Greece and the economic crisis 2023

The Last King of Greece

Κωνσταντίνος Βʹ της Ελλάδας

Constantine II was the last King of Greece, reigning from 1964 until the abolition of the monarchy in 1973. Born on June 2, 1940, in Athens, he is the son of King Paul and Queen Frederica. Constantine II belongs to the House of Glücksburg, which has its origins in the German nobility.

As a young man, Constantine II was educated at the Hellenic College in Athens and later in Germany and Switzerland. He also attended the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the United Kingdom. Constantine II was an accomplished sportsman and competed in the Dragon class sailing event in the 1960 Summer Olympics, held in Rome.

Constantine II ascended to the throne on March 6, 1964, following the death of his father, King Paul. His reign was marked by political turmoil, as Greece experienced a period of instability, including a military coup in 1967. The King attempted to counter the junta in December 1967 but was unsuccessful. As a result, he and his family went into exile in Rome.

In 1973, the military junta, led by Georgios Papadopoulos, abolished the monarchy and declared Greece a republic. Constantine II was officially deposed, and the following year, a referendum was held in Greece, which confirmed the establishment of the republic.

After living in exile for several years, Constantine II and his family were allowed to return to Greece in 1981, but they did not regain their property or titles. In 1994, the Greek government confiscated the former royal family's property, and the European Court of Human Rights later upheld this decision.

Before his death, Constantine II as a private citizen in Greece, occasionally participating in public events and expressing his views on Greek politics. He was married to Anne-Marie of Denmark, with whom he had five children, including Crown Prince Pavlos, who would have become the King of Greece if the monarchy had not been abolished.

The last king of King of Greece has died

Constantine II was King of Greece from March 6, 1964 until the end of the Greek monarchy. This cessation came about via two events; the first by Junta decision on June 1, 1973; the second and final event by referendum vote on December 8, 1974 during the restoration of democracy under Prime Minister Constantine Karamanlis.

Media Links:

"Died at the age of 82 after serious health problems" – Ethnos [Greek] – Tuesday, Jan 10, 2023

Constantine II dies aged 82 – UK Guardian [English] – Tuesday, Jan 10, 2023

King Constantine: He will be buried in Tatoi – Iefimerida [Greek] – Tuesday, Jan 10, 2023

Life of King Constantine – IN GR [Greek] – Jan 11, 2023

Constantine dies at a private hospital in Athens – Story at Chicago Tribune [English] – Jan 10, 2023

Constantine II, Prince William’s godfather – Hola Msn News [English] – Jan 10, 2023

"Greece voted decisively yesterday to become a republic and eliminate the monarchy" – New York Times Dec. 9, 1974 [English]

Former King of Greece Constantine II dies at 82 https://t.co/PvVDtYaKE9 pic.twitter.com/t2BluuOCjs
— Reuters (@Reuters) January 11, 2023

European royals at the funeral of Constantine II

Story at Reuters [English] – Jan 16, 2023

Photos from the burial

Story at Iefimerida [Greek] – Jan 16, 2023

The lines in Athens for the funeral of Constantine II

Story at Skai [Greek] and at AP News [English] – Jan 16, 2023

Several members of Royal Family's from across Europe with strong links to the @Olympics have been attending the funeral of #KingConstantine, the Rome 1960 #sailing gold medallist, in #Athens https://t.co/IxVcQgwJbt @HellenicOlympic @worldsailing #Olympics #Greece
— insidethegames (@insidethegames) January 16, 2023

The King as I knew him

Story at Kathimerini [Greek] – Jan 16, 2023

Constantine II's son Paul at the funeral

Story at Parapolitika [Greek] – Jan 16, 2023

The former Queen Anna Maria

Story at Protothema [Greek] – Jan 16, 2023

At Tatoi for the burial

Story at Kathimerini [Greek] – Jan 16, 2023

The funeral of Constantine and the fiftieth anniversary of 1974

Story at To Vima [Greek] – Jan 16, 2023

Europe's royalty in Greece

Story at Toronto Sun [English] – Jan 16, 2023

Former King Constantine: Photos of his family, shortly before the procession - January 16, 2023

Οι πρώτες φωτογραφίες από την οικογένεια του εκλιπόντος, λίγο πριν την εξόδιο ακολουθία https://t.co/1k0veKkoad
— InStyleGreece (@InStyleGreece) January 16, 2023