FAQ

Here are some questions and answers about the Greek monarchy.
If you find any examples of bad grammar or spelling, and I am sure you will, do not hesitate to tell me. I will appreciate it.
This page was last updated on 27 of February 2002.
 
1. What is the name of the Greek Royal House and how did this family gain the throne?
2. Could a woman become Queen Regnant in Greece?
3. Have there been any Queen Regnants in Greece?
4. Why are the Greek Princes also Princes of Denmark?
5. Why were King Konstantinos I also known as Konstantinos XII?
6. Who are in line of succession to the Greek throne?
7. Who was the last King to be crowned?
8. Which Monarch reigned for the longest period?
9. Which Monarch reigned for the shortest period?
10. How is King Konstantinos II related to other European Monarchs?
1. What is the name of the Greek Royal House and how did this family gain the throne?
The name is Oldenburg and the branch is Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg. In 1862 King Otto of the House of Wittelsbach was deposed. In 1863 Prince Vilhelm of Denmark, second son of King Christian IX was appointed King of the Hellenes.

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2. Could a woman become Queen Regnant in Greece?
Yes, Greece had primogeniture succession, meaning that the eldest son inherites the throne, but a daughter can inherite the throne if there are no sons.

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3. Have there been any Queen Regnants in Greece?
No.

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4. Why are the Greek Princes also Princes of Denmark?
Because King Giorgios I was a Prince of Denmark. The Greek Princes have however no successional rights in Denmark. In 1953 the succession was limited to King Christian X's descendants.

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5. Why was King Konstantinos I also known as Konstantinos XII?
Because the old Emperors of Bysans were included. King Konstantinos II was also called Konstantinos XIII.

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6. Who are in line of succession to the Greek throne?
This is the list:
1. Crown Prince Pavlos (b. 1967). The King's eldest son.
2. Prince Konstantinos Alexios (b. 1998). Crown Prince Pavlos's eldest son.
3. Prince Achileas-Andreas (b. 2000). Crown Prince Pavlos's youngest son.
4. Princess Maria Olympia (b. 1996). Crown Prince Pavlos's daughter.
5. Prince Nikolas (b. 1969). The King's second son.
6. Prince Philippos (b. 1986). The King's youngest son.
7. Princess Alexia (b. 1965). The King's eldest daughter.
8. Arrieta Morales (b. 2002). Princess Alexia's daughter.
9. Princess Theodora (b. 1983). The King's youngest daughter.
10. Princess Irene (b. 1942). The King's sister.
11. Nancy Helen Marie Leeds (b. 1925). Princess Marie's granddaughter.
12. Alexandra Wyncoop (b. 1959). Daughter of #11.
 

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7. Who was the last King to be crowned?
To be answered.

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8. Which Monarch reigned for the longest period?
That was Giorgios I, who reigned for 49 years. He was King of the Hellenes 1863-1913.

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9. Which Monarch reigned for the shortest period?
King Alexandros I reigned for 3 years. He was King of the Hellenes 1917-1920. King Giorgios II was King for only 6 months 1922-1923, but he was also King 1935-1941 and 1946-1947.

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10. How is King Konstantinos II related to other European Monarchs?
Denmark
King Konstantinos II and Queen Margrethe II are brothers/sisters-in-law. King Konstantinos is married to Queen Margrethe's sister Anne-Marie.
Sweden
King Konstantinos II and King Carl XVI Gustaf are third cousins. They are descendants of the British Queen Victoria. These are the lines: Victoria - Victoria - Sophie - Pavlos I - Konstantinos II and Victoria - Arthur - Margaret - Gustaf Adolf - Carl XVI Gustaf.
Norway
King Konstantinos II and King Harald V are third cousins. They are descendants of the Danish King Christian IX. These are the lines: Christian IX - Giorgios I - Konstantinos I - Giorgios II - Konstantinos II and Christian IX - Frederik VIII- Haakon VII - Olav V - Harald V.
United Kingdom
King Konstantinos II and Queen Elizabeth II are third cousins. They are descendants of the British Queen Victoria. These are the lines: Victoria - Victoria - Sophie - Pavlos I - Konstantinos II and Victoria - Edward VII - George V - George VI - Elizabeth II.
Spain
King Konstantinos II and King Juan Carlos are brothers in law. King Juan Carlos is married to Konstantinos's sister Sophia.
Luxembourg
King Konstantinos II and Grand Duke Henri are third cousins once removed. They are descendants of the Danish King Christian IX. These are the lines: Christian IX - Giorgios I - Konstantinos I - Giorgios II - Konstantinos II and Christian IX - Frederik VIII - Ingeborg - Astrid - Joséphine-Charlotte - Henri.
The Netherlands
King Konstantinos II and Queen Beatrix are fourth cousins. They are descendants of Friedrich Wilhelm III, King of Prussia. These are the lines: Friedrich Wilhelm III - Wilhelm I - Friedrich III - Sophie - Pavlos I - Konstantinos II and Friedrich Wilhelm III - Alexandrine - Friedrich Franz II - Heinrich - Juliana - Beatrix.
Belgium
King Konstantinos II and King Albert II are third cousins. They are descendants of the Danish King Christian IX. These are the lines: Christian IX - Giorgios I - Konstantinos I - Giorgios II - Konstantinos II and Christian IX - Frederik VIII - Ingeborg - Astrid - Albert II.
Liechtenstein
King Konstantinos II and Prince Hans Adam II are fifth cousins. They are descendants of Karl Ludwig, Prince of Hohenlohe-Langenburg. These are the lines: Karl Ludwig - Ernst - Adelheid - Augusta Victoria - Victoria Luise - Friedrike - Konstantinos II and Karl Ludwig - Marie - Adelheid - Marie-Thérèse - Elisabeth - Franz Josef II - Hans Adam II.
Monaco
King Konstantinos II and Prince Rainier III are sixth cousins. They are descendants of Ludwig IX, Landgrave of Hessen-Darmstadt. These are the lines: Ludwig IX - Friedrike - Friedrich Wilhelm III - Wilhelm I - Friedrich III - Sophie - Pavlos I - Konstantinos II and Ludwig IX - Amalie Friedrike - Karl Ludwig - Marie Elisabeth - Mary Victoria Douglas-Hamilton - Louis II - Charlotte - Rainier III.

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