Former Greek Royal Family Reclaims Citizenship After 50 Years: ‘A Deeply Emotional Moment’

In a landmark decision, Greece has reinstated the citizenship of ten members of its former royal family, 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.

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

In a statement, the family expressed their profound feelings about the decision:“It 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.”

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’s dissolution.

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 Glücksburg, linking them to their Danish-German royal lineage. The family rejected the name, viewing it as an attempt to delegitimise their Greek heritage.

Now, in an effort to formally reconnect with Greece, the family has adopted the surname De Grece—French for “of Greece”—a move that aligns with their identity while distancing themselves from their Germanic roots.

Government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis welcomed the decision, stating: “After 50 years since democracy’s 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.”

Why Now? The Timing of the Citizenship Reinstatement

The timing of the family’s citizenship request is notable. The late King Constantine II passed away in January 2023, marking the end of an era for Greece’s 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.

While the government approved the request, some opposition lawmakers from centre-left and left-wing parties raised concerns about the surname “De Grece,” 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.

Source: pagenews.gr