King Constantine (1940 - 2023)

[muriel]

That was of the seating Order which i found a bit strange, where the spouses had been separated. For example all of Constantin's children in the first row and their spouses behind them.

I think the principal mourners were put inthe front row: Anne-Marie, the children of Tino & Anne-Marie, and Tino's sisters, Sophia and Irene. The only spouse in the front row was Marie-Chantal.

 

[Minister of Court]

The seating arrangements were all over the place, as per usual with the British.

But all in all, what a great gathering! Lovely to see the Kents in full force, especially Princess Alexandra. The Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburgs were well-presented as were the Jordanians. Nice to see the old King of Spain there too.

Btw, does anyone know what’s the relationship between John Kerry and royals? He was at the Coronation and the Jordanian royal wedding, and now at the service for the King of the Hellenes.

 

[crm2317]

A very impressive turn out from the British royals! I even spied James Ogilvy in a photo. I had no idea that Constantine was so close to the family, I thought it was simply Prince Philip’s branch.

It’s a shame that the Prince of Wales missed the funeral and the memorial.

It’s also a shame that nobody from Queen Margrethe’s branch of the family attended! Surely someone could have gone?

 

[Blog Real]

Video:

Other video:

 

[classyjackie]

Why didn't they have this in Denmark or Spain?

 

[kalnel]

Why didn't they have this in Denmark or Spain?

I have the impression that this was held by the British family in Constantine's honor. He lived in England for many years, so he would have known most of these people very well (in addition to being their relative).

 

[Hans-Rickard]

A very impressive turn out from the British royals! I even spied James Ogilvy in a photo. I had no idea that Constantine was so close to the family, I thought it was simply Prince Philip’s branch.

It’s a shame that the Prince of Wales missed the funeral and the memorial.

It’s also a shame that nobody from Queen Margrethe’s branch of the family attended! Surely someone could have gone?

Constantine and Anne-Marie lived in London for 40 years and was close to all the british royals. They are closely related with the Kent’s too through Princess Marina.

King Frederik chaired a council meeting at Christiansborg today and was unavailable… No idea where Queen Margrethe was

 

[kalnel]

@Alisa It seems Lady Gabriella read instead of the POW.

I don't think so -- I just read that Gabriella's husband died yesterday.

 

[Adda]

I don't think so -- I just read that Gabriella's husband died yesterday.

He died on Sunday. But yeah, she definitely didn't read anything today. Shocked.

 

[Claire]

Very odd that Edward and Sophie didn't cancel their holiday to attend - I understand that the arrangements were made before the memorial but all things considered. However this decision was made with Charles, Kate and William were all attending as well.
I guess the decision to use St Georges was made as the emphasized was needed to be placed on this been a family memorial - not that of a King of Greece.

 

[JGio]

A huge gathering but I personally still don’t get it at all. I don’t see why so much attention is granted the late King Constantine that he needed several memorials and in different countries. The anniversary of HM Queen Elizabeth II was barely noticed and no huge gathering of royals was called by other monarchies or whatever. And her life was hugely significant to millions of people. And also don’t get why inviting again royals and nobles that attended the Funeral as well (Serbia, Noor, Baden, …). Is it a common thing to do?
And I find it even crazier now that we know that Thomas Kingston has passed away yesterday and Prince and Princess Michael of Kent there smiling and laughing. I just find it all weird to say the least. I liked King Constantine but sometimes I just don’t get it. Sometimes I just feel the Greeks like to show off and emphasize everything to a point I find it all tasteless.

 

[Hans-Rickard]

I guess the decision to use St Georges was made as the emphasized was needed to be placed on this been a family memorial - not that of a King of Greece.

And for practical reasons as it is Tuesday, and Windsor Castle is closed for the public on tuesdays and wednesdays… Hence no need for police escorts through London and no need to close any palace or church…

 

[Marengo]

The cathedral in Athens had a rather limited number of seats. I imagine they have this memorial to give other friends and relatives the opportunty to say their goodbyes too? As they lived in the UK for such a long time they must have gotten to know quite a few people there.

 

[Somebody]

Queen Sofia was no where to be seen with King Juan Carlos and sat with the Greek RF in the chapel.

It seemed a lovely touch to have Constantine's sisters sit with his wife and children on the front row (although I would have liked the children to be seated next to their spouses as well). In the end, Sofia was the one who knew him all her life and I don't think many other attendees could say the same.

While many member of the wider British royal family attended, the front row clearly shows that of the 'core members' only Camilla and Anne were present.

 

[maria-olivia]

They announced the death of lady Gabriella's Husband several hours after King Constantine Commemoration. On the group picture I saw Prince Michael conforting his wife.

 

[Young Duchess]

Well, imagine if all the Kents had pulled out at the last minute because of "personal reasons"...

Anyway, I don't care about Constantine. I was just happy to see Kyril, Prince of Preslav, there. He's my favourite!

 

[Mbruno]

A huge gathering but I personally still don’t get it at all. I don’t see why so much attention is granted the late King Constantine that he needed several memorials and in different countries. The anniversary of HM Queen Elizabeth II was barely noticed and no huge gathering of royals was called by other monarchies or whatever. And her life was hugely significant to millions of people. And also don’t get why inviting again royals and nobles that attended the Funeral as well (Serbia, Noor, Baden, …). Is it a common thing to do?
And I find it even crazier now that we know that Thomas Kingston has passed away yesterday and Prince and Princess Michael of Kent there smiling and laughing. I just find it all weird to say the least. I liked King Constantine but sometimes I just don’t get it. Sometimes I just feel the Greeks like to show off and emphasize everything to a point I find it all tasteless.

The service was an initiative of the British Royal Family, so how is that an example of the Greeks showing off?

 

[Benjamin]

Princess Tatiana Radziwill (daughter of Princess Eugénie of Greece) and her husband Dr. Jean Henri Fruchaud were present as was Archduchess Helen of Austria (daughter of Princess Elisabeth of Greece)

 

[tommy100]

I have read in a few places now that the service was actually put together by the Greek RF and that King Charles had simply offered the Greeks St George's as a chapel / venue for the memorial service.
I.E - the memorial was not the initiative of the BRF but was the wish of the Greek RF to honor Constantine's long years living in the UK in exile and it was designed and put together by them. So technically while the British RF attended they had been invited to do so by the Greeks - it just happened to be at their "family" church.

 

[An Ard Ri]

Anyway, I don't care about Constantine. I was just happy to see Kyril, Prince of Preslav, there. He's my favourite!

Thankfully he was there out of respect and that was a dreadful comment to make.

 

[maria-olivia]

Because King Charles and William Prince of Wales were not there , the Head of the Family was Prince Andrew , before Anne Princess Royal. He enterred the Church with his ex wife. Following the whole family (Zaza had to wait) and only then entered HM the King and the Queen of Spain.
Was there a special entrance for Princess Alexandra , the Duke of Kent , the devasted Prince and Princess Michael of Kent and for the King Juan Carlos ??.

 

[An Ard Ri]

I guess the decision to use St Georges was made as the emphasized was needed to be placed on this been a family memorial - not that of a King of Greece.

The funerals of Princess Marina,Princess Alice and Prince Philip also all took place here so there is a strong Greek family connection to the chapel.

There was another Memorial Service at the Greek Orthodox church in London.
PPE Agency

 

[Stefan]

I have read in a few places now that the service was actually put together by the Greek RF and that King Charles had simply offered the Greeks St George's as a chapel / venue for the memorial service.
I.E - the memorial was not the initiative of the BRF but was the wish of the Greek RF to honor Constantine's long years living in the UK in exile and it was designed and put together by them. So technically while the British RF attended they had been invited to do so by the Greeks - it just happened to be at their "family" church.

But why then an anglican Service and not an orthodox one, which was Constantine's Religion for his entire life

 

[An Ard Ri]

But why then an anglican Service and not an orthodox one, which was Constantine's Religion for his entire life

There was an Orthodox one today,see post above

 

[Young Duchess]

Thankfully he was there out of respect and that was a dreadful comment to make.

There are certain royal families, like the Thai, Japanese, Arab, Greek ones, that I'm not particularly interested in. This is what I meant.

What I find even more dreadful is the damage he inflicted upon the poor country during his short-lived reign. Only three and a half years... Imagine what would have happened if he had been King for 20 or 30 years. Greece would have become a third world country.

 

[Somebody]

Because King Charles and William Prince of Wales were not there , the Head of the Family was Prince Andrew , before Anne Princess Royal. He enterred the Church with his ex wife. Following the whole family (Zaza had to wait) and only then entered HM the King and the Queen of Spain.
Was there a special entrance for Princess Alexandra , the Duke of Kent , the devasted Prince and Princess Michael of Kent and for the King Juan Carlos ??.

Camilla was the leading family member, after her the princess royal and the duke of Gloucester (with spouses) were given precedence over Andrew.

 

[Adda]

Today's memorial at St. Sophia Cathedral

Andreas Megos on Instagram: "The Orthodox memorial service for the late King Constantine, organised by the Greek Royal Family, was held today at 11.00 a.m. (London time) at St Sophia Cathedral, presided over by the Archbishop of Thyateira and Great B

749 likes, 12 comments - andreas_megos on February 28, 2024: "The Orthodox memorial service for the late King Constantine, organised by the Greek Royal Family, was held today at 11.00 a.m. (London time) at St Sophia Cathedral, presided over by the Archbishop of Thyateira and Great Britain...

www.instagram.com

Report from ANT1 TV

Andreas Megos on Instagram: "Ρεπορτάζ του τηλεοπτικού σταθμού ΑΝΤ1 από την σημερινή επιμνημόσυνη δέηση που τελέστηκε για τον Βασιλιά Κωνσταντίνο στον Καθεδρικό Ναό της Αγίας Σοφίας στο Μπεισγουότερ του κεντρικού Λονδίνου. #kingofgreece #kingconstant

1,783 likes, 27 comments - andreas_megos on February 28, 2024: "Ρεπορτάζ του τηλεοπτικού σταθμού ΑΝΤ1 από την σημερινή επιμνημόσυνη δέηση που τελέστηκε για τον Βασιλιά Κωνσταντίνο στον Καθεδρικό Ναό της Αγίας Σοφίας στο Μπεισγουότερ του κεντρικού Λονδίνου. #kingofgreece #kingconstantine...

www.instagram.com

 

[Prinsara]

There are certain royal families, like the Thai, Japanese, Arab, Greek ones, that I'm not particularly interested in. This is what I meant.

What I find even more dreadful is the damage he inflicted upon the poor country during his short-lived reign. Only three and a half years... Imagine what would have happened if he had been King for 20 or 30 years. Greece would have become a third world country.

There's at least half-a-dozen other threads on Constantine and the GRF to express opinions about him. His memorial service isn't the most respectful place to keep "clarifying your opinion" and making these kind of comments.

 

[maria-olivia]

Camilla was the leading family member, after her the princess royal and the duke of Gloucester (with spouses) were given precedence over Andrew.

Outside , the Duke of York was before the Princess Royal . at the entrance the famlily was before the King and Queen of Spain who had to wait. I agree inside .

 

[IRIS1983]

photos of ortodox Memorial

https://scontent-mad2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/428496820_7620047124681172_4830128824137055691_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c42490&_nc_ohc=gksSqmm_f_QAX8XYruZ&_nc_ht=scontent-mad2-1.xx&oh=00_AfD4o7ZsFqsjO8vpL3_UmmTGTrpUEThPrcHo8Ine5OBqsw&oe=65E53A7E

https://scontent-mad1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/425373555_7620061154679769_3658321603506306461_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c42490&_nc_ohc=PHu7Vfr8WssAX9FHLWh&_nc_ht=scontent-mad1-1.xx&oh=00_AfC3lEkTXKrLhaVtCLf3PhsuOWxn_tvdNmIn_yBrmA4r1Q&oe=65E3C21D

https://scontent-mad2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/425331183_7620061458013072_8834534054188642698_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c42490&_nc_ohc=k8095S3ZI4YAX-SahVz&_nc_ht=scontent-mad2-1.xx&oh=00_AfCxWsfQgzi_qEz2rDBqk1j64U2zDANcN_MAdRahSEVmVA&oe=65E35364

https://scontent-mad1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/425379803_7620061514679733_1467750116956441221_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c42490&_nc_ohc=05vuRePAQIUAX_hOv5a&_nc_ht=scontent-mad1-1.xx&oh=00_AfDSnSpqr9hrV3fJKm13TcoW5WfkGLa4xh5dcoFmcG-9Iw&oe=65E51DB4

https://scontent-mad1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/425375795_7620062058013012_3107631457852532677_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c42490&_nc_ohc=SEhZs6oNo6UAX8EUAh0&_nc_ht=scontent-mad1-1.xx&oh=00_AfBPndiND_KQ1L3-2BSMZZeYzJedOsBW5WNFphewjgCaLg&oe=65E4E929