How a Greek King Lost His Crown and Found a New Life in London
In short: Constantine II reigned as King of Greece for a decade, but his rule was defined by political turmoil and a failed countercoup. Ousted by a military junta in 1967, he spent decades in exile in London, eventually returning home to Greece only long after his monarchy had been formally abolished.
Born in 1940, Constantine II ascended to the Greek throne in 1964 following the death of his father, King Paul I. His brief reign was marked by significant instability. In July 1965, fearing that leftist elements were infiltrating the military, Constantine dismissed Premier Georgios Papandreou. This decision triggered a period of political volatility, leading to the appointment of several interim premiers until a military coup occurred on April 21, 1967. The junta effectively forestalled elections that had been scheduled for May of that year.
The King attempted to regain control through a countercoup launched from northern Greece on December 13, 1967. Lacking sufficient support, the effort collapsed almost immediately, forcing Constantine and his family to flee to Rome. Although the military regime initially left the monarchy intact by appointing a regent, the political landscape shifted permanently in 1973. On June 1, 1973, the junta proclaimed a republic and abolished the monarchy, a move later confirmed by a referendum on July 29, 1973.
Following the transition to a civilian government in November 1974, a final referendum on the monarchy was held on December 8, 1974. The Greek people voted to reject the institution, and Constantine, who had previously protested the 1973 referendum, accepted the result. Having settled in London, the former King spent his years of exile engaging with global political leaders and supporting various causes. He eventually returned to Greece in 2003, having previously achieved personal success as an Olympic gold medalist and playing a key role in securing the 2004 Olympic Games for Athens.
The story of Constantine II is one of a man navigating the collapse of a royal institution in the face of modern military rule. While he lost his crown, he maintained a public life from his base in Hampstead, London, until his death in Athens in 2023. His journey reflects the broader, often turbulent, political shifts that defined 20th-century Greece.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Why Was The Last King Of Greece Exiled To London? | King Constantine
- Also: Constantine II | Biography, Greece, & Facts | Britannica
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