The arrival of the approximately 300 Spanish journalists and cameraperson's to Greece for the funeral of former King Constantine II of Greece was not just a chance phenomenon.
Reports that former King of Spain Juan Carlos I, who now lives in self-imposed exile in an Arab Peninsula country following financial and extramarital scandals, will go to Greece for the funeral acted as a thunderbolt for Spanish media that are known for closely covering the royal family.
Ceremonia de sepelio del Rey Constantino de Grecia en el cementerio familiar de Tatoi.
➡️https://t.co/GhxdxocDtV pic.twitter.com/ol9aBkXVdw
— Casa de S.M. el Rey (@CasaReal) January 16, 2023
The fact that Juan Carlos has isolated himself from the Spanish family and that both his son, now King Felipe VI of Spain, and his wife, Queen Sofía, have been keeping their distance from him for several years was the reason that so many Spanish journalists were in Greece.
Many believed that their reunion at the funeral would at least be awkward as communication between the family has been disrupted for more than five years.
The news of the former king's arrival at the funeral – who could not miss it since the former Greek royal family had close relations with him when he ascended the throne – reportedly even made royal family officials uncomfortable.
How will they exchange conversations? What will happen when Sofia and Juan Carlos meet? What will he say after so many years to his children?
These were the questions asked in the Spanish media.
Queen Sofía, wanting to rise to the occasion and under the shadow of the scandals that govern the great royal houses of Europe (such as the one facing the United Kingdom), accepted not only to send a wreath together with him, but to also be accompanied by him in the funeral procession.
In fact, conveying the message that the family is united, experiencing the heavy mourning for her brother, she urged her son Felipe to help his father, who is facing serious health problems, both in his movement within the Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens and within the premises of Tatoi.
The olive branch had gone out the day before when Juan Carlos was instructed to lodge at the St George Lycabettus Lifestyle Hotel in Athens, where according to Proto Thema, both Sofía and their daughters have been staying for a few days.
However, at Sunday's dinner, Sofía and Juan Carlos sat side by side, putting an end to the discord between them.
Many in Spain now comment that "undoubtedly the death of Constantine brought the former royal couple of Spain together..."
READ MORE: VENICE: Dendias visits the most historic church in the Greek Diaspora.
