces as Queen Sofia was seen holding back tears in the Cathedral.

Tributes have poured in following the death of a well-beloved figure among the European royal families this past Thursday. Irene, known as Aunt Pecu amongst family, was seen as someone who always cared for her fellow man, never sought self-gain, nor would have asked for any of the press attention which was fixated on Madrid’s Hispanoamérica neighbourhood that afternoon.

Ceremonies began when the hearse containing the flag-draped coffin of Princess Irene arrived at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral.

Guests had already started to arrive from Konstantin and Kyril of Bulgaria to Infanta Margarita, Duchess of Soria, sister of King Juan Carlos, as well as Tessa of Bavaria.

Shortly after, a procession of cars carrying various royals arrived in front of the Cathedral. Queen Sofia emerged accompanied by Infantas Elena and Christina, their families, and Princess Alexia of Greece. Soon came King Felipe, Queen Letizia, the Princess of Asturias, and Infanta Sofia, who were all greeted by the Greek Orthodox clergy.

The royal families then processed together into the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Saint Andrew and Saint Demetrius for the solemn service.

In the Cathedral, the coffin of the late Princess was brought in on the arms of the Spanish Royal Guards acting as pallbearers. Once the coffin was placed on the altar, the sombre atmosphere permeated every inch of the space inside.

A Mass was performed according to the Greek Orthodox religion. Following the service, the Royal Families had an opportunity for a word before departures.

The coffin of Princess Irene will lie in repose in the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Saint Andrew and Saint Demetrius for members of the public to pay their respects until 6 pm Saturday. It is expected that the remains will be flown to Greece on Sunday.

© Casa de S.M. el Rey

The funeral service for Princess Irene will be held on Monday, 19th January, in Athens. The Spanish Royal House has already confirmed King Felipe, Queen Letizia, Queen Sofia, the Princess of Asturias, and Infanta Sofia to be in attendance. From the Greek Royal Family, so far, Crown Prince Pavlos will be present, but Crown Princess Marie-Chantal, Prince Odysseas, and Princess Maria-Olympia will not be attending. Queen Anne-Marie is almost certain to attend.

The Royal News Organisation has confirmed Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine of Serbia to be in Greece on Monday.

The Romanian Royal House has announced Princess Sofia will represent Her Majesty Margareta, Custodian of the Romanian Crown, in Athens. We may expect the Bulgarian Royal Family to be in attendance as well, as they were in Madrid on Saturday. The Royal News Organisation will keep you up to date with all the ceremonies and attendance for Monday, 19th January.