Photo: Rex Features

On Friday August 21, King Constantine and Queen Anne Marie, along with their son Crown Prince Pavlos and his wife, Crown Princess Marie-Chantal, and their daughter Princess Alexia and her husband Carlos Morales, attended the Athens and Epidaurus Festival in Greece.

The Athens and Epidaurus Festival is a long-running festival that celebrates the arts. The Athens Festival has been running for 52 summers in the Greek capital. It features theatre, music, and dance. The Epidaurus Festival began in 1938, and features classical Greek theatre productions. The festival has attracted renowned performers of the stage such as Maria Callas, Rudolf Nureyev, Margot Fonteyn, Martha Graham, and the Peking Opera. On Friday evening, the Greek royals attended a performance of William Shakespeare’s “The Winter’s Tale”.

It has been a busy summer for the former king, who is looking well-rested since his heart operation in May of this year. The former king and his wife made a lovely couple as they walked hand-in-hand during the festival. They were accompanied by their older children and their respective spouses. This is not the only public event for the Greek royals in Greece this summer. Earlier this month, Pavlos and Marie-Chantal christened their youngest son, Aristides Stavros, at Aghioi Anargiroi monastery near the seaside town of Ermioni.

For more information about the Athens and Epidaurus Festival, please visit this website.

To read about, and to discuss the Greek Royal Family, please visit this thread.

sgl Greek Royals Carlos Morales Quintana, Constantine II, Prince Pavlos, Princess Alexia of Greece, Princess Marie-Chantal, Queen Anne-Marie

Click to see the Belga images

The long-awaited christening of Prince Aristides Stavros, the youngest son of Crown Prince Pavlos and Crown Princess Marie Chantal, took place on August 6.

The baby Prince, who is the youngest grandchild of King Constantine and Queen Anne-Marie of Greece, was christened in Aghioi Anargiroi monastery near the town of Ermioni. Members of the  Greek Royal Family and some of their closest relatives from other Royal Families, including Queen Sofia of Spain, Infanta Elena, Infanta Cristina and their children, attended the ceremony.
King Constantine and Queen Anne-Marie looked overjoyed: indeed, this was one of the first happy family events for the former King after the serious operation he has recently undergone.

Like all his siblings, the little Prince was christened in a Greek Orthodox ceremony.

Prince Aristides was born on June 29, 2008 in Los Angeles. He has an older sister, Princess Maria-Olympia, and three older brothers, Prince Constantine Alexios, Prince Achileas-Andreas and Prince Odysseas-Kimon. The christening was presumably delayed because of King Constantine’s health problems and subsequent surgery.

Visit the christening thread for more information and pictures.

Marsel Greek Royals Christening, Constantine II, Prince Aristides-Stavros, Prince Pavlos, Princess Marie-Chantal, Queen Anne-Marie

From the TRF avatar collection

With the 2009 Wimbledon Championship starting on Monday, all eyes are firmly focussed on Andy Murray but Royal watchers will be surveying the scene for the odd Prince and Princess (and let’s face it there’s quite a few odd ones about these days). Years ago, there was no question of a Royal-less Wimbledon as the long-time President of Wimbledon All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club did her duty by attending and handing out the prizes. Of course, the lady in question is the late Princess Marina, Duchess of Kent. In elegant creations by Sir Hardy Amies (amongst others) Princess Marina became as much a symbol of Wimbledon as the players themselves, and pretty soon Her Royal Highness was taken to the hearts of the crowds as Wimbledon’s most dedicated Royal supporter.

How strange then that such an English sport should have a Greek-born Princess as its patron, but then from the moment she arrived in the UK, Princess Marina was adopted as one of our own. In 1934, the year of her marriage to Prince George (son of George V and Queen Mary), record numbers of baby girls were named ‘Marina’ as a tribute to the beautiful new Princess. As a Princess by birth, Marina was used to good living and due deference. She famously branded the Queen Mother and Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester, “Common little Scotch girls” and told a biographer that only she could boast “not one drop of common blood,” and she was right. Her mother was Grand Duchess Helen Vladimirovna of Russia and her bloodline connected to every Royal House in Europe. Yet despite this, Marina very nearly ended up in the poor house. Read more…

BeatrixFan British Royals, Greek Royals, Historical Royals Princess Marina, Wimbledon

The Associated Foreign Press (AFP) and the London Telegraph reported today that Princess Alexia of Greece and Denmark’s husband Carlos Morales spent more than five hours answering questions before a Spanish judge in connection with an investigation of corruption. Twenty-One people have already been arrested or charged in connection with the investigation.

Click for Photo at Hola

As first reported on this website yesterday, and with much respect to the AFP and London Telegraph, they have made an error in translating the Spanish legal terms in reporting Morales has been “charged.” According to our Spanish readers, Carlos Morales’ status is still “imputado,” which translates closest in English as a “person of interest.” This simply means he remains under investigation. Under Spanish law, Carlos Morales’ status would be changed to “auto,” if he were indeed charged. The press release from the court does not indicate he has been charged.

Continued media speculation about the secret investigation shows that someone close to the investigation is leaking information to the press. Since the speculation is not official, any information on charges continues to be rumor.   As Princes Alexia (and Carlos by marriage) is the paternal niece of Spain’s Queen Sophia and maternal niece of Denmark’s Queen, it is also certain that the media speculation will continue.

Sadly, the continued speculation will certainly dampen Carlos Morales and Princess Alexia’s upcoming tenth anniversary in early July. They have four children and currently live in Puerto Calero, Lanzarote, Canary Islands where the investiagion is taking place.

As the Former King of Greece is still recovering from open heart surgery, it is understandable that the family has had no immediate reaction or comment.  They may also be waiting until the investigation reaches some conclusion.

More information, as available, will be in the current events thread for Princess Alexia and Carlos Morales Quintana.

Author’s Note: Due to the serious nature of the allegations, I continue to chose not to report on the speculation regarding specific charges. The investigation specifics are under confidential seal and only the judge and the investigators know for certain the scope of the specific allegations. Until there is an official announcement from the judge or the police, any reports of specific charges are rumors and speculation.

Sg1Fan Greek Royals Carlos Morales Quintana, Legal Matters, Princess Alexia of Greece

Former King Constantine II’s son-in-law, Carlos Morales Quintana, is under investigation in Spain for bribery and corruption.  Morales Quintana, a Spanish architect from the Canary Islands in Spain, faces up to 4 years in prison if charged and convicted.

Under Spanish law, Morales Quintana is only a “person of interest” in an ongoing investigation. He has not been formally charged in the scandal.  However, his offices have been searched and records have been seized. He has also attended an interogation with the Spanish Police, by appointment, accompanied by an attorney.  Carlos Morales Quintana declined to comment on the investigation when approached outside the police station.

Click for Photo at Hola

Carlos and his wife, Princess Alexia of Greece and Denmark, are set to celebrate their tenth wedding anniversary on July 9.  They have four children and currently live in Puerto Calero, Lanzarote, Canary Islands.  Princess Alexia is the oldest child of the Former King and Queen of Greece (the former Princess Anne-Marie of Denmark) and is an avid sailor.  She and her husband both participate on the AZUR DE PUIG sailing team in Spain.

Princess Alexia, the niece of both Queen Sophia of Spain and Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, was briefly the Crown Princess of Greece prior to her brother Prince Pavlos’ birth. A popular member of the family, she is frequently photographed with her Spanish Royal Cousins and most recently appeared at the First Communion celebrations with them. Carlos has also been a popular figure and was most recently photographed by Spanish photographer David Seri for the May 2009 Binter Canarias magazine.  The interview and photos were conducted just before the news of the investigation broke.

The press in Denmark (where Princes Alexia’s maternal Aunt is the reigning Queen) have reported that Carlos Morales Quintana was arrested and charged, but those reports are believed to be a problem in the translation.

The news could not come at a worse time for the Deposed Greek Royals.  King Constantine is recovering from major open heart surgery.  He has yet to conduct official engagements and was just recently released to recover at home.

More information, as available, will be in the current events thread for Princess Alexia and Carlos Morales Quintana.

Author’s Note: Due to the serious nature of the allegations, I have chosen not to report on the speculation regarding specific charges.  The investigation specifics are under confidential seal and only the judge and the investigators know for certain the scope and what the specific allegations are. Until there is an official announcement from the judge or the police, any reports of specific charges are rumors and speculation.

Sg1Fan Greek Royals Carlos Morales Quintana, Legal Matters, Princess Alexia of Greece

Greece’s Former King, Constantine II, is now out of the Intensive Care Unit at Wellington Hospital and in a private room according to a message posted to the family’s site.  The June 3 update says the King “ is surrounded by family and is recovering satisfactorily.”

The King is recovering from a scheduled open heart surgery and has had visits from his sisters Queen Sophia of Spain and Princess Irene of Greece.  The Queen’s visit caused quite a bit of press after she chose a budget Ryanair flight for the visit over expensive travel. Photos from the visit are available in the this current events thread.

It is expected that once the King is discharged in the coming week that another bulletin will be posted to the official website from the King’s Office.

Sg1Fan Greek Royals Constantine II, Princess Irene of Greece

Click to see the images from Hola!

  Last Sunday, May 31, Queen Sofia and her sister Princess Irene of Greece flew from Santander, where the Queen was attending the celebration of the Spanish Armed Forces Day, to London on board a Ryanair flight to visit their brother Constantine II, Former King of Greece.

King Constantine is recovering from a heart operation in the Intensive Care Unit at Wellington hospital.

Paty Greek Royals, Spanish Royals Constantine II, Hospital, Princess Irene of Greece, Queen Sofia, Surgery

Click to see the image from Zimbio

Constantine II, Former King of Greece, is recovering in a London hospital from a successful scheduled heart operation.  An announcement on the family’s website, signed “Anne-Marie R” expresses gratitude for the well wishes and congratulations to the surgical team. “The messages of support, which we have been receiving from Greece and other parts of the world, have touched us all,” she notes.  The announcement also includes a brief progress statement from the Former King’s physician team.

The Former King, as expected, is recovering in the Intensive Care Unit at Wellington Hospital without any cardioventillatory support. No release date information was provided.

Further information, when available will be posted in this current events thread.

Sg1Fan Greek Royals Constantine II, Queen Anne-Marie, Surgery

  In Athens on 14th May 1962 Princess Sofia of Greece married Prince Juan Carlos of Spain in two ceremonies, a Catholic service followed by a Greek Orthodox service. The engagement between the couple had been announced on 12th December 1961. image The wedding was attended by over 150 members of various royal families throughout Europe. image The wedding festivites included a garden party hosted by the couple for people who had travelled from Spain and a pre-wedding banquet. image

The bride wore a stunning gown of silver satin lame covered in lace and tulle with a twenty foot long train that was designed by the Greek couturier Jean Dessés. image Sofia’s mother, Queen Frederica, gave her daughter a fifteen foot long veil which she had used for her own wedding to Prince Paul of Greece in 1938. image To hold the veil in place Sofia choose the Prussian diamond tiara given to her by Queen Frederica of Greece. image Sofia lent this tiara 42 years later to Letizia Oritz on the occasion of her marriage to the Prince of Asturias in May 2004. The eight bridesmaids included Princess Irene of The Netherlands, Princess Alexandra of Kent and Princess Anne Marie of Denmark. image Anne Marie, according to reports, caught the bride’s bouquet and in 1964 she married Sofia’s brother, Constantine.

The wedding dress along with those worn by Infanta Elena, Infanta Christina and Letizia Ortiz, was put on display at the Museum in the Royal Palace of Aranjuez.
image , image

More information and pictures can be found in this thread.  The photo is from the Royal Forums avatar collection.

PrincessofEurope Greek Royals, Spanish Royals Fashion, King Juan Carlos, Queen Sofia, Wedding, Wedding Anniversary

In a surprising announcement this morning, King Constantine’s London office announced via the family’s website that King Constantine II, Former King of Greece, will be undergoing ‘elective’ heart surgery on May 29 at Wellington Hospital, London.

The announcement stated:

His Majesty King Constantine [Former King of Greece] is scheduled to undergo elective cardiac surgery for calcific aortic stenosis with valve replacement using a bioprosthesis and a single-vessel bypass… and will be performed by Professor Gilles D. Dreyfus…Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon & the Director of Transplantation at Harefield Hospital and Professor of Cardiovascular Surgery at Imperial College, London.

Click to see more at Zimbio.com

In layman’s terms, one of the King’s arteries has become blocked or narrowed by cholesterol and is unable to properly send blood between the heart and the lungs.  This correction involves surgically cutting the artery at the blockage and rerouting blood flow.  At the same time, he will be having one of the four valves of the heart replaced.  The replacement, a bioprosthesis, will be made from one of three possible grafts – animal tissue, human tissue of a donated heart or rarely a patient’s own tissue. Patients with bioprosthesis usually do not need to take blood-thinning medicines but these valves are not as strong as mechanical valves and often need to be replaced every 10 years or so.  

Although both procedures are fairly common, they are not without risks. During surgery, patients are most often placed on a “heart and lung machine” so that the heart and lungs can be stopped for the entirety of the procedure. Patients are usually closely monitored for the first few days after surgery in an Intensive Care Unit to ensure there are no post surgical complications.

The Wellington Hospital, a private hospital in London, has one of the top Intensive Care Units (likely where King Constantine will recover post surgery) and has a well respected specialty cardiac unit.

Information, when available will be posted in this current events thread.

Sg1Fan Greek Royals Constantine II, Health, Hospital, Surgery