ATHENS, Greece — Members of Greece’s former royal family expressed profound sentiment on Monday regarding the recent decision to reinstate their citizenship, resolving a long-standing issue with the government that has lasted for decades.
In a referendum held in 1974, Greece abolished its monarchy, leading to the revocation of the former royal family’s citizenship two decades later amid a conflict concerning the royal estates, which were transferred to the control of the state.
Last Friday, a decision was published in the government gazette, granting citizenship to ten individuals linked to the former royal family. This group includes five children of the late King Constantine II and his wife, former Queen Anne-Marie, along with five of their grandchildren.
The former royals released a statement, which was available in both Greek and English, expressing, “It is with deep emotion that, after 30 years, we hold the Greek citizenship again. The law of 1994 deprived us of our citizenship, rendering us stateless with all that this entails in terms of individual rights and great emotional distress.”
The statement also highlighted the family’s respect for the outcome of the 1974 referendum. “However, the provision of the 1994 law on citizenship, a result of the political status at the time, was not befitting of a former head of the Greek state and an institution that served the country faithfully. The passing of our father marked the end of an era.”
King Constantine II, who passed away last year at the age of 82, had only returned to Greece in his later years. He remained a divisive figure due to allegations of his failure to separate himself from intense political factions during his reign from 1964 until 1973, which ended when he was forced to leave during a military dictatorship that fell soon after.
The family has strong connections within European royal circles, particularly through Constantine’s marriage to Danish princess Anne-Marie. Additionally, his sister holds the title of Emeritus Queen Sofia of Spain, and he was a second cousin to King Charles III of Britain, serving as the godfather to Prince William.
In an effort to put an end to the ongoing dispute, Constantine’s children pledged last week to adopt the surname De Grece, which translates from French to “of Greece.” They also formally acknowledged Greece’s status as a presidential parliamentary democracy and renounced any claims to royal authority or titles.
“After 50 years since democracy’s restoration, we have a strong democracy and protected constitution that can defend itself, with laws that apply without any footnotes or exceptions,” stated government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis prior to the official publication of the decision.
The five children of Constantine are Alexia, 58; Pavlos, 56; Nikolaos, 54; Theodora, 40; and Philippos, 37. Additionally, Pavlos’ children, ages ranging from 15 to 27, were also granted citizenship. Notably, former Queen Anne-Marie, aged 78, and other relatives did not seek citizenship reinstatement.
