Windsor Castle, England (February 21, 2024): King Charles of England will miss the upcoming memorial service for his late second cousin, Constantine II, the last King of Greece, due to his ongoing cancer treatment. Queen Camilla, the Queen Consort, is expected to lead the Royal Family at the service, to be held on February 27th at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle.
Constantine II, who passed away in January 2023 at the age of 82, shared a close friendship with Charles. Despite a reign tainted by controversy, Constantine held the title of godfather to both Prince William and Lady Gabriella Kingston. His widow, Queen Anne-Marie, their son, Crown Prince Pavlos, and other members of the Greek royal family are expected to attend the service alongside foreign dignitaries.
Charles was unable to attend Constantine’s funeral in Athens last year due to commitments. The former Greek monarch, once popular after winning an Olympic gold medal in sailing, saw his reign overshadowed by his involvement in political machinations that weakened the government and ultimately led to a military coup in 1967. Exiled for years, Constantine ultimately returned to Greece in 2013.
While Charles’ absence marks a missed opportunity for a personal farewell, the memorial service promises to be a gathering of both mourning and celebration, commemorating the complex life of a king who witnessed significant chapters in Greek history.
The service will be led by the Dean of Windsor, the Right Rev Christopher Cocksworth.
Queen Sofía of Spain is one of Constantine’s sisters, while the abdicated Queen Margrethe II of Denmark was his sister-in-law.
