Sad news today! Princess Irene of Greece and Denmark has passed away at the age of 83 at the Zarzuela Palace in Madrid. The younger sister of King Constantine II of Greece and Queen Sofia of Spain, Princess Irene became an accomplished pianist and founded a humanitarian organization in exile.
Their Majesties the King and Queen and Her Majesty Queen Sofia regret to announce the passing of Her Royal Highness Princess Irene of Greece and Denmark at 11:40 a.m. today at the Zarzuela Palace in Madrid,”
The third and youngest child of then Crown Prince Paul of Greece and Princess Frederica of Hanover, Princess Irene of Greece and Denmark was born in South Africa, where the family was in exile during the Second World War. Princess Irene’s older siblings are King Constantine II of Greece and Queen Sofia of Spain. The Royal Family returned to Greece in 1946, and her father became King in 1947.
Princess Irene studied at the Schloss Salem School in Germany before she completed her studies in archaeology under the guidance of Theofano Arvanitopoulou and later pursued a career as a pianist alongside the famous musician Gina Bachauer.
When her brother became King of Greece in 1964, Princess Irene was the Heiress Presumptive to the Greek Throne for over a year until the birth of Princess Alexia, and followed the family into exile in 1967. Linked to numerous royals, particularly Prince Michel of Orléans, Count of Évreux, she remained unmarried.
Princess Irene accompanied her mother on her various trips around the world, residing mainly in India and after her death in 1981, Princess Irene went to live in Madrid, where she resided with her sister until the end of her life. In 1986, Princess Irene created a humanitarian organization called World In Harmony, to find practical ways of showing solidarity towards human beings in need and compassion to animals.
Princess Irene remained a regular figure at Royal Events around Europe, often accompanying her sister, Queen Sofia, until recent years when her health had quite declined, last being seen at the Wedding of Princess Theodora of Greece and the Wedding of Prince Nikolaos of Greece.
Queen Sophie’s Diamond Circle Tiara | Queen Frederica’s Pearl Necklace Tiara | Princess Irene’s Pendant | Diamond Circle Necklace
Queen Sophie’s Diamond Circle Tiara
Queen Frederica’s Pearl Necklace Tiara
Princess Irene’s Pendant
Diamond Circle Necklace
Embed from Getty Images
Happy Birthday to Princess Irene of Greece and Denmark, who was born on this day in 1942! The third and youngest child of then Crown Prince Paul of Greece and Princess Frederica of Hanover, she was born in South Africa, where the family was in exile during WWII. Returning to Greece in 1946, her father became King in 1947, and after his death, her brother became King in 1964, when she was the Heiress Presumptive for over a year until the birth of Princess Alexia. Princess Irene’s older siblings are King Constantine of Greece and Queen Sofia of Spain. Linked to numerous royals, she has remained unmarried. An accomplished pianist, she studied under the tutelage of the famous Greek concert pianist Gina Bachauer. After the Greek royal family was exiled again in 1967, she accompanied her mother on her various trips around the world, and after her death in 1981, Princess Irene went to live in Madrid, where she resides to this day. In 1986, she created a humanitarian organization called World In Harmony, to find practical ways of showing solidarity towards human beings in need and compassion to animals. Princess Irene is seen at some royal events, mostly with her siblings, including the Wedding of Crown Prince Leka of Albania last year.
