On Monday, celebratory news came from the Greek Royal Family concerning the engagement of King Constantine’s youngest son, Prince Philippos and Nina Flohr. Only hours later Greek police reported that the graves of Constantine’s parents, King Paul and Queen Frederica, had been vandalised.
The Greek Ministry of Culture and Sports stated that the cross of the grave was found broken into three pieces by police during the routine afternoon patrol. The government ministry responsible for looking after the graves was immediately informed and plans are already in place to restore the monument as quickly as possible.
The press release from the Greek Department of Culture states: “Today, during the afternoon patrol by the Police at the Tatoi estate, vandalism was found at the burial monument of King Paul and Queen Frederica. The relevant service of the Ministry of Culture was immediately informed. The restoration of the monument is planned immediately.”
It is uncertain when the tomb will be completely restored. Greek police have begun an investigation, but it will be difficult to find those responsible. Local Greek media speculated on the possibility that the attack was carried out by anarchists.
Paul was King of Greece from 1947 until his death in 1964. He was succeeded by his son, Constantine II, the current head of the deposed Greek royal family. King Paul was first cousin to Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and maternal grandfather to King Felipe VI of Spain. Queen Frederica of Greece was Queen consort of Greece from 1947 until 1964 as the wife of King Paul, thereafter Queen mother. She was born Princess of Great Britain and Ireland and Princess of Brunswick-Lüneburg.
Tatoi Royal Cemetery is a private cemetery located on the south end of the Tatoi Royal Palace Estate in a large wooded area. Tatoi was the summer palace of the former Greek Royal Family. It is located 27 km, 17 miles, from the city centre of Athens. Today the Palace stands as an abandon ruin.
