History of Constantine II of Greece

Constantine II, the last King of Greece, played a significant, albeit controversial role, in the nation's modern political landscape. His life and reign were intertwined with pivotal events in Greek history, marking a turbulent period of political upheaval and transformation.

Born on June 2, 1940, in Athens, Constantine was the only son of King Paul of Greece and Queen Frederica. His early life was influenced by the upheavals of World War II, during which the royal family fled to Egypt and South Africa following the German invasion of Greece. They returned to Greece after the war, as the monarchy was restored in 1946 following a referendum.

Constantine ascended the throne on March 6, 1964, after the death of his father, King Paul. At the age of 23, he was the youngest monarch in Europe at the time. His early years as king were marked by optimism and popularity. He was married to Princess Anne-Marie of Denmark, and they quickly gained favor with the Greek public.

However, Constantine's reign coincided with a period of intense political instability. Greece was politically divided, primarily between the center-left and right-wing parties, each with strong ideological leanings. This division was exacerbated by the Cold War dynamics influencing global politics.

In July 1965, a significant crisis, known as the "Apostasia" or "Royal Coup," unfolded. It involved a series of events that destabilized Greek politics, starting with Constantine's controversial decision to dismiss the sitting Prime Minister, George Papandreou. The dismissal led to mass protests and unrest, with accusations that the young king was being unduly influenced by his family and military advisors. Constantine’s failure to manage this political crisis effectively laid the groundwork for further discontent.

The unresolved political situation provided fertile ground for a military coup. On April 21, 1967, a group of right-wing army officers, led by Colonel George Papadopoulos, took control of the government, establishing a military junta. Constantine, although still nominally king, was seen as having legitimized the junta by swearing in the new government. His perceived leniency and failure to immediately denounce the coup further eroded his credibility among democratic factions.

In December 1967, Constantine made a counter-coup attempt to overthrow the junta. He fled to the northern city of Kavala, hoping to muster military support, but the plan failed as the junta maintained its grip on power. Constantine and his family went into exile, first in Rome and later in London, marking the effective end of the Greek monarchy's role in daily governance.

The junta maintained its rule until 1974, when it collapsed following a series of events, including an unsuccessful attempt to annex Cyprus, which led to a Turkish invasion of the island. In the post-junta period, Greece transitioned back to a democratic government. The new Prime Minister, Konstantinos Karamanlis, facilitated a democratic referendum held on December 8, 1974, where the Greek people decisively voted to abolish the monarchy, with approximately 69% voting against its return. Constantine, residing in London, expressed regret at the outcome but accepted the decision.

Despite living in exile for decades, Constantine maintained interest in Greek affairs. He made several attempts to return to Greece, which were often met with legal and bureaucratic challenges. In the 1990s, the Greek government seized royal properties, igniting legal battles between Constantine and the Greek state. These disputes, along with Constantine's attempts to engage in Greek social and political discourse, kept him in the public eye. The European Court of Human Rights eventually ruled in his favor, granting compensation for the confiscated properties.

Constantine returned to Greece permanently in 2013. His return marked a low-key presence in Greek society; no longer a political player, he largely refrained from active participation in public affairs, focusing instead on charity and cultural efforts. Despite the contentious historical legacy, some in Greece viewed his activities with nostalgia, while others remained critical of his past political decisions.

Throughout his life, Constantine II's role as a politician was inseparably linked to his identity as a monarch. His reign encapsulated a transitional era in Greek politics, from monarchy to republic, underscoring the tension between tradition and modernity. Constantine's attempts to navigate the political landscape of 1960s Greece were constrained by his limited experience, external pressures, and the complex societal factors at play.

In summary, Constantine II’s legacy as a politician is complex and often divisive, marked by moments of both support and significant opposition. His story is emblematic of Greece’s struggle to define its post-war identity within the broader context of Cold War politics and a shifting international landscape. His life and actions remain a significant chapter in the study of modern Greek history, shedding light on the challenges monarchies face in maintaining relevance in contemporary governance systems.