During the South Korean president’s official visit to London earlier this week, King Charles, a staunch Philhellene, wore a tie with the Greek flag.
This tie was purchased at the high-end boutique “Pagoni Maison des Cravates” located in the Kolonaki neighbourhood of Athens during one of King Charles’ visits to Athens.
During its history, the boutique has dressed presidents of the Greek Republic, artists, politicians and famous foreigners.
King Charles has visited Greece several times. The last time he visited Greece was in March 2021, when he attended the bicentenary celebrations of the Greek War of Independence.
He paid a moving tribute to the historic ties between Britain and Greece during his speech at the Presidential Mansion in Athens. He said he was “delighted” to return to Greece, which has long held a special place in his heart.
He added that “today, as in 1821, Greece can count on its friends in Britain. Our ties are strong and vital, making a profound contribution to our shared prosperity and security.” He noted:
“In feeling a profound connection to Greece – her landscapes, her history and her culture – I am hardly alone: there is something of her essence in us all. As the wellspring of Western civilization, Greece’s spirit runs through our societies and our democracies. Without her, our laws, our art, our way of life, would never have flourished as they have.”
During a previous visit to Greece in 2018, Charles emphasised the traditionally close ties between the UK and Greece and highlighted Greece’s role in the world, saying:
“We are all Greeks. Our laws, our literature, our religion, our arts have their root in Greece.”
When Charles said on his first official visit to the country that Greece is in his blood, he was not just speaking metaphorically, as both his father and grandfather were born in Greece.
Charles III, born in London on 14 November 1948, is now King of the United Kingdom and 14 other states of the British Commonwealth, now known as the Commonwealth of Nations, and Supreme Ruler of the Church of England. His father was Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and his mother was the then Princess Elizabeth, Duchess of Edinburgh, later Queen of Great Britain.
Charles’ father Philip (1921-2021), was born in Corfu with the title of Prince of Greece and Denmark. His parents were Prince Andrew of Greece, fourth son of George I and brother of Constantine I, and Alice of Battenberg.
