Prince Philip’s first cousin, Prince Michael of Greece, dies aged 85

Prince Michael of Greece and Denmark, who was Prince Philip‘s first cousin, has died at the age of 85.

The royal, who was a renowned writer and historian under the name Michel De Gres, passed away at hospital in Athens , it was announced today.

The last remaining grandson of George I with a lineage to the House of Bourbon through his mother’s side of the family, is set to be buried in the Greek capital on Thursday.

He was well known for his devotion to his wife Marina Karella and his turbulent personal life which saw him tragically lose his father at the age of just one.

Despite being an acclaimed painter and sculptor, as Marina was not a member of the royal family he had to give up his rights to the Greek throne in order to marry her in 1965.

Prince Michael of Greece has died at the age of 85, his family announced on Sunday

Prince Michael of Greece pictured with his wife Marina Karella at Saint-Louis-de-Invalides Cathedral in Paris for the wedding of Prince Napoleon and Countess Arco-Zunneberg in October 2019

Prince Michael pictured at the age of 25 with his wife Marina Karella at her home in Athens in February 1965

Born in 1939, Prince Michael was born on the eve of great change in Europe and in the Greek Royal Family.

The only child of Prince Christopher of Greece and Denmark – who was the younger brother of Prince Philip’s father, Prince Andrew – and his second wife Princess Francoise d’Oleans of France, his youth was characterised by upheaval.

His father died at the age of 51 in 1940 after a short illness, while his mother passed away in 1953 leaving him an orphan at the age of 14.

Being shuttled around Europe and north Africa in the midst of the Second World War, Michael was raised in Paris following the cessation of hostilities, where he developed a fascination with Greece and its history from afar.

He would return to the country as an adult, joining its army and serving in the Cavalry-Armoured Corps and becoming the only royal to gain Greek citizenship.

His love for the country kept it close to his heart and even when spending long periods away from the country, he always returned in good time.

When the government fell to a right-wing military coup in 1967, Michael was the only member if the Greek Royal Family to remain in the country after his nephew King Constantine failed in his attempts to overthrow the Junta.

Despite this, it was his marriage to Marina Karella that captured the hearts of the nation.

The couple had met through mutual friends at a party and Michael was immediately smitten with the ‘absolutely charming’ woman. 

Prince Michael of Greece signs copies of his autobiography at Librairie Galignani in Paris in November 2023

Despite spending time abroad the prince adored Greece, keeping a home on Patmos Island in the country

Marina, who was the daughter of Athenian industrialist Theodoros Karella, had studied Fine Arts in Greece and Paris – the latter of which gave them something to talk about as Michael’s mother was French and he had grown up in the country.

Michael recalled the moment in his memoir, saying: ‘ She was just so lovely and gracious with me. It didn’t take long to decide that I wanted to marry her.

‘I remember I was dancing with her at a party, and I just looked at her. It was like a revelation – it was her and no one else.’

Just a few weeks later they got engaged, and despite some trepidation on her part, it would be a match made in heaven.

Their marriage took two years to negotiate, with Michael forced to give up his rights to the Greek throne in order to marry a commoner. 

But when they did tie the knot on February 7, 1965, at the Royal Palace in Athens it was an event to be remembered, with the guest list including Queen Frederica, King Constantine, Queen Anna-Maria and, the Count and Countess of Paris.

 He later said he ‘didn’t hesitate’ to give away his birthright for love, adding that by doing so it ‘gave me a sense of freedom’ and meant he was no longer beholden to the Royal Family, allowing him to choose his own profession.

More to follow…