{"id":3351,"date":"2025-02-07T01:55:53","date_gmt":"2025-02-07T01:55:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/in-greece.com\/index.php\/2025\/02\/07\/former-greek-royal-family-reclaims-citizenship-after-50-years-a-deeply-emotional-moment\/"},"modified":"2025-02-07T01:55:53","modified_gmt":"2025-02-07T01:55:53","slug":"former-greek-royal-family-reclaims-citizenship-after-50-years-a-deeply-emotional-moment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/in-greece.com\/index.php\/2025\/02\/07\/former-greek-royal-family-reclaims-citizenship-after-50-years-a-deeply-emotional-moment\/","title":{"rendered":"Former Greek Royal Family Reclaims Citizenship After 50 Years: \u2018A Deeply Emotional Moment\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"


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In a landmark decision, Greece has reinstated the citizenship of ten members of its former royal family<\/a>, half a century after the monarchy was abolished in a national referendum. The move marks the end of a decades-long dispute and an emotional homecoming for the family, which was stripped of its Greek nationality in 1994.<\/p>\n

The reinstated citizens include the five children of the late King Constantine II and Queen Anne-Marie\u2014Princess Alexia (58), Crown Prince Pavlos (56), Prince Nikolaos (54), Princess Theodora (40), and Prince Philippos (37)\u2014as well as five of their grandchildren. Their return to Greek citizenship follows a formal recognition of the country\u2019s republican government and a commitment to renouncing any royal claims or titles.<\/p>\n

In a statement, the family expressed their profound feelings about the decision:
\u201cIt is with deep emotion that, after 30 years, we hold Greek citizenship again. The law of 1994 deprived us of our nationality, rendering us stateless, with all that this entails in terms of individual rights and great emotional distress.\u201d<\/p>\n

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The Greek Royal Family \u2013 the family of Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Pavlos and Crown Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece & 4 of their 5 children \u2013 Prince Odysseas, Prince Constantine, Princess Olympia and Prince Achileas. In Athens, October 2022, for the 1st Royal Wedding in the Matropolitan Cathedral in over 50 years.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n

A Contentious Past and a Changing Future<\/h4>\n

The Greek monarchy, which had existed in various forms since the 19th century, was permanently abolished following a 1974 referendum, where citizens overwhelmingly voted in favour of a republic. Constantine II, the last king of Greece, had been exiled following political turmoil and a failed counter-coup against the military dictatorship that ruled Greece from 1967 to 1974. While the fall of the junta paved the way for democratic elections, it also confirmed the monarchy\u2019s dissolution.<\/p>\n

The royal family, which had lived in exile for decades, was further distanced from Greece when the government revoked their citizenship in 1994 during a legal battle over the former royal estates, which were ultimately seized by the state. At the time, the government also assigned them the surname Gl\u00fccksburg, linking them to their Danish-German royal lineage. The family rejected the name, viewing it as an attempt to delegitimise their Greek heritage.<\/p>\n

Now, in an effort to formally reconnect with Greece, the family has adopted the surname De Grece\u2014French for \u201cof Greece\u201d\u2014a move that aligns with their identity while distancing themselves from their Germanic roots.<\/p>\n

Government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis welcomed the decision, stating:
\u201cAfter 50 years since democracy\u2019s restoration, we have a strong democracy and a constitution that can defend itself, with laws that apply without exceptions. This decision allows us to move forward.\u201d<\/p>\n

Why Now? The Timing of the Citizenship Reinstatement<\/h4>\n

The timing of the family\u2019s citizenship request is notable. The late King Constantine II passed away in January 2023, marking the end of an era for Greece\u2019s former royal dynasty. The loss of their father and patriarch may have prompted his children to seek a renewed connection with their ancestral homeland, this time as private citizens rather than as figures of a defunct monarchy.<\/p>\n

While the government approved the request, some opposition lawmakers from centre-left and left-wing parties raised concerns about the surname \u201cDe Grece,\u201d arguing that it resembled a title rather than a conventional family name. However, there was no political resistance to the family regaining Greek citizenship itself.<\/p>\n

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Two years ago, the Greek royal family held a state funeral for King Constantine II of Greece at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Athens<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n

A New Chapter for the Former Royal Family<\/h4>\n

Despite their exile, the former Greek royals have maintained close ties with European monarchy circles. Queen Anne-Marie is the sister of Denmark\u2019s Queen Margrethe II, and the late King Constantine II was the younger brother of Spain\u2019s Emeritus Queen Sofia. He was also a second cousin of Britain\u2019s King Charles III and godfather to Prince William.<\/p>\n

Now, with their Greek citizenship restored, the family has publicly reaffirmed their acceptance of Greece\u2019s status as a republic. While Queen Anne-Marie and other extended family members did not apply for citizenship, those who did have taken a significant step in healing historical wounds.<\/p>\n

As their statement concluded:
\u201cThe passing of our father marked the end of an era. We fully respect the result of the 1974 referendum, and we now look to the future with a renewed connection to Greece, the land of our heritage and history.\u201d<\/p>\n

The decision has now been published in Greece\u2019s official government gazette, paving the way for the family to obtain state identity cards and passports\u2014documents they have not held in three decades. While their royal status remains a chapter of history, their personal connection to Greece has been restored.<\/p>\n

For a family that once ruled a nation, this moment is less about reclaiming power and more about reclaiming a sense of belonging.<\/p>\n

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Family Tree of the Greek Royal Family<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n

Read also Greek Easter 2025 Explained: Dates, Fasting, and Traditions<\/p>\n