Greece’s former royal household has been granted Greek citizenship and pledged loyalty to the republic in a landmark transfer 50 years after the nation abolished the monarchy.
Ten family members, together with the youngsters and grandchildren of former King Constantine who died in 2023, utilized for citizenship final week.
The previous royals welcomed the choice with an announcement on Monday saying that the passing of their father and grandfather had marked the top of an period.
Nevertheless, their selection to make use of the surname De Gréce – which in French means “of Greece” – has angered leftwing politicians who declare a the Aristocracy title is unconstitutional.
“The surname they’ve chosen proves that they need to keep a delusion,” mentioned Nikos Androulakis, chief of the centre-left PASOK occasion, the primary opposition.
The previous royals mentioned selecting a surname was a prerequisite for the reinstatement of their nationality, the lack of which had rendered them stateless and brought on vital emotional misery. The household, they mentioned, was and can be loyal to Greece.
“It’s with deep emotion that, after thirty years, we maintain the Greek citizenship once more,” they mentioned.
Greece’s former King Constantine II ascended to the throne in 1964 however his reign was marred by political instability that culminated in a army coup on April 21, 1967.
After the autumn of the junta in 1974, Greeks rejected monarchy in a referendum, making Constantine the final king of Greece. Athens stripped him of his citizenship in 1994 and outlined the phrases below which he and his household may very well be recognised as Greek nationals.
Leftist events mentioned that migrants working in Greece had been having to attend for many years to get citizenship, regardless of assembly the standards, and accused the conservative authorities of making an attempt to win votes.
The federal government says the problem is a formality and that democracy can shield itself.
