Prince Philip's Former Greek Citizenship and Greek and Danish Titles

[Iluvbertie]

The naturalisation was gazetted - as happened to everyone who took out citizenship - and that was really all that happened.

I have said it before but my mother was working at the British High Commission in Canberra during the late 40s and early 50s and the official line that she was told to tell enquirers was that he was still a Prince of Greece and Denmark and still in the line of accession to the Greek throne in the lead up to the wedding, coronation and 1954 tour of Australia and she has a number of documents etc that she was given as a farewell gift that have that same information.

 

[cepe]

There is a difference between items appearing in the Gazette or CC for that matter and, as Homme suggested, "shouting it from the rooftops". Minimum but necessary publication and nothing proactive, with agreed statements if enquiries are made.

Standard process of dealing with situations that could escalate in a negative way.

 

[Iluvbertie]

That is exactly why I said it was gazetted - to shout it from the rooftops would have made it front page headlines etc - it was announced but no differently to anyone else at the time.

They didn't want to make a song and dance about it - just did it and moved on.

 

[fandesacs2003]

He didn't lose his place in the line of succession to the Greek throne by giving up his Greek titles so that line doesn't fly.

He did. He gave ug to all his rights to the greek throne when marryinp Pcs Elisabeth

 

[Iluvbertie]

He did. He gave ug to all his rights to the greek throne when marryinp Pcs Elisabeth

Not according to the British - who were telling their offices around the world, as late as 1954, to my certain knowledge that he was still in the line of succession to the Greek throne and only lost his right to the Danish throne in 1953 with the changes in law there.

 

[cepe]

Why is this important?

 

[fandesacs2003]

(Prince Philip is the only Greek prince who is ever said to have renounced his rights and his titles.
Others point out that even if Prince Philip renounced his rights of succession to the Greek throne

No, he is not the only one. Pcs Michael of Greece, only son of Pcs Christopher, and grandson of King George I, has renounce to his rights when married the commoner Marina Carella

 

[MarriedtoaScot]

A British citizen can not use a foreign title without a Royal Licence. It is possible that the Duke of Edinbough still technically has the right to his Danish and Greek title, but since he is British he can not legally use it. So when he was naturalized he became LT Mountbatten. I suppose he could have asked for Royal Licence to use his Greek title but none have been granted since 1932.

 

[NGalitzine]

Royal Musings: British titles, etc: the rules ARE Hard and Fast

"In 1947, Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark went through the naturalization process before his marriage to Princess Elizabeth. He renounced his Greek and Danish titles, and his place in the Greek succession, and adopted the surname Mountbatten. This naturalization was not necessary because Philip was born with British nationality as a descendant of the Electress Sophia of Hanover. This was due to the Sophia Naturalization Act (1705), which gave British nationality in perpetuity to Sophia's descendants. The act was superseded in 1949 by the passage of the British Nationality Act, but there are descendants of Sophia who are eligible for nationality under the SNA.

Prince Philip actually began the process of renouncing his Greek and Danish titles in 1941, three years after joining the Royal Navy. This was done in a private letter to King George II, then in exile, in December 1941. The king accepted the renouncement "reluctantly," due to Philip's desire to serve in the Royal Navy. There was never an action taken by the Greek government after George II returned, but the decision was accepted by the Greek king. It became moot by 1947, due to the Nationalization process, when Philip was required to renounce his foreign titles. George VI created Philip as HRH Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth, & Baron Greenwich on the day of his marriage to Princess Elizabeth. Although the media and others continued to refer to Philip as Prince Philip, he had lost his princely title at the time of the naturalization (or in 1941, when he wrote to King George II.) He became a Prince of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in 1957.

The information about the action in 1941 was confirmed to me by the Duke of Edinburgh's office, again, in the mid-1990s.
"

 

[Viv]

I've seen a similar discussion on a different forum some years ago, and ... if my memory serves me right .. we agreed at the time that when you renounce your royal title and the nationality that goes with you relinquish your succcessions rights as well! Maybe the latter involves a separate action like the signing of a document, but that's beyond the point.
IMO Prince Philip lost the his Greek succession rights at the time of his naturalization - regardless of the prospects of the Greek monarchy in 1947, and his Danish succession rights - if any! - went out the window at the same time. However so far I haven't found any proof that he ever was in the Danish line of succession!

Yet some of you insist that he was and that he kept his Danish succession rights until the change of the succession law in 1953. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt until further .... however it doesn't make sense if he was!
Living far away from Danish archives and the like I'm not really able to check the subject thoroughly. I could probably ask one of the RF historians, but he/she would probably find it a nerdy question ... !

IMO many tend to focus too much on the '- of Denmark' style of the Greek RF. Again: It was a safety measure, a legal technicality insisted upon by King Christian IX back in 1863 when Prince Vilhelm/William was headhunted for the rocky Greek throne by the Great powers. He would probably have been fully reinstated in the Danish line of succcession had the Greek experiment failed and his children would have been included as well. That was what his father wanted! However I fail to see the point of including Villy's descendants during his kingship and beyond!
The 'of Denmark ' style underlined the connection with the Danish RF and entitled Villy to repatriation if things went wrong in Greece, as Christian IX feared they would. Eventually it didn't happen until some time after George's/Villy's death. That's why members of the Greek RF have been issued with Danish (nowadays: diplomatic) passports over the past 90 years, Prince Philip probably included! - but as far as I know these passport never implied full citizen rights, and why they would have included succession rights to the Danish throne is beyond me!


Viv

 

[snowflower]

The naturalisation was gazetted - as happened to everyone who took out citizenship - and that was really all that happened.

I have said it before but my mother was working at the British High Commission in Canberra during the late 40s and early 50s and the official line that she was told to tell enquirers was that he was still a Prince of Greece and Denmark and still in the line of accession to the Greek throne in the lead up to the wedding, coronation and 1954 tour of Australia and she has a number of documents etc that she was given as a farewell gift that have that same information.

The Greek Constitution at the time , just like every Constitution until the abolition of the monarchy, stated very clearly that only members of the Eastern Orthodox church were eligible for the throne. So Philip lost his right to claim the throne automatically when he joined the Church of England even if there was no other arrangement made. Titles are of course a different matter , more complex

 

[Nudge]

Hi all.

I have been following this debate and have found something that interesting that may add to it. I think people maybe looking in the wrong place for evidence. I have used the National Library of Australia's "Trove" resource to search the papers of the day for answers to this. The Australian newspapers of 20 March 1947 quote The Times as saying this:

"The Times," commenting on the naturalization, says that a foreigner, on being granted British naturalization, abandons any title he may have.

So it would appear that Philip did not renounce his titles, but merely abandoned them. As it has been legally established that he was not a foreigner at the time, his naturalization would be null and void, as would the abandonment of his titles as part of the process.

So logically it follows that unless Philip has actually specifically renounced his titles after the "Attorney-General vs. HRH Prince Ernest Augustus of Hanover [1957] 1 All ER 49" case, he remains to this day a Prince of Greece & Denmark.

Papers at first talk about his abandonment of titles through naturalization and his renunciation of Greek succession rights as separate issues, but soon in the lead-up to his marriage begin to say he renounced his titles and succession. I attribute this to journalistic/editorial laziness rather than the result of any specific action.

This is one of the searches I performed to get this result:

Search results for 'philip mountbatten greece naturalized' - Digitised newspapers and more - Trove

Could someone with access to The Times please search to find the original article?

 

[carlfraley]

True. Prince Katherine didn't have to renounce hers, the king allowed her to be styled as lady brandham and gave her precedence after all HRH in England. Outside of the uk, she was still till the day she died HRH princess of Greece and Denmark

 

[Muhler]

A long debate, that's for sure, but we continue to go back to square one.

Prince Phillip was prince of Denmark, not to Denmark, so he was not in the Line of Succession.

If you abandon/give up a title or whatever you want to call it, you lose the right to use it. You can't come back many decades later and reclaim your title.

Any title that is not acknowledged in the countries in question is hollow.
Greece is a republic. Prince Phillip of Greece would not be a HH or HRH, but simply Mr. Phillip Windsor.
In Denmark he has not been listed as a member of the DRF since his marriage to QEII. - If he wants to be Phillip of Denmark again, he will have to ask QMII.
Otherwise it will not be acknowledged.

Even the Greek ex-king is considered an ordinary citizen in Greece now, so the chances of Greece accepting a prince Phillip of Greece is hopeless.

Nor can you pass on a title which you have abandoned to your children. So the PoW and his brothers are not and cannot be princes of Denmark either.
Unless Queen Margrethe give her approval. And I cannot imagine she would "adopt" foreign royals into the DRF.

 

[Nudge]

Also, I searched the British naturalization acts applicable in 1947, and I couldn't find anything to suggest that foreign titles are lost. So where does that come from? The only thing I have found on this is George V's letters patent, and that deals specifically with German titles only, and applied only to descendants of Queen Victoria.

 

[Muhler]

Also, I searched the British naturalization acts applicable in 1947, and I couldn't find anything to suggest that foreign titles are lost. So where does that come from? The only thing I have found on this is George V's letters patent, and that deals specifically with German titles only, and applied only to descendants of Queen Victoria.

Presumably an established costum that you give up foreign citizenship and titles upon marrying into the BRF. (Probably a good idea too)!

Anyway, in the present world I fail to see the relevance of that act. Unless British legislation and costums takes precedence over Danish and Greek legislation.
Greece is still a republic and he isn't listed as a member of the (extended) DRF.
If the Duke wish to use his former titles he will have to seek approval of the Greek Parliament and QMII, otherwise his titles will not be accepted outside his own home, regardless of British legislation.

 

[Nudge]

From the Wikipedia page on the Danish Royal Family:

Most of the members of the deposed Royal Family of Greece hold the title of Prince or Princess of Greece and Denmark with the qualification of His or Her Highness, pursuant to the Royal Cabinet Order of 1774 and as agnatic descendants of George I of Greece, who, as the son of the future King Christian IX of Denmark, was (and remained) a "Prince of Denmark" prior to his accession to the throne of Greece in 1863. Until 1953 his dynastic male-line descendants remained in Denmark's order succession. However, no Danish act has revoked usage of the princely title for these descendants, neither for those living in 1953, nor for those born subsequently or who have since married into the dynasty.

I also note that The International Olympic Committee still recognizes the deposed Greek King Constantine II as a royal.

Loss of sovereignty does not necessarily mean loss of recognition.

 

[Nudge]

It would appear that the (former) Royal Greek Family remain Danish & Greek princes, as recognised by Denmark. This is a google translation of a question asked of the Danish Minister of Justice in the Danish Parliament:

Q. No S 3937

The Minister of Justice (11/9 01) by:

Anne Baastrup (SF) :

"Could the Minister confirm that (King ) Constantine has a Danish passport , and if so , how did he get it ? '

Reason

See that Constantine is not a Danish citizen and that his wife has waived the right to be heir to the throne , why Constantine nor a member of the Danish royal family .

Reply ( 19/9 01)

The Minister of Justice ( Jensen ) :

The Ministry of Justice for the purpose of answering the question asked the Foreign Ministry for an opinion .

When this advice is available , I will return to this matter .

Supplementary answer (12/ 10 01 )

The Minister of Justice ( Jensen ) :

The Ministry of Justice for use in responding obtained a statement from the Foreign Ministry .

According to the opinion , the Foreign Ministry with the basis of the Instructions for Foreign Service has complied with a request to issue diplomatic passports to His Majesty King Constantine , as members of the Greek royal family in the from King Christian IX and Queen Louise descended line , ie . descendants of King George I ( born Prince William of Denmark ) takes the title Prince , respectively Princess of Greece and Denmark .

 

[Nudge]

So it would seem that Denmark recognizes all agnatic descendants of King Christian IX to be titled Prince or Princess of Denmark, other than those who are the issue of unapproved morganatic marriages. On the evidence I have seen here, that would include Prince Philip and his descendants.

Abandoning the use of a title is not the same as renunciation. For example, in my home state of Queensland I am 'His Honour Joseph Bloggs, J.P.'; however when I have been a resident of other jurisdictions I am merely 'Mr. Joe Bloggs'. I no longer use the title, but I have not renounced it.

 

[Muhler]

You fail to see the point, Nudge.

Phillip gave up the use of his Greek and Danish titles. The Greek ex-royals didn't.
Apart from that there is also a considerable difference between Greek relatives who are the children and husband of the sister of the Danish Monarch, and Phillip who a distant relative of the Danish Monarch.

I asked the Danish royalty expert Jon Bloch Skipper some time back (his reply is mentioned in this thread) that Phillip gave up his Danish titles upon marrying QEII.
You can't come back some 65 years later and say you changed your mind.

It's akin to this example: Let's say there is a Prince of Scotland title in the BRF and has been for 200 years, inherited from father to son. Say it's Prince Edward.
Okay, Scotland opts to be independent and QMII is no longer the Scottish monarch. Fine, out of respect of the Scottish decision Edward stops using his title as Prince of Scotland.
25 years later he changes his mind and want's to call himself Prince of Scotland again, because he never really signed a paper and it's sort of blurry and many explanations...
How do you think the Scottish would react? - "Prince who?!? We've been a republic for 25 years and have every intention of remaining so"!
Unless that title is acknowledged by Scotland, Edward can shout: "I'm Prince of Scotland" until his face turns blue, it won't make a difference.

 

[Nudge]

Here is the smoking gun.
HO 45/15677

With reference to the application of .........
for the grant of a certificate of naturalization, I am directed by the Secretary of State to say that he thinks it right to point out that,

[With reference to your letter of the ........., I am directed by the Secretary of State to say that it is open to ............to apply for the grant of a certificate of naturalization in accordance with the enclosed instructions.

The Secretary of State thinks it right to point out that,]

if your client becomes a British subject, his (her) foreign title will not receive official recognition in this country and that in accordance with the established practice it will be omitted from the certificate, if granted. I am to request that [, if an application is lodged,] your client, or you on his (her) behalf, will specifically acknowledge his (her) acceptance of this position.

This explains everything. Philip did not have to renounce his titles. Assuming he was subject to the same procedure as any other titled foreigner, he was merely informed that his titles had no official recognition in the UK, and had to specifically acknowledge that he accepted that lack of official recognition.

That is neither renunciation nor abandonment. Indeed, his titles remained intact outside the UK. as it turned out, 10 years later it was found that he was in fact already a British subject, so his naturalization was irrelevant, as was any acknowledgement he made as part of that.

 

[Nudge]

HRH Prince Philip of Greece, the United Kingdom of Great Britain & Northern Ireland, & Denmark, Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth, Baron Greenwich - a short bio.

10 June 1921 - HRH Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark is born on the Greek island of Corfu to HRH Princess Andrew of Greece and Denmark (formerly Princess Alice of Battenberg). He is a nephew of HM King Constantine of Greece, and is 7th in line to the Greek throne. Through his mother, Prince Philip is a great-great-grandchild of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom, and therefore a descendant of Princess Sophia, Electress of Hanover. His father is HRH Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark. As a Greek prince, Philip is styled as His Royal Highness; this takes precedence over his style of His Highness as a Prince of Denmark. In Denmark only children of the Sovereign and children of the heir apparent are styled HRH; Philip is neither. However, his is 15th in line to the Danish throne.

4 December 1922 Prince Andrew and his family are banished from Greece, and are evacuated by the British cruiser HMS Calypso. The family became dispersed, with Prince Philip's father in France, mother in Switzerland, and elder sisters in Germany. Prince Philip is brought up in Britain by his Battenberg relatives, who have adopted the surname Mountbatten.

27 July 1932 King George V revokes the Royal Warrants that had allowed the use of foreign dignitaries and titles by British subjects.

16 July 1942 Prince Philip is commissioned as a Lieutenant in the Royal Navy .

28 February 1947 It is noted in the London Gazette that Prince Philip is naturalized as a British subject; as is standard procedure for the naturalization of a title foreigner, he is by law informed that his foreign title will not receive official recognition, and is asked specifically to acknowledge his acceptance of this. He therefore becomes within the United Kingdom a commoner, namely Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten R.N., taking his adoptive family's surname.

9 July 1947 The engagement of Lieutenant Mountbatten and HRH The Princess Elizabeth is announced with Royal consent.

19 November 1947 Lieutenant Mountbatten is created a Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter by King George VI and granted the style His Royal Highness. He is therefore within the United Kingdom now HRH Sir Philip Mountbatten, K.G.

20 November 1947 Sir Philip is made the Duke of Edinburgh, before marrying Princess Elizabeth that same day; he is now HRH The Duke of Edinburgh. He is also granted some lesser British titles; Earl of Merioneth & Baron Greenwich. This being an Anglican marriage, he is no longer Greek Orthodox and is therefore excluded from the Hellenic succession.

19 December 1947 As there is some confusion as to the fact that the Duke of Edinburgh is styled His Royal Highness but lacks the royal dignity of Prince, the Garter Principal King of Arms sends a letter to the Lord Chancellor's office stating that "There is I think a general idea that the Duke by virtue of his H.R.H. has become a Prince of the United Kingdom, but in fact I believe he remains a Prince of Greece and Denmark though naturalized here."

27 March 1953 The Danish Act of Succession restricts heirs to descendants of King Christian X, removing the Duke of Edinburgh from the line of succession.

5 December 1956 An Appellate Committee of the House of Lords passes judgement that the Sophia Naturalization Act 1705 grants British nationality to all descendants of Princess Sophia, Electress of Hanover; this affects over 400 people across Europe, including members of every Royal House bar one. The successful applicant is HRH Prince Ernest Augustus of Hanover. The Duke of Edinburgh is one of those affected; his previous naturalization is moot, as he was from birth already a British subject, and he is entitled to all his royal titles in their relevant jurisdictions.

8 December 1974 After returning to democracy, Greece votes to abolish the monarchy and become a republic, confirming the results of previously illegal referenda that had been organized by the military junta that overthrew the monarchy in December 1967.

12 October 2001 in the Danish Folketing confirms that descendants of King George I of Greece (grandfather of the Duke of Edinburgh) are titled Prince of Greece and Denmark, and as they are descendants of King Christian IX of Denmark they are eligible for Danish passports.

Conclusion

Prince Philip has been from birth entitled:
HRH Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark; being
HRH Prince Philip of Greece, and
HH Prince Philip of Denmark

However, these titles have had no official recognition within the United Kingdom since 27 April 1932. The Greek monarchy was abolished by referendum on 8 December 1974, so Greek royals are only acknowledged in Greece by their lesser Danish titles, which remain valid. Since his marriage he has also been entitled to the following titles, the only ones with which he has recognition in the United Kingdom:

HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth, Baron Greenwich

 

[Muhler]

Well, according to your logic, Phillip is still Prince of Greece, which the Greeks probably won't agree with...

But, would you please explain why Phillip has never been referred to officially, or unofficially for that matter, as Prince of Denmark in Denmark since his mariage to QEII?
He is not even listed anywhere in Denmark as Prince of Denmark.

And if his foreign titles, in accordance with British legislation, are not acknowledged if he is a British citizen, then he can't use them anyway.
You just created a Catch 22.
As you yourself pointed out on 28 February 1947 he became a British subject, subject to British law and costums. Why should Denmark and Greece continue to style a foreign citizen, who in his new homeland is now known as Lieutenant Mountbatten, as prince?

Apart from that, don't you think it would more than plausible the Phillip prior to marrying QEII went to the Danish and Greek monarchs and explained the situation? British citizen, no acknowledgement of foreign titles, won't be using the title again and is that a problem? Probably not I'd say. Merely a formailty as this situation must have occured before.

It still boils down to this: If you don't use a title, you lose it.

This is a fine intellectual discussion but on a realistic level this seems puzzling to me. Akin to discussing how many angels can stand on a pinhead.
Phillip will not be prince of neither Denmark nor Greece again. That's out, in the past. Gone.
British costums and legislation does not trumph costums and legislation in neither Greece nor Denmark.

 

[Nudge]

What I have established is that contrary to popular belief, on the evidence currently available to us, Philip's Danish and Greek titles were not renounced by his superfluous naturalization in 1947, and the Garter King of Arms was correct in his opinion that:

he remains a Prince of Greece and Denmark

.

What is in question is this: Have there been any legislative events that occurred in Denmark since 1947 that specifically deprived Philip of his princely Danish & Greek titles?

Alternatively, is there established in Danish customs and tradition a precedent by which royal titles are deprived simply by their lack of use? If so, what is the precedent?

 

[Nudge]

I agree that Prince Philip would not need to resort to his Danish/Greek princely title again. After all, he is 92, and all 16 Commonwealth Realms are not likely to become republics in his lifetime.

He doesn't use the titles to because he doesn't need to. He is the consort of the world most powerful royal, Queen Elizabeth II, who exercises sovereignty over 16 Commonwealth Realms, and a benign suzerainty over 37 other states as Head of the Commonwealth.

As the consort of the sovereign of 134 million subjects, and the suzerain of 2.1 billion others, what does being an obscure prince to a relatively few Danes matter?

It would be interesting to know if Prince Philip traveled in a private capacity outside British jurisdiction in 1947 after his naturalization but prior to his wedding. If so, was it as Lieutenant Mountbatten, or as HRH Prince Philip of Denmark and Greece?

 

[Muhler]

What I have established is that contrary to popular belief, on the evidence currently available to us, Philip's Danish and Greek titles were not renounced by his superfluous naturalization in 1947, and the Garter King of Arms was correct in his opinion that: .

And I refer to the Danish royal expert, Jon Bloch Skipper, whose reply you can read here. What the Garter at Arms say may apply to Britain but not Denmark and Greece.

http://www.theroyalforums.com/forum...ek-and-danish-titles-28085-3.html#post1503971

What is in question is this: Have there been any legislative events that occurred in Denmark since 1947 that specifically deprived Philip of his princely Danish & Greek titles?

Not that I know of. Wouldn't be necessary anyway because:
A: Phillip had already renounced his title.
B: The Danish Constitution states clearly that it is the Monarch who decides who should be granted or stripped of titles. - The Parliament need not legislate on the matter and the government can only advise.
(Phillip is not covered by the Danish Law of Succession, since he is not a Danish citizen and he was only Prince of Denmark anyway).
QMII can in theory strip all members of the DRF of their royal status tomorrow should she wish to. With the sole exeption of the Crown Prince, his status cannot be changed. - British legislation or not, it's the Danish Monarch who has the final word.

Alternatively, is there established in Danish customs and tradition a precedent by which royal titles are deprived simply by their lack of use? If so, what is the precedent?

That I can't answer off hand. I can however refer to Queen Alexandra who was in a similar situation as Phillip.

Now, you asked me a couple of questions, now I'll ask you a couple of questions.

A) Do you honestly believe Phillip is still Prince of the republic of Greece? If so, how can you be prince of a republic?

B) Do you believe Phillip is still Prince of Denmark?

C) If so by what right? Through his Greek line? But there is no longer a Greek royal family. They have been abolished along with their titles. At least in regards to the Greeks and that's what matters, doesn't it?

D) Through his Danish line? That's up to Queen Margrethe to decide. The Constitution says so. What makes you think she (or for that matter the Danes) will accept a British citizen in the DRF with all that entails? After 65 years.

 

[Nudge]

Jon Bloch Skipper's statement, without the evidence to back it up, is merely opinion. Where is the actual evidence that Philip renounced his title? I cannot find any that does not fall into the category of hearsay. Having said that, I am so willing to stand corrected should the evidence be forthcoming. I understand you know the gentleman, and would be very interested to hear his opinion, given what I have uncovered about the naturalization process as I have mentioned previously.

Agreed that Philip is not covered by the Danish Law of Succession, He is merely an agnate, not a dynast. However, that is due to him not being a descendant of Christian X, not his citizenship. Before the law changed on 27 March 1953, he was in the line of succession. While not a Danish citizen, As a descendant of King Christian IX, Philip is certainly entitled to a Danish passport should he request one.

When British monarchs strip people of their titles, as has happened in the past, there is documentary evidence. One would assume the same with the Danish monarchy.

I will have a look at the Queen Alexandra situation and get back to you. Thanks for alerting me to that potential precedent.

To answer your questions to me.

A) Prince Philip's title as a Prince of Greece ceased to be substantive on 8 December 1974, however, like other members of the Greek Royal Family, it remains as a Danish courtesy title. Note that the Danish Minister for Justice styled the former Greek king as HM King Constantine II in his reply to the Folketing in 2001.

B) Without clear evidence that Prince Philip either actually renounced his title, or was deprived of it, I can only conclude that he is still a Prince of Denmark.

C) By right of his royal descent:
1. HM King Christian IX of Denmark
2. HM King George I of Greece
3. HRH Prince Andrew of Greece & Denmark
4. HRH Prince Philip of Greece & Denmark

D) Yes, as above. Again as a descendant of King Christian IX, he is entitled to a Danish passport, should he request one.

 

[Muhler]

Jon Bloch Skipper's statement, without the evidence to back it up, is merely opinion. Where is the actual evidence that Philip renounced his title? I cannot find any that does not fall into the category of hearsay. Having said that, I am so willing to stand corrected should the evidence be forthcoming. I understand you know the gentleman, and would be very interested to hear his opinion, given what I have uncovered about the naturalization process as I have mentioned previously.

I guess a third party will have to write the Danish court and ask and publish the reply here.

Agreed that Philip is not covered by the Danish Law of Succession, He is merely an agnate, not a dynast. However, that is due to him not being a descendant of Christian X, not his citizenship. Before the law changed on 27 March 1953, he was in the line of succession. While not a Danish citizen, As a descendant of King Christian IX, Philip is certainly entitled to a Danish passport should he request one.

Unless he renounced his title. As a British citizen he is not entitled to a Danish passport. DK does not yet recognise dual citizenship. He can only get such a diplomatic passport if he is considered a member of the DRF and he is not listed anywhere as such.

When British monarchs strip people of their titles, as has happened in the past, there is documentary evidence. One would assume the same with the Danish monarchy.

Presumably. I'll refer to the Danish court or more correctly Rigsarkivet (the National Archive).

I will have a look at the Queen Alexandra situation and get back to you. Thanks for alerting me to that potential precedent.

To answer your questions to me.

A) Prince Philip's title as a Prince of Greece ceased to be substantive on 8 December 1974, however, like other members of the Greek Royal Family, it remains as a Danish courtesy title. Note that the Danish Minister for Justice styled the former Greek king as HM King Constantine II in his reply to the Folketing in 2001.

Correct, because the stance of the DRF (in particular QMII) is: once a Majesty always a Majesty. It's not a right and it's not acknowledged in Greece. - So no Prince of the republic of Greece.

B) Without clear evidence that Prince Philip either actually renounced his title, or was deprived of it, I can only conclude that he is still a Prince of Denmark.

C) By right of his royal descent:
1. HM King Christian IX of Denmark
2. HM King George I of Greece
3. HRH Prince Andrew of Greece & Denmark
4. HRH Prince Philip of Greece & Denmark

Only if he did not renounce his title and only if the Danish Monarch says so. You are free to renounce any titles you want, but you do not have a right to a royal title in DK. That's for Her Majesty to decide.

D) Yes, as above. Again as a descendant of King Christian IX, he is entitled to a Danish passport, should he request one.

No, only if you are a Danish citizen. A diplomatic passport however is a priviledge, not a right. They are issued by the Foreign Ministry rather than through the Ministry of Justice.
Granting diplomatic passports to the Greek royals were shall we say stretching things a bit, and basically only because Her Majesty wished so.

 

[Nudge]

I am not suggesting dual citizenship, I am merely saying he has a right to a Danish passport, in the unlikely event he finds himself stateless, as Constantine II did.

The whole point is that as in the absence of clear evidence before us to show that Philip renounced his Greek/Danish titles, or any evidence that these titles have ever been revoked, we must conclude that he remains substantively a Prince of Denmark, with the courtesy title of Prince of Greece, despite the fact that he does not use these titles.

 

[Muhler]

Indeed, Nudge, indeed.
This is very much a theoretical discussion as that eventuallity occuring is virtually nil.

But we can at least agree on disagreening, eh?