The Greek Royal Family this weekend commemorated the death of King Paul (March 6, 1964) and his wife Queen Frederika (February 6, 1981). The family gathered at Tatoi, the royal burial place next to the former royal summer palace outside Athens.
Tatoi was forcibly requisitioned in 1973 and has never been returned to the royal family, although the Greek government had to pay some compensation. The palace is at present not used.
King Constantine, who had difficulty walking, attended the ceremony for his parents accompanied by his sisters Queen Sofia of Spain and Princess Irene. His wife Queen Anne-Marie and sons Princes Pavlos (Paul) and Nikolaos (Nicholas) were present as well and placed wreaths on the tomb stones of the former royal couple.
Constantine was only 23 years old when he succeeded to the Greek throne upon the death of his father who was 63 years when he passed away after a reign of 17 years. Constantine who later in 1964 wed Danish Princess Anne-Marie,occupied the throne only for three years. He fled the country after he failed to dislodge the Greek junta, which had taken power in 1967. The Greeks voted to abolish the monarchy several years later.
The Royal Family was only able to travel freely to Greece again since the Olympic Games in 2004. King Constantine and Queen Anne-Marie have since moved back to Greece and sold their home in London.
© RB; Illustrations: YouTube screenshot & Facebook ΒΑΣΙΛΟΦΡΟΝΕΣ ΤΗΣ ΕΛΛΑΔΟΣ
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