King Constantine II of Greece passed away at the age of 82 after suffering from ill health for a number of years. Constantine was treated at the private Hygeia Hospital in Athens prior to his death. On January 16, 2023, former King Constantine's funeral took place at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Athens, Greece.
The funeral service was attended by the King's entire family, and members of various royal families including King Felipe, Queen Letizia, Queen Margrethe, King Carl Gustaf, Queen Silvia, King Willem-Alexander, Queen Maxima, King Philippe, Queen Mathilde, Princess Anne, Crown Prince Haakon, Crown Princess Mette-Marit and Princess Martha Louise.
Constantine acceded to the Greek throne in 1964 following the death of his father, King Paul. However, King Constantine ruled for less than a decade before a military junta abolished the monarchy. King Constantine lived in exile for many years in Hampstead Garden Suburb, and eventually returned to his native country in 2010.
In my language we have an expression that says words are meaningless when we talk about grief and sorrow. So instead I'm sending my ❤ to the family
ReplyDelete❤️ MR
DeleteI was able to see the service live (YouTube)
ReplyDeleteThe Royal ladies presented an air of respect and elegance.
May King Constantine rest in peace.
What a lovely family and showing their respects, in such a dignified way.
ReplyDeleteThat man was so loved by them all. May he rest in peace.
I always think that only Sofia from sweden like smiling at funerals but...
ReplyDeleteGh
What funerals did she smile at? I can't recall seeing her attending any at all. Anyway, a stupid comment, there is always room for a friendly smile.
DeleteFuneral 2013:
Deletehttps://i.pinimg.com/originals/95/b0/58/95b058d78aa1182852d37f78c689d7d7.jpg
Funeral July 2017:
https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V65l0kkc4-0/WWYsfF0OAmI/AAAAAAABbOc/t7S1bsumC8UWDm2VS4CsYpYqb9qxH_mvACLcBGAs/s595/Sweden-Royals-7.jpg
It was a bit disrespectful for me. She is an adult woman and a Princess.
Gh
Sofia from Swede is not even there??!!
DeleteMaybe she is smiling at her brothers funeral because to many grieving is a celebration of life!
DeletePrincess Sofia of Sweden don't have brothers. She likes to giggles.
DeleteExactly @ Anon 02:36
DeleteOften at funeral services you meet up with family members that you haven’t seen for a long time. So what should you do? Just look at them and break down crying. Or give them a friendly smile of happiness for being able to see them again? .
Agreed, it's so very rude and disrespect of them to be laughing at a funeral. I'm not that surprised that Sofia is, but Madeleine? I expect better from her. So rude of them.
DeleteJ
Sofia was also caught giggling when she was going to the memorial of terrorists attack.
DeleteDo we know why Charles did not attend like the other Kings, but sent Anne in his place? I'm afraid I haven't heard the reason.
ReplyDeleteThere's currently a state visit from the President of Cyprus and his wife. Very low key compared with the one with the South African President. Apparently the visit has already been postponed twice due to the death of the Queen. I did think Prince William would ahve been there and maybe more of the Kents since they are closer cousins.
DeleteAnd I am afraid you won't! Nor will we know why Prince William did not attend his godfather's funeral. Pity.
DeleteAnd is it any of our business?
DeleteIt's called a working visit. A state visit would be a more fully blown affair. The Cypriote President Anastasiades met briefly with King Charles III at Balmoral, but his main talks were to Government officials in London. As for the Wales family, I think they went on holidays to some place.
DeleteA day of sadness and dignity ! May the late king rest in peace and his family feel solace knowing they honoured him in the most appropriate way!
ReplyDeleteFai buon viaggio, re Costantino...🙏
ReplyDeleteRossella
@Gh, you must be a fortunate person that hasn’t assisted to many funerals. The majority of people do smile while greeting each other, and comforting family members, a smile is an empathetic gesture that evolved humans display even in the most dire circumstances.
ReplyDeleteOf course we aren’t talking about belly laughs here.
With all due respect I think you are just trying to criticize people for all the wrong reasons.
Cherry
I agree with Cherry's common sense approach to smiling at funerals and memorials for the dead. We like to bring up warm memories of the departed and smile at the memories of them during happier occasions. It brings comfort to the family and those closest in dealing with their grief.
DeleteI agree Cherry, but I also believe a there is nothing wrong with having a good belly laugh at a funeral when remembering joyous times.
DeleteEuropean Royals (and ex-royals as well) showing up in forces today. Queen Sofia of Spain looked extremely distraught, almost unwell. Fashionwise I found the coat of Queen Maxima a tad too short, normally she opts for much longer outerwear, so her choice puzzled me. Would have loved to see a Kokoshnik-style black headband/headgear on Grandduchess Maria Vladimirovna Romanov, sadly she opted out of wearing such a thing. It was very mixed regarding hats anyway. Most of the Queens or Princesses had been wearing a hat, or some other hair ornaments, but nothing of that sort on the Spanish and the Greek royal heads.
ReplyDeleteUnforgivable that William and Kate failed to attend. He was William's godfather. Sending a representative is not the same when other senior royals are attending and there is a close relationship between families. What is that pair doing? Hiding? Such a missed opportunity as well.
ReplyDeleteThe other families all look appropriate - a most moving occasion. Most moving of all were the crowds queuing to view the late king.
Leonie
Besides princess Anne (+ her husband) also lady Gabriella Windsor attended (granddaughter of Marina of Kent, born princess of Greece). Photo on another site
ReplyDeleteMargot
Adding to the previous: According to the French magazine Poinr-de-Vue lady Gabriella was also representing prince Willian according to W's wishes.
DeleteMargot
King Constantine Rest in Peace Sir x
ReplyDeleteThe sad faces of the family members were heart breaking to watch. So many European Royals in one place. They all shown respect to a well deserving King. Also, nice to see Prince Joachim joining his mother and brother. What really annoys me is the way the Greek Government denied a State Funeral. I do hope the elected body of Government. Remembers they are not there by the GRACE of GOD, but by the GRACE of the PEOPLE. Maybe this is a leaning experiment. Now they may rob the eggs of their faces, OMO of course. Your Majesty Rest in Peace. BTW everyone looked good in their own way. css
ReplyDeleteIt was lovely to see the enthusiasm of the crowd for Queen Anne-Marie. She was obviously really touched by the reception she received. Very moving to watch the sons and grandsons carrying the King's coffin on its final journey.
ReplyDeleteWith all respect AnnieM, I don't think it was the King's sons carrying the coffin. In the photos I've seen, they were walking behind the coffin.
DeleteI figli hanno portato la bara nella necropoli di Tatoi.
DeleteRossella
at the second part of the funeral on the palace grounds (of which there are no photos here) the sons and grandsons carried the coffin (can be seen on youtube)
Deletedeadleggs they carried the coffin the last bit before he was buried. Here is a picture from the rehearsal the day before. https://hellas.postsen.com/temp/resized/medium_2023-01-15-139d98ffd1.jpg
DeleteAnd from the funeral https://imgix.billedbladet.dk/2023-01-16/20230116-190847-2-5618x3745ma_gal.jpg?ixlib=vue-2.9.1&auto=format&fit=fill&ar=1050%3A750&fill=blur&w=1946
DeleteTo @AnnieM : My apologies. I had not seen the last piece of the YouTube direct coverage of the funeral service until today and you are right - the King’s three sons and some of his grandsons carried the coffin to its final resting place. Again AnnieM, my apologies.
DeleteI’m impressed with the strength and force Queen Anne-Marie showed throughout what must have been a difficult period for her.
May she continue to have the love and support from her family. .
Many photos and a video posted on the Daily Mail as well. Best dressed would be to Marie-Chantal and Queen Letizia. Prince Albert (as seen in the Daily Mail video)- small suit jacket showing much of his white shirt, walking in with several bodyguards- looks like six of them.
ReplyDeleteHow do you know they were bodyguards?
DeleteEra pieno di guardie del corpo private e per quanto vogliano sfuggire agli sguardi si riconoscono subito dagli atteggiamenti e dal modo di guardarsi attorno, oltre che dagli auricolari. Dietro ogni coppia reale ne ho visti almeno due.
DeleteRossella
Queen Maxima's veil is very dignified.
ReplyDeleteActually, It is a Spanish "mantilla", worn in Spain back in the day, Máxima is from Argentina, Spanish heritage.
DeleteIt was a heartbreaking, yet, heartwarming ceremony.
ReplyDeleteIt was clear that Anne-Marie and her family were touched, by how many people had gathered to show their respect. Hope it brought some comfort to the family to see that they are not alone in their grief.
It was also so sweet to see that so many high rank royals attended. Very touching, dignified and beautiful farewell.
May King Constantine rest in peace.
Kaarin
I was quite surprised to see the crowds in Athens, lining the streets, waiting in front of the cathedral, cheering for the departed king, cheering for his widow, and also cheering loud and clear "Pavlos, Pavlos". There'd been long queues too for the public to say last farewells to King Constantine before the funeral, when he was lying in repose (no lying in state, as he was not head of the state for decades) in that small chapel adjoining the Metropolit Cathedral. Perhaps the Greek government should, in fact, rethink matters about the monarchy. I mean, there still is the "Romanian Model", in which the state remains a republic, but has acknowledged the heiress to the Romanian crown, she is allowed to be called "Her Majesty" and is regarded as the custodian of the Romanian crown. Plus, she lives in a palace in Bucharest. Some sort of compromise.
DeleteI was taught that a funeral is not an event for high fashion or elaborate makeup, whatever the background. Although I find Queen Letizia perfect in every respect, right down to the jewellry and hose, I fail to understand why she is caked in eye makeup, a pity really because modesty is called for, as wonderfully displayed by
ReplyDeletePrincess Anne.
🌞 Virginia
That must be in your country and religion, not in Spain . I haven't Heard anyting about make Up in my Life and I am 53. Actually she is at an Greek Orthodox funeral, I haven't Heard about modesty in my Life either.. Not everyone is from the same religión and culture.
DeletePrincess Anne is from the Luteram , protestantism, not Greek Orthodox, right?
DeleteModesty? At a funeral? Where? What culture are you speaking about? The British? Have you ever seen a funeral in Spain??
DeleteAll of the Greek Royal women wore little to no makeup or jewelry. I was amazed at how much more beautiful both MC and her daughter Olympia look with clean faces. I guess having flawless skin and great bone structure doesn't hurt.
DeleteVirginia, you need glasses, Princess Anne wears "red" Lipstick..🙄
DeleteAnon 19:42..., because of that the British wear always lots of make Up and a Lipstick in the bag..? Princess Anne wore reddhis to the funeral of the Queen and the Princess of Wales make Up was almost a Pink person...
DeleteI think It is not necessary to insult ..you must be a Greek Head..🤭
Anon 19:42. MC is American, not Greek at all. Actually in Europe people have thought that her dress was too much tight, not regal at all. And Olympia was showing her arms, at a funeral. Make Up is not protocol, but the elegante of the dress, yes.
DeleteIf not the King - William should be there, especially since Constantine was his godfather. What an embarrassment for the BRF. And the best they could do was Anne.
ReplyDelete"The best they could do was Anne" - is Anne not enough? You don't know the reasons why William was not there, do you?
DeleteAnne actually is the best they can do, because she does more than double the amount of engagements William does and other than William, she actually wanted to be there - because these are her father's relatives, this was her father's country of origin and she was a bridesmaid at Constantine & Anne-Marie's wedding. And she actually cares about such things...
DeleteIMO Anne is the best they can do and the BRF would be better off if she had been the heir to the throne.
As Princess Anne is the highest rated member of the royal family according to the most recent UK poll (higher than the Wales' or the King himself, he sent the very best!
DeleteThe best thing they have is precisely Princess Anne.
DeleteThe monarchs from Denmark, Sweden, the Netherlands (x2), Spain (x2) and Belgium. And CPs from Norway, Denmark and the prince from Monaco all showed up.
DeleteThe monarch from BRF couldn’t attend. Nor could his son - the godson of Constantine. Instead they send Anne.
Sorry but I still don’t get it.
She's the Princess Royal - a senior member of the BRF as well as being more or less the same generation as Constantine and having a close personal connection. The King had official commitments. No idea why William didn't attend but I'm sure it wasn't because he didn't feel like it.
DeleteThe 16th January 2023 was a sad day for Queen Anne-Marie when she buried her King.
ReplyDeleteThe diamond cross pendant she wore for the funeral service is the same one she wore for her wedding to King Constantine in 1964. Details via the link ………
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlop859hCfw&ab_channel=BritishPath%C3%A9
@Virginia, there is nothing whether is protocol or cultural that says a woman cannot wear her usual makeup at a funeral, Queen Letizia looks perfectly groomed as usual, to imply that she lacks “ modesty” in your view, is just wrong. I understand that this is your personal opinion, but virtue signaling is just tiring.
ReplyDeleteCherry
Actually Princess Anne is wearing reddhis Lipstick, also Margaret of Denmark...
Delete@Virgina, do you measure all the ladies with the same rule?
ReplyDeleteWhat about, Máxima, M Louise, even Farah Diba? Or is just Queen Letizia?
CB
Who were the two ladies with the white head scarfs ??
ReplyDeleteWho were the two ladies with the white head scarfs ??
ReplyDeleteThey are Queen Noor of Jordan and her daughter Princess Raiyah.
Delete@ Virginia, I don't see anything excessive about Queen Letizia's makeup, nor in any way looks overdone , actually I think she is impeccable. Have you noticed Queen Marghareta's bright lipstick? I think that she has been in enough funerals to present herself as she always does. Do you happen to remember the princess of Wales ( who hardly puts a wrong foot forward) at the Queen's funeral? You may want to check her smoky eye and well traced eyebrows behind the veil, would you call her inmodest, or is that just reserved for the Queen of Spain.
ReplyDeleteMay his memory be eternal. I must say I LOVE seeing Queen Sofia venerate the icons as she had originally been raised to do.
ReplyDeletePost a Comment
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