The Greek and Spanish Royal Families are attending the Funeral of the late Princess Irene of Greece and Denmark at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens on January 19th, following a Requiem Mass in Madrid. The younger sister of King Constantine II of Greece and Queen Sofia of Spain, Princess Irene was an accomplished pianist and founded a humanitarian organization in exile.
After the Requiem Mass at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Saint Andrew and Saint Demetrius in Madrid, the coffin was transported from Madrid to Athens. Ahead of the Funeral, the coffin of the late Princess Irene of Greece and Denmark arrived at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens and was put on display in the adjacent chapel of St. Eleftherios for several hours before being taken inside the Cathedral.
Crown Prince Pavlos greeted guest and said:
With deep sorrow, I mark the passing of my beloved aunt, Princess Irene of Greece.
A woman of quiet strength, deep faith and steadfast devotion to family, her presence was at once gentle and unyielding and her values were not spoken, but lived—expressed in every act of devotion and care for those around her.
Irene was a wellspring of wisdom, loyalty and love, a steady anchor for our family across time. Her loss leaves a silence that cannot be filled, but her memory will remain forever in our hearts.
May she rest in eternal peace, reunited with those she loved.
Queen Sofia of Spain and Queen Anne-Marie of Greece led the Royal and Noble Guests at the Funeral for the late Princess Irene of Greece and Denmark at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens before the burial in the Royal Cemetery at Tatoi Palace.
Queen Anne-Marie and Family
King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain with the Princess of Asturias and Infanta Sofia
Queen Sofia of Spain with Infanta Elena and Infanta Cristina
Prince Constantine Alexios, Prince Achileas-Andreas, and Prince Aristidis-Stavros of Greece
Princess Alexia of Greece and Family
Marina Karella, Princess Michael of Greece
Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine of Serbia
Princess Sophie of Romania
Prince Christian of Hanover, Princess Sophie-Alexandra of Bavaria, and Duchess Elisabeth in Bavaria
The extended Spanish Royal Family attended a Memorial Service for the late Princess Irene of Greece and Denmark at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Saint Andrew and Saint Demetrius in Madrid on January 17th.
Queen Sofia, King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, the Princess of Asturias and Infanta Sofia led the Royal and Noble Guests at the Memorial Service for the late Princess Irene of Greece and Denmark at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Saint Andrew and Saint Demetrius in Madrid. The Funeral will be held at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens before being the burial in the Royal Cemetery at Tatoi Palace.
King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain
Queen Sofia with the Princess of Asturias and Infanta Sofia
Infanta Elena
Infanta Cristina and Princess Alexia of Greece
Prince Konstantin and Prince Kyril of Bulgaria
Infanta Margarita, Duchess of Soria and Hernani
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 Loop Tiara
Queen Frederica’s Pearl Necklace Tiara
Princess Irene’s Pendant
Diamond Circle Necklace
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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.
