Constantine II of Greece facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Constantine II
Portrait of Constantine II in 1987
King of the Hellenes
Reign	6 March 1964 – 1 June 1973
Coronation	23 March 1964
Predecessor	Paul
Successor	Monarchy abolished
Head of the Royal House of Greece
Reign	6 March 1964 – 10 January 2023
Successor	Pavlos
Born	(1940-06-02)2 June 1940 Psychiko, Kingdom of Greece
Died	10 January 2023(2023-01-10) (aged 82) Marousi, Greece
Burial	16 January 2023 Royal Cemetery, Tatoi Palace, Greece
Spouse	Anne-Marie of Denmark ​ (m. 1964)​
Issue	Princess Alexia Pavlos, Crown Prince of Greece Prince Nikolaos Princess Theodora Prince Philippos
Greek	Κωνσταντίνος Βʹ (Konstantínos II)
House	Glücksburg
Father	Paul of Greece
Mother	Frederica of Hanover
Religion	Greek Orthodox
Constantine II of Greece

Constantine II was the last king of Greece. He ruled the country from 6 March 1964 until June 1973.

He was born on 2 June 1940 into the Greek royal family. His father was King Paul, and his mother was Queen Frederica. Because of his family background, he was also a prince of Denmark.

During World War II, his family had to leave Greece for their safety. Constantine grew up in Egypt and South Africa before returning home in 1946.

As a young prince, he loved sports and became a champion sailor. He won an Olympic gold medal for Greece at the 1960 Rome Games.

Constantine became king at just 23 years old in 1964. His reign took place during very difficult political times in modern Greek history.

In 1967, a group of military officers seized power during a coup. Constantine tried to stop them with his own counter-movement, but it failed.

He had to flee into exile with his young family in December 1967. Greece officially became a republic in 1974 after a national vote.

Constantine lived abroad in England for many decades before finally moving back to Greece in 2013. He passed away in Athens in January 2023.

Early Life and Growing Up in World War II

Constantine's parents, Frederica and Paul, in 1939

Constantine was born in Psychiko, a quiet suburb of Athens, on 2 June 1940. His parents were delighted by his birth.

At that time, Greek royal succession laws favoured male heirs. His older sister Sofia had been born two years earlier, in 1938.

To celebrate the birth of a baby boy, soldiers fired a traditional 101-gun salute from Mount Lycabettus. It was a big national celebration.

He was named Constantine after his paternal grandfather, King Constantine I. The Greek armed forces served as his honorary godparents during his christening.

Escaping the War to Africa

Constantine was only a few months old when World War II reached Greece. In October 1940, Italian troops attacked the northern border.

The Greek army fought hard and pushed the invaders back. However, Nazi Germany intervened in April 1941 to assist Italy.

The German military overwhelmed Greek defences within weeks. The royal family had to escape immediately to avoid capture by enemy soldiers.

First, British aircraft evacuated Constantine, his mother, and his sister to the island of Crete. Soon after, Crete was also attacked.

The family boarded ships and headed across the Mediterranean to Egypt. In Alexandria, local Greek residents welcomed them warmly and helped them find shelter.

Growing Up in South Africa and Egypt

Leaders worried that Egypt was still too close to the battlefields. Therefore, Prince Paul sent the family further south to the Union of South Africa.

In July 1941, the family arrived safely in Durban aboard a Dutch steamship. Soon, they settled near Cape Town with local officials.

Constantine's father had to travel to London to work with the government-in-exile. Young Constantine rarely saw his father during these war years.

In South Africa, his younger sister, Princess Irene, was born in 1942. The children lived in Pretoria for a time.

South African Prime Minister Jan Smuts became a very close family friend. He looked after the children and made sure they were safe.

In early 1944, the family moved back to Cairo, Egypt. They reunited with Prince Paul and waited for the war in Europe to end.

Returning to Greece After the War

German forces finally withdrew from Greece in late 1944. However, the royal family could not return right away due to strong political disagreements.

Many Greek citizens wanted a republic instead of a king. A temporary government ruled the nation while leaders tried to restore order.

In September 1946, the Greek government held a national referendum. Citizens voted on whether King George II should return to his throne.

A majority of voters supported the return of the king. Constantine and his family finally sailed home after five years abroad.

The country was poor, damaged by the war, and facing food shortages. Soon, internal disagreements sparked the painful Greek Civil War.

Constantine's parents set up a small private school at their home. Constantine studied there alongside other children from nearby communities.

Crown Prince of Greece and Olympic Success

On 1 April 1947, King George II passed away suddenly. Prince Paul became king, and six-year-old Constantine became the crown prince.

The family moved into Tatoi Palace, located at the base of Mount Parnitha. Constantine began preparing for his future royal duties.

His parents believed in active, open education and spent lots of time with him. The children learned both Greek and English at home.

In 1950, Constantine became a student at the Anavryta school in Marousi. The school followed special methods that emphasized discipline, teamwork, and outdoor adventures.

He lived at the school as a boarder until 1958. His classmates remembered him as an energetic boy who enjoyed challenges and practical sports.

Military Training and Higher Education

When he turned 15, Constantine began training with the military. He spent time with the Greek Army, the Royal Hellenic Navy, and the Air Force.

He attended several military academies to learn modern leadership skills. He also traveled to Germany to study specialized defence systems with NATO.

Later, Constantine attended lectures at the University of Athens Law School. He wanted to understand law, government systems, and constitutional rules.

In 1955, his father granted him the historic title of Duke of Sparta. He took part in official ceremonies and represented the country on foreign trips.

Winning an Olympic Gold Medal

Constantine was an extremely talented athlete throughout his youth. He practiced swimming, squash, horseback riding, and earned a black belt in karate.

His greatest passion, however, was sailing. For Christmas in 1958, King Paul gave Constantine his very first competitive sailboat.

Constantine spent long hours training on the waters near Athens. The Greek Navy later provided him with a modern Dragon class boat named Nireus.

In 1960, Constantine qualified to represent Greece at the 1960 Summer Olympics held in Rome, Italy. He served as the flag bearer during the opening ceremony.

Teaming up with fellow sailors Odysseus Eskitzoglou and Georgios Zaimis, Constantine piloted Nireus to victory in the Dragon class.

It was the first Olympic gold medal won by Greece since 1912. The Greek public celebrated this victory with immense national pride and excitement.

Constantine remained involved in world sports for the rest of his life. In 1963, he joined the prestigious International Olympic Committee (IOC).

The Reign of King Constantine II

Accession to the Throne

In early 1964, King Paul became seriously ill with stomach cancer. Constantine stepped in as regent to sign government papers and assist his father.

King Paul passed away on 6 March 1964. At only 23 years of age, Constantine took the oath as King of the Hellenes.

Many citizens hoped that having such an energetic, young monarch would bring a fresh start. Greece had suffered years of bitter political divisions.

Just a month before, centrist politician Georgios Papandreou had won the national election. People hoped the young king and veteran politician would cooperate smoothly.

On 18 September 1964, Constantine married Princess Anne-Marie of Denmark. The wedding took place at the historic Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens.

Huge crowds gathered in the streets of Athens to wave flags and cheer. It was a festive moment for the royal family and the nation.

Political Turmoil and Government Crisis

Despite early optimism, serious political arguments soon divided the country's leaders. The king and Prime Minister Papandreou disagreed over who should control military promotions.

In July 1965, the argument reached a breaking point over the defence ministry. Papandreou wanted to manage the military department himself, but Constantine refused.

Papandreou offered his resignation, expecting the king to back down. Instead, King Constantine accepted the resignation on 15 July 1965.

This political clash became known in Greek history as the Apostasia of 1965. It sparked immense street demonstrations across major cities.

Thousands of students and workers protested against royal decisions. Constantine tried appointing new prime ministers, but parliament repeatedly rejected them.

After months of instability, political parties agreed to hold new elections in May 1967. Sadly, those elections never took place.

The Military Coup of 1967

Early on the morning of 21 April 1967, a group of army officers staged a coup. Tanks rolled into Athens, taking over communication centers and government buildings.

The officers, led by Colonel Georgios Papadopoulos, arrested key politicians. They claimed their takeover was necessary to prevent national chaos.

Soldiers surrounded Constantine's residence at Tatoi Palace with armored vehicles. The coup leaders demanded that the king swear in their new government.

Constantine found himself isolated with no loyal troops immediately nearby. Prime Minister Kanellopoulos, who was under arrest, urged him to resist the soldiers.

To avoid open fighting in the streets, Constantine agreed to swear in the cabinet. However, he insisted on appointing a civilian judge as prime minister.

Constantine secretly detested the military rulers and began looking for ways to restore democratic order.

The Counter-Coup and Escape into Exile

Over the summer of 1967, Constantine worked secretly with loyal officers. Lieutenant General Konstantinos Dovas helped draft plans to remove the dictators.

The king planned to gather loyal air force and naval units in northern Greece. From the city of Kavala, he hoped to demand the junta step down.

On 13 December 1967, Constantine flew secretly to Kavala with his family. The local air base and naval fleet declared their support for him.

However, communication broke down quickly between loyalist officers. Junta leaders in Athens acted swiftly, cutting telephone lines and arresting royalist commanders.

By evening, it was clear that the counter-coup had failed completely. The military rulers retained firm control of Athens and key army bases.

Facing immediate arrest, Constantine gathered his wife and small children aboard a transport plane. In heavy rain, they took off into the night sky.

They landed safely in Rome, Italy, on 14 December 1967. Their aircraft had only five minutes of fuel remaining in its tanks.

Constantine never ruled Greece again. The military regime appointed a regent to act in his place while he lived abroad.

Abolition of the Monarchy and the 1974 Referendum

Even while living in exile, Constantine officially remained head of state until 1973. Coins continued to bear his face, and royal symbols stayed on official forms.

In May 1973, Greek naval officers attempted another uprising against the military regime. Dictator Papadopoulos blamed Constantine for encouraging the resistance.

On 1 June 1973, Papadopoulos announced that the monarchy was permanently abolished. He declared Greece a republic and appointed himself president.

The military dictatorship finally collapsed in July 1974 following international crises. Veteran statesman Konstantinos Karamanlis returned from Paris to lead a democratic government.

Democratic leaders scheduled a free, nationwide referendum for 8 December 1974. The public would decide between a constitutional monarchy or a republic.

The government did not allow Constantine to return to campaign in person. Instead, he addressed Greek voters via a televised broadcast from London.

He admitted that mistakes had been made during his early reign. He promised to support full parliamentary democracy if voters invited him back.

When votes were counted, nearly 69% chose a republic. About 31% supported keeping the monarchy. Constantine accepted the democratic decision without protest.

Life in Exile and Public Activities

Following the 1974 referendum, Constantine settled with his family in London, England. He lived in the Hampstead Garden Suburb for several decades.

He became a close friend of King Charles III of the United Kingdom. Constantine was named a godfather to Prince William in 1982.

Constantine devoted much of his time to international sports organizations. He remained an active honorary member of the International Olympic Committee.

He served as Co-President of Honour of the International Sailing Federation alongside King Harald V of Norway. He regularly handed out medals at Olympic regattas.

He also supported education, serving as a patron for Box Hill School in Surrey. He enjoyed attending sailing races and spending time with his grandchildren.

Short Visits to Greece

The Funeral of Queen Frederica in 1981

Constantine returned to Greek soil for the first time in February 1981. His mother, Queen Frederica, had passed away while visiting Spain.

Her final wish was to be buried beside her husband at Tatoi Palace. Protests flared among political parties about whether the former royals should return.

The Greek government allowed Constantine to enter the country for just six hours. Police escorted the family directly from the airport to the cemetery.

Upon landing, Constantine kneeled down and kissed the ground. Thousands of supporters gathered at Tatoi to show sympathy during the short ceremony.

A Family Vacation in 1993

In August 1993, Constantine brought his family to Greece for a sailing holiday. His children had never seen much of their homeland in person.

They traveled on a yacht along the coast and visited monasteries at Mount Athos. The visit caused renewed political arguments in Athens.

Crowds gathered at several coastal ports to catch a glimpse of the family. Greek government leaders grew nervous that the trip was attracting too much political attention.

Government boats shadowed the yacht, and officials urged the family to cut their trip short. The family soon flew back to London.

The Property Dispute and Legal Settlement

For years, the former royal family and the Greek state argued over property. The dispute involved estates at Tatoi, Corfu, and Polydendri.

Constantine argued that these lands were bought privately by his ancestors using personal funds. Therefore, he believed they belonged to his family as an inheritance.

The Greek government argued that royal estates were public assets. They believed these properties existed only to serve the office of the head of state.

In 1994, the Greek parliament passed a law seizing all former royal lands without compensation. The law also canceled the family's Greek passports and citizenship.

Constantine took the case to the European Court of Human Rights in France. In 2000, the court ruled that Greece had violated his property rights.

The court decided the Greek government must pay €13.7 million in compensation. Constantine used these funds to launch the Anna-Maria Foundation for charity projects in Greece.

Greek authorities required royal family members to adopt a surname before getting passports. In late 2024, his descendants completed this process by selecting the surname "De Grèce".

Return to Greece and Final Years

In 2013, after living abroad for nearly 46 years, Constantine permanently returned to Greece. He and Queen Anne-Marie purchased a home in Porto Cheli.

In several television interviews, Constantine explained that he was completely content as a private citizen. He had no wish to alter the democratic system.

He stated that the Greek people had chosen a republic, and he respected that choice. He enjoyed walking along local beaches and sailing small boats.

In late 2015, he published his three-volume autobiography through a major Greek newspaper. He shared his personal memories of modern Greek history.

Passing Away and Memorial

In his final years, Constantine experienced serious health challenges, including mobility problems and heart conditions.

In early January 2023, he was admitted to Hygeia Hospital in Athens after suffering a stroke. He passed away peacefully on 10 January 2023 at age 82.

His funeral was held on 16 January 2023 at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens. Monarchs and royals from across Europe attended to pay their respects.

Royals from Spain, Denmark, Sweden, the Netherlands, and Belgium traveled to Athens for the service. Thousands of Greek citizens gathered outside the cathedral.

After the church ceremony, Constantine was buried beside his parents at the historic Tatoi cemetery.

Family and Children

Constantine and Queen Anne-Marie were married for more than 58 years. They raised five children:

• Princess Alexia, born on 10 July 1965. She married Carlos Morales Quintana in 1999 and has four children.
• Crown Prince Pavlos, born on 20 May 1967. He married Marie-Chantal Miller in 1995 and has five children.
• Prince Nikolaos, born on 1 October 1969. He married Tatiana Blatnik in 2010 (divorced in 2024), and married Chrysí Vardinogianni in 2025.
• Princess Theodora, born on 9 June 1983. She pursued an acting career and married Matthew Kumar in 2024.
• Prince Philippos, born on 26 April 1986. He married Nina Flohr in 2020 and has one son.

Honours and Sporting Achievements

Constantine received numerous honours and decorations during his lifetime for his leadership and athletic accomplishments.

Major Sporting Awards

• Olympic Gold Medal in Sailing (Dragon Class), 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome.
• Induction into the World Sailing Hall of Fame.
• Beppe Croce Trophy from the International Sailing Federation in 2010.

Historic Honours

• Grand Cross of the Royal Order of the Redeemer (Greece).
• Collar of the Order of Saints George and Constantine (Greece).
• Knight of the Order of the Elephant (Denmark).
• Knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece (Spain).
• Grand Cross of the Order of St Olav (Norway).
• Knight of the Order of the Seraphim (Sweden).
• Commander of the Legion of Merit (United States).

See also

In Spanish: Constantino II de Grecia para niños

• Timeline of Greek history
• History of modern Greece
• List of Olympic medalists in sailing § Dragon class
• Round Square