Queen Camilla recently led the British royal family in attending a thanksgiving service in Windsor for the late King Constantine II. Constantine, a beloved figure in the royal circle, shared close ties with the British royals, being a second cousin of King Charles, a first cousin of the late Duke of Edinburgh, and even a godfather to Prince William.
A Touching Memorial at St George’s Chapel
The memorial service to celebrate King Constantine’s life was held at St George’s Chapel on a somber Tuesday morning. It was a poignant moment as Camilla gracefully stepped in for her husband Charles, who was unable to attend due to his ongoing cancer treatment. The absence of Prince William, who was expected to give a reading but had to withdraw due to a “personal matter”, added an air of solemnity to the proceedings. Crown Prince Pavlos, Constantine’s son, took on the responsibility of delivering the reading in William’s absence.
King Constantine II passed away at the age of 82 in January 2023, after battling ill health for a number of years. His funeral, which took place at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Athens, saw an outpouring of love and support from European royals. Princess Anne and her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, represented King Charles and Queen Camilla, while Lady Gabriella Windsor stood in on behalf of Prince William, whom Constantine counted as one of his godfathers. Constantine’s burial at Tatoi Palace cemetery, near Athens, marked the end of an era for Greece.
King Constantine II’s reign as the King of the Hellenes was short-lived, lasting only a decade before a military junta abolished the monarchy. He faced scrutiny and controversy, with two referendums held in 1973 and 1974, both resulting in the abolition of the monarchy. Despite the challenges he faced, Constantine lived a life of exile in London for many years before finally returning to Greece in 2013, where he spent his final decade surrounded by family and loved ones.
The thanksgiving service held in memory of King Constantine II was a bittersweet moment for the British royal family and their esteemed guests. It served as a poignant reminder of a life lived with grace, dignity, and unwavering dedication to duty. King Constantine’s legacy will forever be remembered in the annals of history, as a man who faced adversity with resilience and embraced his role with honor and humility.
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