Home > Constantine II of Greece

Constantine had a turbulent relationship with his prime minister, George Papandreou, a centrist. Papandreou's resignation in 1965, after a clash with Constantine over control of the military, led to turmoil in the country, and culminated in a military coup on April 21, 1967. In December of that year, Constantine and his family fled to Rome after an unsuccessful attempt to overthrow the ruling junta. The monarchy continued in his absence under regents. In 1973, the military regime 'abolished' the monarchy and declared a republic. In 1974, the new democratic regime under Constantine Karamanlis held a second democratic referendum, which confirmed the monarchy's abolition, with the monarchy receiving only one third of all votes cast. Many Greek people and most Greek politicians blamed Constantine II for the chaos that had led to the coup. Greek Prime Minister (under both King Paul and the Republic, as well as future President of the Hellenic Republic) Constantine Karamanlis dismissively described Constantine as '(King) Paul's naughty little boy.' Other Greek politicians were even harsher, describing him as a "half-wit" and "moron".

In 1964 King Constantine married Queen Anne-Marie, born Princess of Denmark, and sister of the current Danish Queen, Margrethe II. His heir, should the throne ever be restored, is Crown Prince Pavlos . Constantine II's sister, Sofia, is married to King Juan Carlos of SpainHis Majesty King Juan Carlos I (Juan Carlos Alfonso Victor Maria de Borbon y Borbon), styled HM The King (born January 5, 1938), is the reigning King of Spain. His grandfather Alfonso XIII was King of Spain until deposed in 1931 by the Second Spanish Repu.

Constantine II and Queen Anne-Marie live in exile in London, where the exiled monarch is a close friend of The Prince of WalesFor other people known as Charles, Prince of Wales, see Charles, Prince of Wales (disambiguation His Royal Highness The Prince Charles, Prince of Wales (Charles Philip Arthur George Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly Windsor), styled HRH The Prince Charles, Du and a godfather to Prince William of WalesHis Royal Highness Prince William of Wales (William Arthur Philip Louis Mountbatten-Windsor) (born June 21, 1982) is a member of the British Royal Family, a grandson of Queen Elizabeth II. Prince William is second in the line of succession to the British.