Inside King Constantine’s close relationship with the British Royal Family – two years after his death

King Constantine of Greece shared multiple links with British royals and the two families formed a close relationship that continues as they mark the second anniversary of his death.

Tied by both blood and long-standing friendships, Constantine’s connection with the Royal Family was strengthened by his 40 years spent in London after being forced into exile when the Greek monarchy was abolished in 1973.

The former king’s funeral in January 2023 was attended by Princess Anne as well as other European royalty. 

His godson, Prince William, was due to pay his respects at a memorial service at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle last February but pulled out because of a ‘personal matter’, while King Charles missed the occasion while his cancer treatment continued.

Constantine passed away aged 82 on January 10, 2023, in a hospital in Athens after being placed in intensive care following a stroke.

The king – born in 1940 and the only son of Crown Prince Paul and Crown Princess Frederica of Greece – was firstly linked to the British monarchy through family connections. Indeed, the late Prince Philip was his father’s first cousin.

Philip was born on the island of Corfu to Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark and Princess Alice of Battenberg in 1921.

Shortly afterwards, the Greek royal family was exiled following the abdication of King Constantine I. With Philip just a toddler, his family fled to Paris on a British warship.

Constantine greets Queen Elizabeth – a ‘confidant’ during his family’s exile in Britain – at St Sophia’s Cathedral in London ahead of the wedding of his son, Crown Prince Pavlos, in 1995

During their lifetimes, the late Duke of Edinburgh and the younger Constantine were close friends and sailing partners.

The two royals maintained their relationship over the years and when Constantine married his beloved wife Queen Anne-Marie on September 18, 1964, Philip was on the guest list.

He attended the ceremony at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Athens with 15-year-old Prince Charles, while 14-year-old Princess Anne was a bridesmaid.

Constantine and Anne-Marie were married for 58 years before his death and had five children – Princess Alexia, Crown Prince Pavlos, Prince Nikolaos, Princess Theodora and Prince Philippos.

Queen Elizabeth went on to become Theodora’s godmother in 1983 and attended her baptism at St Sophia’s Cathedral in London.

Constantine shared a close relationship with Charles and the two holidayed together in 1990 alongside Princess Diana and Princes William and Harry.

Other European royal families – including former King Juan Carlos of Spain and Queen Sofia – joined them in Majorca.  

Their friendship was underlined when Constantine was asked to be William’s godfather.

William was christened in the music room of Buckingham Palace in 1982 and the Daily Mail reported at the time how his six godparents were announced. 

Constantine, who was described as having ‘long been a friend of Prince Charles’, attended the ceremony and was accompanied by his ‘whole family’, according to the report.

The former monarch’s godfatherly duties continued in 1997, when he saw William’s confirmation into the Church of England. 

Prince William – wearing a sling and becoming a godfather for the first time at the age of just 16 – shares a joke with Constantine at the christening of Prince Constantine-Alexios in 1999

Prince Charles and Princess Diana holidaying with William and Harry in Majorca in 1990, when they were joined by other European royals including King Constantine (third left)

Constantine – seated front left – attending William’s christening in 1982 with Diana, Charles and the infant prince’s other godparents

Constantine featured behind Harry and Diana in the official photograph commemorating the day alongside William’s other godparents. 

The favour was then returned in 1999 when William – then just 16 – was asked to be godfather to Constantine’s grandson, Prince Constantine-Alexios.

William attended the royal infant’s christening that April at the Greek Cathedral of St Sophia in London.

Wearing a sling after having an operation on a broken finger the weekend before, the prince ‘was a natural as he cradled his first grandson’, the Mail reported at the time. 

The Greek Orthodox ceremony meant William participated in traditions such as carrying Constantine-Alexios, who is now 26 years old, in a circle. 

Constantine returned to Athens with his wife in 2013 and lived out his final years there until his death ten years later.

After Queen Elizabeth passed away in 2022, the close relationship of the families was demonstrated again when Crown Prince Pavlos of Greece described the late monarch, who was his third cousin, as ‘one of the most wonderful people ever’.

He attended the Queen’s state funeral on behalf of his father, who was too ill to travel to London, and told the BBC how Elizabeth always supported his family. 

Constantine with his daughter Princess Theodora, while Charles and Diana stand nearby at Prince Philippos’s christening in 1986

The former monarch stood behind Harry and Diana in William’s official confirmation photograph in 1997

Prince Philip and the Queen with Constantine after his 70th birthday party in 2010

The Crown Prince said: ‘The Queen has always been a very kind person to my family. Always received with a smile.

‘My parents were very well taken care of by her when we left Greece and lived in England for years after.’

He explained that his father was a ‘confidant’ for the Queen throughout their years in the UK.

He added: ‘The Queen was always receiving us with great smiles and family friendship.

‘Always inquiring how things were going back home or elsewhere. One of the most wonderful people ever.’