LATEST: On Thursday, the Norwegian royal house confirms that Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit will attend ex-King Kontantin’s funeral in Athens, Greece. It will take place on January 16. According to Greek CNN British Prince William will also participate.
On Tuesday evening this week, the news came that earlier King Constantine of Greece had passed away, after struggling with illness. He lived to be 82 years old.
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The former king, who ruled from 1964 to 1974 – when a referendum decided that the monarchy in Greece should be abolished – was married to Queen Margrethe of Denmark’s (82) sister, Anne-Marie (76).
It also meant that he had very close ties to several of Europe’s royal houses – including the Norwegian one.
Peace in Norway
King Constantine and Queen Anne-Marie managed to be married for a full 58 years, before the family received the sad news of death.
They already met when Danish Anne-Marie was 13 years old. At the time, the 19-year-old Constantine was crown prince of Greece. The meeting took place in Copenhagen, when the crown prince visited Denmark with his parents and siblings, writes Danish Picturemagazine.
IN NORWAY: Konstantin and Anne-Marie were keen visitors to Norway. Here during the Olympics in Lillehammer in 1994. Photo: Gorm Kallestad / NTB
sea view
A few years later, love began to blossom in earnest. At the time, Anne-Marie was still only 15 years old, while the crown prince had turned 21. Love was allowed to blossom in a suitable place: under Spanish then-Prince Juan Carlos (85) and Princess Sofia (84) – Constantine’s sister.
In the summer of 1962, Crown Prince Konstantin proposed to Princess Anne-Marie. The romantic, and private, moment took place in Norway.
Close bonds of friendship
Constantine had very close ties to Norway and the Norwegian royal family. According to Se og Hør’s royal house expert Caroline Vagle, they were both related and good friends.
Vagle can also say that King Harald (85) and Konstantin shared an interest in sailing. Our own King is a noted sailing enthusiast, and the former King of Greece shared the same enthusiasm. In 1960, he won a gold medal in sailing at the Summer Olympics in Rome.
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In addition, Queen Sonja (85) and Anne-Marie are good friends, and the couple’s eldest son, Crown Prince Pavlos (55), and his wife Marie-Chantal (54) are very good friends of Crown Prince Haakon (49) and Crown Princess Mette-Marit ( 49), says Vagle.
CLOSE FRIENDS: Konstantin’s son Pavlos and his wife Mare-Chantal are close friends of Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit. Here during Princess Ingrid Alexandra’s 18th birthday celebration. Photo: Lise Åserud / NTB
sea view
The royal house expert further says that they became known when the crown prince couple lived in London in the early 2000s.
The good friendship has also led to Mette-Marit being godfather to Pavlos and Marie-Chantal’s son Odysseas (18). In return, Pavlos is godfather to the crown prince couple’s son, Prince Sverre Magnus (16).
GUESTS: Princess Maria-Olympia, Prince Achileas-Andreas and Prince Konstantin Alexios of Greece and Denmark during Princess Ingrid Alexandra’s birthday celebration. Photo: Lise Åserud / NTB
sea view
Pavlos, Marie-Chantal and three of the children were among the guests at Princess Ingrid Alexandra’s 18th birthday celebration last year.
Prince nephew
Ex-King Constantine also had close connections to the British royal family, according to the report Sky News.
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Constantine’s father was a cousin of the late Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. As is well known, he was the late Queen Elizabeth’s spouse for over 70 years.
Konstantin was also a personal friend of King Charles (74), and is godfather to Prince William (40).
Sending condolences
On Wednesday, the day after the news of the death came, Queen Margrethe sends her condolences to Konstantin’s family.
“At this time, the thoughts of the royal family go to Queen Anne-Marie and the entire Greek family,” it says, among other things.
It is also stated that the flag will be flown at half-mast at Amalienborg, on the occasion of the death.
The Norwegian royal house has not yet issued any public condolences. Dagbladet has been in contact with the Palace’s communications manager Guri Varpe, who says that this has been done privately.
“His Majesty the King has, on behalf of the Royal Family, sent a private condolence to HM Queen Anne Marie on the occasion of King Constantine’s passing”, she states.
