According to Greek media, the Prince and Princess of Wales will fly to Athens on Monday to attend the funeral of King Constantine II of Greece. As the couple will be attending in their individual capacities, neither Kensington Palace nor Buckingham Palace will confirm this. However, here is what we can anticipate from the visit.
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A large contingent of royals will attend King Constantine II’s funeral, including the Prince and Princess of Wales. On Monday, the funeral will be held at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Athens, and it will be followed by burial at Tatoi Palace’s Royal Cemetery.
Along with William and Catherine, Princess Anne and Prince Edward are also anticipated to attend. Prince Philip was Constantine’s first cousin, making King Charles his second. Being close friends, Charles even designated Constantine as William’s godfather. Constantine Alexios, Constantine’s first grandson, would later have William as his godfather.
Constantine, who was 82 years old when he passed away, had been receiving treatment at the exclusive Hygeia Hospital in Athens for a number of years due to health issues.
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After his father, King Paul, passed away in 1964, the heir apparent took the throne of Greece. However, after a military junta overthrew the monarchy, he would only hold power for less than ten years.
Following the abolition, there were two referendums held, the first in 1973 being contentious and the second in 1974 yielding favorable results.
The father of three spent many years living in exile in Hampstead Garden Suburb before eventually making his way home in 2010.
In the meantime, tributes to King Constantine have been pouring in from royal families all over the world. The times of the service, the burial, and the lying in repose at Church will be announced at a later time.
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On Wednesday, his office released a formal statement that read: “The Royal Family regrets to inform you that HM King Constantine, beloved husband, father, and brother, passed away on January 10, 2023, while receiving treatment at the Greek hospital “HYGEIA.” Information about his burial and funeral procession will be provided later.”
