Princess Irene (1942-), sister of King Constantine

[Isabel]

I am also wondering what jewelry Irene has left. As the years have gone by, she had certainly stopped wearing much jewelry. I only see here wearing the basics. Maybe she even sold whatever was in her possession to help with her finances. I am not sure of what her personal situation was after the family left Greece. I remember the photos of her when she was a young Princess and the pieces that she wore often. I don't recall seeing them on any other member of the family, so they may have been sold or HRH may have decided to leave them as inheritance to other members of her family.

I am going to check Danjel's site and see if I can find out anything about some of her jewelry.

I found this link with Princess Irene wearing a dimaond necklace tiara. There isnt' that much in the way of other jewels.

Here's a link: http://nl.msnusers.com/RoyaltyDanjel...necklacew.msnw

As you can see, it states the curren whereabouts are unknown. I think this is the case for many of the GRF's jewels with the exception of those that are still worn by Queen Anne-Marie. My guess would be that most of those that appear to be "missing" have been sold.

[rere]

Thanks!
That's one gorgeous diamond necklace tiara.
Hope to find more!

[Alexandra]

Originally Posted by Genevieve

While some people are happier being married, not everybody is. And some married people are quite sad because they are married.

The marriage doesn't suit everyone! I never was married, and very happy of it. When I (have to) listen to the endless problems of my married friends I can just congratulate myself for the choice I have made. The problems their children and grandchildren cause to them ... I am very, very happy for not to have to solve the difficulties and bear the sorrows they cause to their parents.
I am always for the freedom for all women!

[Sean.~]

Originally Posted by Pandalover

Irene's late bf was some kind of exiled Greek military attache who lived in London for many years IIRC. He passed away several years ago.

Irene has always been independent in lifestyle and belief. For many years she has studied eastern religion and mysticism, the same interest her mother Frederica had. She is known privately to be affiliated with the Ramakrishna, a religous organization/sect, and has a home she spends a lot of time at in eastern India. Sophie and other family members have often gone to visit her there. I believe she's a vegetarian as well, according to someone I know who's met and eaten with her.

For those interested Ramakrishna is not a "cult" as it sounds to our ears but a genuinely respected sect in India that follows the teachings of Sri Ramakrishna, a 19th century mystic guru. There are several spiritual centers in the US.

Hi Pandalover (love your screen name, btw),

I've never heard of the "Ramakrishna's" (although that doesn't necessarily mean anything). Are you perhaps referring to the RadhaKrishna's (they're not really a sect per se), or the Hare Rama Hare Krishnas (who are definitely a well known cultish kind of group)? I'm just more curious than anything. The Former (RadhaKrishna's) are quite respected, and hence tmy curiosity.

Originally Posted by Pandalover

Irene's late bf was some kind of exiled Greek military attache who lived in London for many years IIRC. He passed away several years ago.

To the best of my knowledge the alleged individual was was also married. Perhaps that's why *they* never married, or why the relationship was never 'publicized'. There could, of course, be a myriad of reasons.

TC.

[Doulton]

A long time ago I read that HRH Princess Irene is a very accomplished classical pianist. Does anyone know if my memory is accurate? Even better, I would love to hear some more information about her.

Thank you

[Pandalover]

Originally Posted by Sean.~

Hi Pandalover (love your screen name, btw),

I've never heard of the "Ramakrishna's" (although that doesn't necessarily mean anything). Are you perhaps referring to the RadhaKrishna's (they're not really a sect per se), or the Hare Rama Hare Krishnas (who are definitely a well known cultish kind of group)? I'm just more curious than anything. The Former (RadhaKrishna's) are quite respected, and hence tmy curiosity.

Sean - sorry for my delay in replying to your query. I recently spoke to my friend/source who has knowledege of Princess Irene's spiritual interests - it was in fact the Ramakrishna sect in Chennai in Madras that she was affiliated with for several years. There are so many sects it's hard to keep track. She spent much time there up until Queen Frederika died, not so much since although she does visit occasionally. She spends much of her time in Madrid nowadays. Both she and her mother were deeply intrigued with eastern mysticism and religion, pursuits that Irene has continued with.

A funny related story - said friend was in Madras himself in the early 80's, was in one of the larger department stores there when he spies someone he recognizes as one of the bodyguards for the Spanish royal family. Lo and behold who else was there but Irene, Sofia, and Anne Marie! Shopping for furniture no less. He is acquainted with both I and S from Madrid, and they were equally surprised to encounter him there as well. The globe is indeed small, esp. for the globe-trotting royals.

[Sean.~]

Originally Posted by Pandalover

Sean - sorry for my delay in replying to your query. I recently spoke to my friend/source who has knowledege of Princess Irene's spiritual interests - it was in fact the Ramakrishna sect in Chennai in Madras that she was affiliated with for several years. There are so many sects it's hard to keep track. She spent much time there up until Queen Frederika died, not so much since although she does visit occasionally. She spends much of her time in Madrid nowadays. Both she and her mother were deeply intrigued with eastern mysticism and religion, pursuits that Irene has continued with.

A funny related story - said friend was in Madras himself in the early 80's, was in one of the larger department stores there when he spies someone he recognizes as one of the bodyguards for the Spanish royal family. Lo and behold who else was there but Irene, Sofia, and Anne Marie! Shopping for furniture no less. He is acquainted with both I and S from Madrid, and they were equally surprised to encounter him there as well. The globe is indeed small, esp. for the globe-trotting royals.

No problem regading the delay. I've only been checking the board periodically due to a busy schedule. I was aware of Frederika's involvement with Eastern mysticism, but didn't think Irene was that involved. Anyway, IIRC, one of Her Hanover nephews was also heavily involved in Indian mysticism. His
daughter Saskia of Hanover (grand-niece of Prince Philip) now lives in GB.

Thanks for the anecdote! The globe is indeed a small place. I oft run in into people in the most unlikely places (often much to my chagrin...hehehehe).

:))

[hania]

as a hindu,i know of the ramakrishna movement,it is an extremely wonderful group of people, they practice the teaching of Guru ramakrishna and are vegetarian.they are a lot of them all over the world esp in South Africa and India.they also very passive people.

[cuervo]

How the followers of this movement look like??

I' ve seen some people with bold head jumpimg on the pavement singing "Hareh Crishna".....Do they look like them???

[Sean.~]

Originally Posted by cuervo

How the followers of this movement look like??

I' ve seen some people with bold head jumpimg on the pavement singing "Hareh Crishna".....Do they look like them???

I believe the Hare Krishnas are another sect. They are, IIRC, primarily Western based.

[rchainho]

I saw in one website that she wrote some books about indian essay about a movement where she had a study with a famous PHd professor.

A lovely pic of her. :)

[marezdote]

Does anyone know where she lives and/or have a picture of her house?

[ellinotati]

Irene was in Greece this easter with the rest of G.R.F

[rchainho]

http://www.angelfire.com/in3/theodor...oomington.html

[*SofiaM*]

Apparently Irene is currently in Mallorca with Juan Carlos and Sofia... but I can't see her on any of the photos. Unless of course I'm going blind. Do you know if there are any pictures of her from Mallorca?
thanks!
Sofia

[dakodas]

Irene is such a lovely name. It means "peace". There was a Princess Irene of Hesse as well.

[fanletizia]

Cayetana cleared the fiancè to the sister of Reina Sofía

The book of memories of Antonio the Bailarin told the Duchess of Alba, Cayetana, put its eyes in Jesus Aguirre to annoy to Irene of Greece: "This gentleman (Jesus Aguirre) seems to be that he walked behind the sister of Reina, the pianista, Irene. Cayetana knows the importance that it has and the force that can have dice in a while. One was interested in this gentleman for that reason, because he was interested in Irene of Greece ".

http://www.elsemanaldigital.com/arts/50214.asp

[Lady Bluffton]

I've seen photos of Irene with really deep scars in her face. Can anyone tell me where these scars came from? Acne, disease, what? Or am I imagining things?

[iannis]

Some quotes taken from an interview of Princess Irene's at the "Bimagazino" magazine some years ago, which has interviewed King Constantine as well, and can answer some of the questions set in this thread:

"Who would want to marry a crazy woman like me who runs here and there?"

"Our parents used to remind us (her and her siblings) that we are not something really important"

"Why should I regret not having children? The children of the whole world are my children"

Amazing person, isn't she?

[Jaya]

Princess Irene, I heard has a vast house or
apartment in Madras, India and has done enormous
amounts of philanthropic work there. She strikes me as a sensible lady, a lady of practicality and one with a vision of the bigger picture; the greater scheme of things.
It is not sad that she does not have children because of the
three siblings of Queen Frederika and King Pavlos
perhaps Irene was the only one to know
the"absolute" love of her mother and father.having known that love would make her overflowing and not ambitious to have her own children necessarily.
Princess Irene always appears happy and healthy and that suffices for me.

Originally Posted by elenaris

I'd justi like to know why Princess Irene of Greece ( Constantine and Sodia'as sister) never got Married??
E.

Put yourself in the position of Princess Irene.
Getting married is like trying to win the lottery, especially if you are a Princess. I think she has been smart in never marrying although there have been rumours at various times to the contrary.Princess Irene is committed to philanthropic works etc I believe.Probably she never met the "one" that she was certain of. I think the Princess is very shrewd that way.
My wish is that Princesss Irene would write a book and tell
us what happened from her standpoint in her eventful and meritorious life.

Originally Posted by Lady Bluffton

I've seen photos of Irene with really deep scars in her face. Can anyone tell me where these scars came from? Acne, disease, what? Or am I imagining things?

I think the camera is picking up deep sun lines which get exaggerated photogenically.
Princess Irene does not look like she has had a face lift and has the courage to "own" her face. It tells a story. I love that about her.
She is an accomplished musician did you know that?