In a historic shift, members of Greece’s former royal family have applied for Greek citizenship, formally acknowledging the country’s republican system of government, nearly 50 years after the monarchy was abolished. This momentous decision signals the end of an era and a step toward reconciling with Greece’s republican past.
In 1994, Greece’s former royal family, led by King Constantine II, was stripped of their citizenship following a long-standing dispute with the Greek government. The controversy stemmed from claims related to royal property and the refusal of King Constantine II to renounce any potential claim to the throne for his descendants. The king, who passed away in 2023 at the age of 82, and his family had lived in exile since the monarchy was abolished in 1974.
A Historic Acknowledgement of Republican Greece
Athanasios Balerpas, an official from Greece’s Interior Ministry, confirmed the move, revealing that members of the late king’s family had signed a declaration on Thursday acknowledging Greece’s republican government. They also adopted a new surname, “De Grece,” meaning “of Greece” in French, marking a break from their former identity.
“A historically pending matter is being resolved,” Balerpas said in a statement to state-run radio. “Let’s look to the future now. I think it’s a good moment because it closes an account from the past and we can now look forward as a people.”
While Greek officials have not publicly named the applicants, reports indicate that ten members of the former royal family are involved. This includes all five children of King Constantine II and Queen Anne-Marie: Alexia, Pavlos, Nikolaos, Theodora, and Philippos. Additionally, five of the late king’s grandchildren have also applied for citizenship.
The End of an Era for Greece’s Royal Family
The monarchy in Greece was officially abolished following a referendum in December 1974, with voters overwhelmingly supporting a republican constitution. This came shortly after the fall of a seven-year military dictatorship. Members of the royal family, who had been exiled after the monarchy was dismantled, lived abroad for decades. King Constantine II returned to Greece as a private citizen in his seventies, but the royal family’s relationship with the country remained strained.
The royal family’s citizenship was rescinded in 1994 during a protracted legal battle over the fate of the former royal estate, which is now state-owned. A law passed that year required the family to adopt the surname Glucksburg, linking them to their German ancestry. However, the family members refused to adopt this name, believing it undermined their Greek heritage.
Citizenship Process and Future Steps
The citizenship applications will now be published in the official government gazette, after which the applicants will be able to apply for Greek identity cards and passports. While the move has been met with widespread approval, some lawmakers from left-wing and center-left opposition parties have voiced concerns about the surname “De Grece,” arguing that it appears to resemble a title rather than a typical surname. Nevertheless, they did not oppose the family’s right to citizenship.
Looking Ahead: A New Chapter for the Greek Royal Family
This landmark move marks the closure of a significant chapter in Greek history, as the former royal family comes to terms with Greece’s republican identity. The acknowledgement of Greece’s republican system by the descendants of King Constantine II signals a potential path for reconciliation and a future free from the divisive history of monarchy.
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