Greece’s former royal family has been granted Greek citizenship and sworn allegiance to the republic, a landmark event 50 years after the monarchy was abolished, Reuters reports.
Ten family members, including the children and grandchildren of former King Constantine, who died in 2023, applied for citizenship last week.
Former members of the royal family welcomed the decision, issuing a statement on Monday saying the passing of their father and grandfather marked the end of an era.
But their choice of the surname De Gréce, which means “of Greece” in French, has angered left-wing politicians who argue that the title of nobility is unconstitutional. Nikos Androulakis, leader of the centre-left PASOK party, the main opposition, said:
“The surname they have chosen proves that they want to maintain a myth.”
The former royals said the choice of family name was a prerequisite for regaining their citizenship, the loss of which made them stateless and caused considerable emotional suffering. The family has been and will remain loyal to Greece, they said. The royals added:
“It is with deep emotion that, after thirty years, we hold the Greek citizenship again.”
Former King Constantine II of Greece ascended the throne in 1964, but his reign was marred by political instability that culminated in a military coup on April 21, 1967.
After the fall of the junta in 1974, Greeks rejected the monarchy in a referendum, making Constantine the last king of Greece. Athens stripped him of his citizenship in 1994 and set conditions under which he and his family could be recognised as Greek citizens.
Left-wing parties have said migrants working in Greece have to wait decades for citizenship despite meeting the criteria and accused the conservative government of trying to win votes. The government argues that the issue is a formality and that democracy can defend itself.
