Constantine of Greece, brother of Queen Sofia, dies at 82

Greek public television announced on Tuesday the death of Constantine of Greece at 82 years old. the brother of the Queen Sofiawho traveled to Athens last Thursday to accompany him in his last moments, was admitted to an intensive care unit due to respiratory failure.

The last king of the Hellenes has died at the Hygeia hospital in the capital, where these days both family and friends have come to inquire about his health. Despite the seriousness of his condition, the office of Constantine of Greece sent a reassuring message, assuring that it was an admission “like so many others.” In recent times, King Felipe VI’s uncle had suffered from health problems. In 2019, he was admitted for suffering an ischemic crisis; In 2020 he was hospitalized again after contracting the coronavirus. All this affected his respiratory and heart problems, also causing mobility problems.

His entire family has moved to Athens these days and has been very united in the face of the inevitable end. Constantine’s children, who live abroad, have accompanied his mother, Queen Ana María, at all times, who has not separated for a single moment from her side. Queen Sofía and her sister, Infanta Irene, arrived in the capital last Thursday, after attending the emeritus pope’s funeral in the Vatican, and were seen praying in a temple this Monday with their nephews.

Constantine II of Greece, son of King Paul I of Greece and Frederick of Hanover, ascended the throne in 1964 and reigned until the title was abolished in 1967. The family went into exile in London, where they strengthened ties with the British Royal House, and returned to his homeland in 2013. Married to Ana María of Denmark, he was the father of five children, Pablo, Felipe, Teodora, Alexia and Nicolás, to whom both Felipe VI and the princesses Elena and Cristina are very close.

His last public appearance was last October with his wife, Ana María, younger sister of Queen Margarita of Denmark, and her sisters, Doña Sofía and Doña Irene. They were walking through a central street in Athens, where he moved from Porto Jeli to be closer to the hospital.