Greece's Former Royal Family Seeks Citizenship Reclaim After 50 Years of Monarchy Abolition

Members of Greece's former royal family have applied for Greek citizenship, acknowledging the country's republican system. This significant step comes 50 years after the monarchy was abolished, as confirmed by officials. The late King Constantine II and his family lost their Greek citizenship in 1994 due to a dispute over royal property and his refusal to renounce claims to the throne for his descendants.

Interior Ministry official Athanasios Balerpas stated that relatives of the late king, who passed away last year at 82, signed a declaration on Thursday. They acknowledged the republican government and adopted the surname "De Grece," meaning "of Greece" in French. "A historically pending matter is being resolved," Balerpas told state-run radio. "Let's look to the future now. I think it's a good moment because it closes an account from the past and we can now look forward as a people."

Greek Citizenship Application

The decision on citizenship must be published in the official government gazette before they can apply for state identity cards and Greek passports. Lawmakers from centre-left and left-wing opposition parties argued that the former royal family members should not have been permitted to choose their own surname but did not oppose their right to citizenship.

Officials have not officially named the applicants. However, Greek news media widely reported that ten family members have sought citizenship. This includes all five children of Constantine II and former Queen Anne-Marie – Alexia, Pavlos, Nikolaos, Theodora, and Philippos – along with five of the late king's grandchildren.

Historical Context

The Greek monarchy was abolished by referendum in December 1974. Voters overwhelmingly supported a republican constitution months after a seven-year military dictatorship ended. Members of the royal family lived in exile for decades before Constantine returned as a private citizen in his seventies.

They were stripped of their Greek citizenship in 1994 during a legal battle over the former royal estate, which is now state-owned. Previously, they refused to adopt a surname, distancing themselves from "Glucksburg," assigned by a 1994 law, which they felt tied them too closely to their German ancestry.

This move marks a new chapter for Greece's former royals as they embrace their Greek identity within the republic. It signifies an end to long-standing disputes and opens doors for them to integrate fully into Greek society.