In a historic move, members of Greece’s former royal family have formally applied for Greek citizenship and acknowledged the country’s republican government, sparking controversy over their choice of surname.
At a glance:
- Application for citizenship: Former royal family members seek Greek citizenship decades after losing it in a dispute with the government.
- Acknowledgment of republic: The family has formally recognized Greece’s republican system of governance.
- Surname controversy: Their choice of the surname “De Grece” has drawn criticism from opposition lawmakers.
- Monarchy abolished: The Greek monarchy was officially ended by referendum in 1974.
Members of the family of the late King Constantine II, who died last year, have applied for citizenship, marking a significant step toward reconciling with Greece’s republican government. The family lost its Greek citizenship in 1994 during a contentious dispute over royal property and allegations that Constantine refused to renounce claims to the throne on behalf of his descendants.
Interior Ministry official Athanasios Balerpas confirmed that 10 family members, including Constantine’s five children—Alexia, Pavlos, Nikolaos, Theodora, and Philippos—had signed a declaration acknowledging Greece’s republican government. The family also adopted the surname “De Grece,” meaning “of Greece” in French, as part of the process.
“A historically pending matter is being resolved,” Balerpas told state radio. “Let’s look to the future now. I think it’s a good moment because it closes an account from the past and we can now look forward as a people.”
Abolition of the Monarchy and Exile
The Greek monarchy was abolished in 1974 through a referendum in which voters overwhelmingly supported a republican constitution. The decision came months after the fall of a seven-year military dictatorship.
Following the monarchy’s dissolution, the former royal family lived in exile for decades. Constantine returned to Greece in his seventies as a private citizen. The loss of citizenship in 1994 was tied to a legal battle over former royal estates, which are now state-owned.
Criticism Over Surname
While opposition parties from the left did not oppose the family’s application for citizenship, their choice of surname has sparked criticism. Leftwing lawmakers argue that “De Grece” resembles a title rather than a standard surname, which could create confusion about their renunciation of royal claims.
“When they say that they are giving up their titles and any future claims [to the throne], by opting for this family name, they create confusion,” said a spokesperson for the Socialist party. The Syriza party echoed these sentiments, calling the surname “problematic” and pointing out that Greek law does not recognize titles or nobilities.
Previously, the family had rejected the surname “Glucksburg,” which was assigned in a 1994 law. They viewed the name as emphasizing their German ancestry and undermining their Greek identity.
Next Steps
The application must now be published in the official government gazette before the family can apply for Greek passports and state identity cards. While the surname issue has caused a stir, the move is widely seen as a step toward resolving longstanding tensions between the family and the Greek government.
With this chapter closing, Greece may finally move beyond its royal past toward a more unified future.
