Death and Funeral of Prince Michael of Greece: July 28 & August 1, 2024

[Linda_26]

I'm a bit confused. Reports say that he is the last surviving great-grandchild of Christian X. Well, if he's a first cousin to the late King Constantine, wouldn't the last survivors be Queen Sofia and Princess Irene or do I have the generations mixed up?

He was the last surviving great-grandchild of King Christian IX (not Christian X). He was a first cousin of King Paul, Sofia and Irene's father (who are therefore his great-great-granddaughters).

Christian IX-King George I-Prince Christopher-Prince Michael
Christian IX-King George I-King Constantine I-King Paul-Queen Sofia (and sibilings).

As JR76 pointed out earlier in the thread, the last two surviving great-grandchildren of King Christian IX both died this month. After Christian Castenskiold's death (he was a son of Princess Dagmar of Denmark), the oldest surviving descendant of Christian IX should now be Princess Astrid of Norway, born in 1932 (at least according to Wikipedia, which I think is correct here)

 

[Hans-Rickard]

As JR76 pointed out earlier in the thread, the last two surviving great-grandchildren of King Christian IX both died this month. After Christian Castenskiold's death (he was a son of Princess Dagmar of Denmark), the oldest surviving descendant of Christian IX should now be Princess Astrid of Norway, born in 1932 (at least according to Wikipedia, which I think is correct here)

That sounds likely… They are not many left now in that generation

 

[Toledo]

I can't remember where, but I know I have one of his royal history books in our collection.

Prince Michael on his book's translation for Hungarian readers

The interview in English:

 

[kalnel]

The funeral service of Prince Michael will be held on Thursday, August 1, 2024 at the Holy Church of Saints Theodoros of the First Cemetery of Athens at 12:00 pm. Burial will follow at Tatoiou Cemetery.

In lieu of a wreath, the family prefers a donation to the ELIZA Society Against Child Abuse.

Office of the former Royal Family of Greece –

29.7.2024

Ανακοίνωση Κηδείας του Πρίγκιπα Μιχαήλ

www.greekroyalfamily.gr

I'm surprised Pavlos and MC haven't made any comment on their social media. In fact, I didn't see a tribute from any of Constantine's family.

 

[Adda]

I'm surprised Pavlos and MC haven't made any comment on their social media. In fact, I didn't see a tribute from any of Constantine's family.

Pavlos and MC didn't make any comment on social media right away when Konstantinos passed away either. It took them two weeks.

Most likely they don't want to take the spotlight away from Marina, Alexandra and Olga. The statement on the family website obviously took longer to be published as Pavlos and co were probably waiting for instructions from Michael's widow and daughters.

 

[An Ard Ri]

Were Prince Michael and his family at the funeral of King Constantine's ?

 

[Stefan]

Were Prince Michael and his family at the funeral of King Constantine's ?

Prince Michael and his wife were. Not sure about his daughters.

 

[An Ard Ri]

Prince Michael and his wife were. Not sure about his daughters.

I vaguely recall seeing Prince Michael but wasn't sure about the others.

 

[maria-olivia]

Due to his morganatic Wedding , he had to renounce to the Throne of Greece , his Wedding was a happy one. He was free to do what he wantred during his whole life. As writer he did not want to change his tittle which he was proud off.
I am looking forward the Funerals. I still have at home letters that the late Prince wrote me .

 

[fandesacs2003]

Were Prince Michael and his family at the funeral of King Constantine's ?

Prince Michel, Princess Marina, Pcs Alexandra and her sons.
I think Pcs Olga was not

 

[An Ard Ri]

Prince Michel, Princess Marina, Pcs Alexandra and her sons.
I think Pcs Olga was not

Both of his parents are buried at the Tatoi Royal Cemetery?

 

[Blog Real]

Both of his parents are buried at the Tatoi Royal Cemetery?

Yes, Prince Michael's parents are buried in the Tatoi Royal Cemetery.

 

[Prisma]

Sad news. May he rest in peace. Condolences to his family and friends.

 

[Hans-Rickard]

Here is a picture of the tomb of Prince Michel’s parents Prince Christopher and Princess Françoise.

File:Tomb of Prince Christopher (left) and Princess Françoise (right) - Tatoi Royal Cemetery on 2023-05-29 (DSC 01773).jpg - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

And here is a great overview of all the royals buried at the Tatoi Royal Cemetery.

Greek Royal Burial Sites

by Scott Mehl © Unofficial Royalty 2012 In 1832, the Convention of London established Greece as a kingdom, and the Great Powers appointed 17-year-old Prince Otto of Bavaria, the second son of King …

www.unofficialroyalty.com

 

[Stefan]

And here is a great overview of all the royals buried at the Tatoi Royal Cemetery.

Greek Royal Burial Sites

by Scott Mehl © Unofficial Royalty 2012 In 1832, the Convention of London established Greece as a kingdom, and the Great Powers appointed 17-year-old Prince Otto of Bavaria, the second son of King …

www.unofficialroyalty.com

Everyone is buried there with the exception of Princess Alice and the Princesses who married abroad

 

[maria-olivia]

Prince Michel will be buried next to his Father Prince Christopher (1940) and his mother Princess Françoise d' Orleans (1953).

 

[Lady Daly]

I do find it peculiar that Pavlos being head of the Greek Royal Family since the passing of King Constantine has not sent condolences regarding the death of Prince Michael. Perhaps there has been a private phone call to his wife or one of the daughters. It will be interesting if Pavlos, MC and family attend Prince Michael's funeral services and/or burial on August 1.

I was saddened to hear of Prince Michael's passing. He lead a full and long life. He was an amazing person.

 

[doro]

Will Queens Sofia and Anne-Marie and the Corwn Princely Couple attend?

 

[Hans-Rickard]

Will Queens Sofia and Anne-Marie and the Corwn Princely Couple attend?

I would be very surprised if none of them did…. But we will have to wait and see… The Church of Saint Theodores at the First Cemetery is not very big so i don’t expect anything near the level of Constantine’s funeral…

But i would be very surprised if Constantine’s side of the Greek RF is not represented

 

[Marengo]

I would expect at least Queen Anne-Marie there, perhaps escorted by one of her children. But there will likely be more. Queen Sofia is always very close to the various branches of her Greek family.

 

[fandesacs2003]

Will Queens Sofia and Anne-Marie and the Corwn Princely Couple attend?

I read that Queen Sofia stopped her holidays in Spain to travel to Athens for the funeral. I'm not surprised, in an interview Pc Michel said once that the member of the Greek royal family he is closer to, is Queen Sofia. Maybe Pcs Irene will travel also.
Queen Anne-Marie should assist also IMO.
Pcs Michel was very affected in the funeral of King Konstantine, we should not forget that after an age he graw up with them and said many times he was treated like a brother.

 

[Marengo]

Didn't he grow up with his maternal family in France, and before that in Spain and Morocco? I thought he only went to Greece when it was time for him to pursue military service.

 

[An Ard Ri]

I'd be very surprised not to see Queen Sofia at the Funeral.

 

[fandesacs2003]

Didn't he grow up with his maternal family in France, and before that in Spain and Morocco? I thought he only went to Greece when it was time for him to pursue military service.

Yes exactly. I know that technically is not... growing up.. but he was fully included.
I remember he said : Queen Federica said to her children: he is your brother now, you treat him as.
He was very touched.
In King Konstantine funeral he was very affected.

 

[lula]

According to the Spanish press, Queen Sofia and her sister Irene will attend the funeral tomorrow.

 

[Marengo]

Yes exactly. I know that technically is not... growing up.. but he was fully included.
I remember he said : Queen Federica said to her children: he is your brother now, you treat him as.
He was very touched.
In King Konstantine funeral he was very affected.

Thanks for that, I didn´t know that about Queen Frederica. It seems perhaps that both sides of the family were protective of him, after losing both his parents at a young age. Itw as a pity for him that the late count of Paris was in charge of his business affairs as the late count had little talent for it and had lost a lot. The prince didn´t seem bitter about it at all though.

Vincent Meylan shared a wonderful wedding photo of the prince and his closest relatives, including the Savoy cousins.

Vincent Meylan on Instagram: "Should you post about someone that you knew and who has just died ? This is a question I ask myself frequently ! Today, and only about #princemichaelofgreece I think I have the answer : yes, but only if you make it funny

502 likes, 13 comments - vincentmeylan on July 28, 2024: "Should you post about someone that you knew and who has just died ? This is a question I ask myself frequently ! Today, and only about #princemichaelofgreece I think I have the answer : yes, but only if you make it funny. Just found this...

www.instagram.com

I remember he wrote an article about his ´aunt Bebelle´(the late Css of Paris) and it was rather affectionate. Sadly I can not find the article anymore.

 

[Moonmaiden23]

Yes, Prince Michael's parents are buried in the Tatoi Royal Cemetery.

Princesse Francoise died relatively young, very early 50's I believe? Was she in an accident or was she ill?
It's sad that Prince Michael had lost both parents by the age of 14 years old.

 

[Marengo]

I can´t find anything about it TBH. According to the French wikipedia page she ´withdrew into herself´ the last years of her life and developped ´a sort of depression´. The source seems to be Prince Michel´s book ´Mémoires insolites´ from 2004. Her physical health declined in this period too.

Françoise d'Orléans (1902-1953) — Wikipédia

fr.wikipedia.org

 

[maria-olivia]

Prince Michel wanted that the memories of his Father were published as a book : Prince Christophe de Grece, Ma famille coté Cours. He was only one year old when his Father passed away but his Mother , Grand Mother Olga and the family told him such about his father , who never had as his Brothers an Official life at the Court of Greece , that he wanted his Father being better known and also all the wrong that was told at that time. His Father had a happy and free life !

 

[Adda]

"It is with deep emotion and respect that we bid farewell today to Prince Michael of Greece, the distinguished historian and author "Michel de Grèce". Michael of Greece and Denmark fully embodied the motto 'Noblesse oblige', seeing the hereditary title as a great duty of humility. And diligence. Not only in literature, where he received international support, but also in philanthropy. Philanthropy was one of Prince Michel's top priorities. A man open to the world, with a place in his heart for everyone. His contribution to Greek society was also important, as in 2008 he and his wife Marina Karella founded the NGO "ELIZA" @eliza_society against child abuse. As part of their charitable work, they founded the first Treatment and Rehabilitation Home for abused and neglected preschool children in Greece, in collaboration with the SOS Children's Villages @sosvillagesgr, where infants, toddlers and young children found shelter. A few years later, they started the VIMA programme to support young families with financial problems and established the 1st Child Abuse Recognition Unit at the Children's Hospital. In cooperation with foreign universities, they also implemented training seminars on the recognition of abuse for doctors, judges and teachers.Prince Michael's memory will be kept alive by Marina and his daughters, Alexandra and Olga, and by those who knew him best - as a thoughtful, philanthropic man who never sought the spotlight. May his soul rest in peace"

Andreas Megos on Instagram: "It is with deep emotion and respect that we bid farewell today to Prince Michael of Greece, the distinguished historian and author "Michel de Grèce". Michael of Greece and Denmark fully embodied the motto 'Noblesse oblige

659 likes, 18 comments - andreas_megos on July 31, 2024: "It is with deep emotion and respect that we bid farewell today to Prince Michael of Greece, the distinguished historian and author "Michel de Grèce". Michael of Greece and Denmark fully embodied the motto 'Noblesse oblige', seeing the...

www.instagram.com