Decades after being deposed and exiled, members of Greece’s former royal family are seeking to regain their Greek citizenship under a cloud of controversy. The late King Constantine II, who passed away last year at 82, and his relatives lost their citizenship in 1994 amid disputes with the government over royal property and Constantine’s alleged refusal to definitively renounce the throne for his heirs.
Now, a landmark move is underway as Constantine’s widow Queen Anne-Marie and their five children – Alexia, Pavlos, Nikolaos, Theodora and Philippos – along with five grandchildren, have officially applied for Greek citizenship. In doing so, they formally acknowledged Greece’s republican system of government, a requirement for reinstating their status as citizens.
Surname Stirs Debate
However, the family’s choice of surname has ruffled some feathers. In their citizenship application, they adopted the name “De Grece” – French for “of Greece”. This decision drew criticism from leftist politicians who argue it creates confusion and inappropriately clings to noble pretenses.
When they say that they are giving up their titles and any future claims [to the throne], by opting for this family name they create confusion.
– Greece’s Socialist party
The left-wing Syriza party also took issue with the surname choice, stating: “the Greek legal order does not recognise titles and nobilities”. In the past, the former royals distanced themselves from the name Glucksburg, feeling it overemphasized their German ancestry at the expense of their Greek roots.
Abolition and Exile
The Greek monarchy came to an end in December 1974 when a referendum overwhelmingly approved establishing a republican constitution in the wake of a 7-year military dictatorship. The royal family lived abroad for many years before Constantine returned to Greece as a private citizen in his later years.
The 1994 removal of citizenship occurred during a bitter legal battle over former royal estates and property, which now belong to the state. Regaining citizenship will allow the family to obtain Greek passports and ID cards once their newly chosen surname is officially published.
Mixed Political Reactions
While legislators from the center-left and left-wing opposition objected to allowing the former royals to select their own surname, they did not oppose granting them citizenship. Some felt “De Grece” resembled a title more than a standard last name.
A historically pending matter is being resolved… It closes an account from the past and we can now look forward as a people.
– Athanasios Balerpas, Interior Ministry official
Government officials framed the development more optimistically, with Interior Ministry official Athanasios Balerpas telling state radio it resolves a “historically pending matter” and allows the country to move forward rather than dwell on bygone disputes. After 50 post-monarchy years, the former royals’ bid for citizenship writes a new chapter in their complex relationship with the nation they once reigned over.
