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European RoyalsGreece

Moving tribute from a son to his father as Constantine II is laid to rest

Crown Prince Pavlos paid loving tribute to his late father, the former King Constantine of Greece at his funeral, saying that “This is not the end, father.”

In a moving eulogy, Pavlos called the funeral “a painful day of parting for your beloved queen and out mother. For us, your children and grandchildren, but also for all those who honour your memory and the impossibility of being with you.”

King Constantine passed away on January 10th 2023 at the age of 82 in Athens following complications from a stroke. The former king had been in ill health for some time, receiving private care in Greece with his wife, Queen Anne-Marie, at his side.

Had Greece not abolished its monarchy in 1973, Crown Prince Pavlos would have been delivering his eulogy as a new king. But, in keeping with tradition, it was reported that he and Crown Princess Marie-Chantal will relocate to Greece.

Pavlos continued his eulogy, saying that his father “will always live in our thoughts and hearts” and that family “was everything to you and our mother.” King Constantine and Queen Anne-Marie were married in 1964 and went on to have five children. At her husband’s funeral, Queen Anne-Marie wore the same cross pendant from her wedding day.

Pavlos continued his eulogy, highlighting his father’s life—his early accession to the throne, his role in the Greek Armed Forces, his Olympic gold medal—and said “You brought honour to our blue and white flag and to our country. It was a difficult time when you ascended to the throne, with conflicts….and the result was something that no one wanted.”

His son promised to continue to work for the good of Greece in his stead, and said, of his father: “God’s will was for you to take your last breath in our homeland, which you loved like nothing else all your life.”

About author

Jess Ilse is the Assistant Editor at Royal Central. She specialises in the British, Danish, Norwegian and Swedish Royal Families and has been following royalty since Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee. Jess has provided commentary for media outlets in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Jess works in communications and her debut novel THE MAJESTIC SISTERS will publish in Fall 2024.