ATHENS – After a 30-year absence, members of the former Greek Royal Family have regained their Greek citizenship, expressing "deep emotion" at the restoration of their rights. A statement from their Private Office highlighted the personal impact of the 1994 law that stripped them of their citizenship, rendering them stateless.
The family reiterated their respect for the 1974 referendum that established the republic but argued that the subsequent citizenship law was unjust. The statement also explained the choice of the surname "De Grèce," previously used by their uncle, Michel, as the family had historically not used a surname.
In a decision published in the government gazette on Friday, citizenship was granted to ten members of the former royal family. This group includes the five children of the late King Constantine II and former Queen Anne-Marie, as well as five of their grandchildren.
Constantine has five children: Alexia, 58; Pavlos, 56; Nikolaos, 54; Theodora, 40; and Philippos, 37. Pavlos has five children who were also granted citizenship: Maria-Olympia, 27; Constantine-Alexios, 25; Achileas-Andreas, 23; Odysseas-Kimon, 19; and Aristidis-Stavros, 15.
Other royal family members, including the 78-year-old former Queen Anne-Marie, did not apply.
Despite being stateless for three decades, the family affirmed their unwavering dedication to serving Greece, a commitment they pledged to continue.