Prince Michael of Greece and Denmark, Renowned Historian and Author, Passes Away

Prince Michael of Greece and Denmark, celebrated historian and author, has passed away at the age of 85. The somber news was announced on Sunday, following his death in a hospital in Athens.

Known in literary circles by his pseudonym Michel de Grece, Prince Michael was a distinguished figure in the realm of historical writing.

As the only living grandson of King George I, he held a unique position within European royalty. His father, Prince Christopher, was the fifth son of George I, while his mother, Francoise d’Orleans, hailed from the House of Bourbon. Despite being of the same age, he was the uncle of the former King Constantine of Greece.

Prince Michael married artist Marina Karella, the daughter of industrialist Theodoros Karella. The couple had two daughters, Princess Alexandra and Princess Olga.

His early life was marked by the loss of his father when he was an infant. He spent his childhood in Morocco and Spain and later pursued studies in France. Despite his international upbringing, Prince Michael harbored a deep affection for Greece and its history. He fulfilled his military service in the Cavalry-Tank Corps and spent significant time living in Greece, balancing his life between his homeland and other countries in recent years.

Notably, Prince Michael was the sole member of the Greek Royal Family who remained in Greece after the unsuccessful counter-coup by King Constantine in December 1967. He was also the only member of the Greek royal family to hold Greek citizenship.

His literary career, which began in 1970, brought him international acclaim. He authored numerous bestsellers that masterfully intertwined historical knowledge with captivating narratives. His works spanned a wide range of topics, from Greek and Ottoman histories to tales of the French Louis and the Russian Tsars.

As of now, details regarding his funeral arrangements have not been disclosed.