A professor from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (EKPA) has taken legal action against Greece’s former royal family, filing a case with the Council of State (StE), the country’s highest administrative court.
Panagiotis Lazaratos, a law professor at EKPA, is seeking to strip the ex-royal family of the surname “De Grèce” and their Greek citizenship, arguing that both were granted unconstitutionally and illegally.
In his petition, Lazaratos claims that the former royals’ use of the surname “De Grèce” and their possession of Greek citizenship undermine the principle of popular sovereignty. “My legal interest lies in the fact that individuals who unlawfully hold Greek citizenship due to an illegal surname are registered in the municipal records of Athens and, consequently, in the electoral rolls,” he stated. He further argued that this allows them to participate as voters, potentially influencing the outcome of parliamentary or municipal-regional elections, thereby “distorting the democratic process.”
Constitutional Violations and Legal Conditions
Lazaratos bases his case on Article 6, Paragraph 5 of Law 2215/1994, which outlines three cumulative conditions for granting Greek citizenship to members of the former royal family, descended from Constantine Glücksburg:
1. An unequivocal declaration of respect for the Constitution, acceptance of the Presidential Parliamentary Republic, and recognition of the 1974 referendum that abolished the monarchy.
2. An explicit and unconditional renunciation, before a registrar, of any claims tied to past political office or titles.
3. Registration in the male registries or municipal records with a name, surname, and other legally required identity details.
According to Lazaratos, these conditions have not been met, rendering the citizenship and surname of the former royal family invalid.
The Constitutional Argument
The professor also invokes Article 4, Paragraph 7 of the Greek Constitution, which prohibits titles of nobility or distinction that could imply a sense of superiority or a potential revival of monarchical ambitions. “This provision aims to safeguard popular sovereignty, ensuring that neither the deposed king nor his descendants can threaten the democratic order,” Lazaratos explained. He emphasised that the measure reinforces democracy, state cohesion, and social unity by preventing the former royals and their supporters from attempting to restore a crowned republic.
Lazaratos contends that since the abolition of the monarchy, neither the former king nor his descendants should be permitted to use a surname like “De Grèce,” which signifies the authority they once held and lost. “Such a name is incompatible with the form and fundamental principles of our political system,” he argued.
A Threat to Social Equality and Democracy
In his concluding remarks, Lazaratos underscored that Article 4, Paragraph 7 of the Constitution seeks to prevent anyone from bearing a name that evokes past prestige or class privilege. “This protects social equality, societal cohesion, and the very existence of our democratic system,” he said. Allowing the former royals to retain the “De Grèce” surname and citizenship, he warns, could endanger these core values.
The case has sparked debate in Greece, a country with a complex history regarding its monarchy, abolished definitively in 1974 following a referendum. The Council of State’s ruling could set a significant precedent regarding the legal status of the former royal family, who have lived in exile for decades but retain ties to their Greek heritage. As of now, no official response has been issued by representatives of the former royals.
(Source: To Vima)