Greece Restores Citizenship to Former Royal Family After Decades-Long Dispute

The family of the late King Constantine II adopts the surname 'De Gréce' and pledges loyalty to Greece's democracy.

Greek citizenship has been reinstated for 10 members of the former royal family, including the children and grandchildren of King Constantine II, who died in 2023.
The family lost their citizenship in 1994 during a dispute over royal estates, decades after Greece abolished its monarchy in a 1974 referendum.
In a statement, the family expressed deep emotion over the decision, highlighting the emotional distress caused by their statelessness and affirming their respect for Greece's democratic system.
The family adopted the surname 'De Gréce' as a condition for regaining citizenship, a move criticized by left-wing politicians as an unconstitutional nod to nobility.
The Greek government defended the decision, emphasizing the strength of the country's democracy and its ability to uphold constitutional principles.