Greece Grants Citizenship to 10 Former Royal Family Members

The Greek government has granted citizenship to ten members of the former royal family, including the children and grandchildren of former King Constantine, who was Greece’s last king before the country abolished the monarchy system nearly 50 years ago.

The former royal family applied for Greek citizenship last week, nearly one year after the death of former King Constantine. They noted that the passing of their father and grandfather marked the end of the era and welcomed the Greek government’s decision to grant citizenship, Schengen.News reports.

Greek Politicians Against Decision of Former Royal Family to Keep “De Gréce” Surname 
While the former royal family expressed gratitude for regaining citizenship, they said they would be keeping the “De Grece” surname, which in French means “of Greece”. 

Leftwing politicians were not content with the decision, claiming that the nobility title was unconstitutional. On the other hand, one of the few conditions of the former royals was keeping this surname.

Greece’s former King Constantine II inherited the throne in 1964, which was followed by political turmoil that culminated in a military coup on April 21, 1967. The Greek government stripped off citizenship of the former royal family in 1994.

According to AP News, Constantine has five children: Alexia, 58; Pavlos, 56; Nikolaos, 54; Theodora, 40; and Philippos, 37. 

Pavlos’ five children were also granted citizenship: Maria-Olympia, 27; Constantine-Alexios, 25; Achileas-Andreas, 23; Odysseas-Kimon, 19; and Aristidis-Stavros, 15.

The majority of European countries were monarchies, but now only a few of them remain. Currently, there are 12 royal families in Europe: the Bourbons (Spain), the Bernadottes (Sweden), the Glücksburgs (Norway and Denmark), the Orange-Nassaus (Netherlands), the Saxe-Coburg and Gothas (Belgium), the Nassaus (Luxembourg), the Grimaldis (Monaco), the Liechtensteins (Liechtenstein), the Papacy (Vatican City), and the Co-Princes (Andorra).

Source: https://schengen.news/greece-grants-citizenship-to-10-former-royal-family-members/