Member of the Greek former royal family recognise republic

Crown Prince Pavlos and and Marie-Chantal, Crown Princess of Greece with King Carl Gustaf and King Charles - Ian Jones - Buckingham Palace reception, CC BY 2.0

Posted By: Moniek Bloks Saturday, 21 December 2024, 9:14

Fifty years after the referendum that established the republic in Greece, the members of the former royal family have recognised the republic.

They have also applied for Greek citizenship.

King Constantine II of Greece reigned from 1964 to 1973. After the establishment of the republic, he refused to stop claiming his rights and those of his descendants to the throne. He lived in exile for forty years, and his Greek citizenship and that of his family was revoked in 1994 during a dispute with the government. Former King Constantine died in 2023.

According to the Greek Ministry of Home Affairs, ten members of the family signed a declaration in which they recognised the republic. This includes all five of the former King’s children. They have also chosen a new last name: “De Grece.”

A government official said, “A historical pending issue is hereby resolved. This is a good time because we are closing a chapter from the past, and we can look to the future.”