Constantine Glucksburg Biography and Timeline

Accession of Constantine I

Constantine succeeds his father as King of Greece.

Role range: 1913-1917

Dismissal of Venizelos

Constantine dismisses Venizelos after renewed disagreement over Allied military operations.

Role range: 1913-1917

Abdication of Constantine I

Allied pressure forces Constantine to leave the throne and depart Greece.

Role range: 1913-1917

Restoration of Constantine I

A referendum and political change restore Constantine I to the throne.

Role range: 1920-1922

Second Abdication of Constantine I

Constantine abdicates following the military revolution and leaves Greece.

Role range: 1920-1922

Birth of Constantine II

Constantine is born in Athens to Crown Prince Paul and Princess Frederica.

Refuge in Alexandria

After the German invasion of Greece, the young Constantine and his immediate family leave Crete and take refuge in Alexandria, Egypt.

Residence in South Africa

Constantine's family moves from Alexandria to South Africa, where they live under the protection of Prime Minister Jan Smuts.

Wartime Evacuation

Following the German invasion of Greece, the royal family leaves Athens and seeks safety first in Crete and then abroad.

Return to Greece

Constantine returns to Greece with his family after the 1946 referendum restores the monarchy.

Becomes Crown Prince

After King George II dies and Paul becomes king, Constantine becomes heir apparent to the Greek throne.

Anavryta School Education

Crown Prince Constantine begins attending the National Anavryta School, which follows educational principles associated with Kurt Hahn.

Weekend Military Training

While still a pupil at Anavryta, Constantine undertakes regular weekend military training alongside his academic studies.

Hellenic Olympic Committee Presidency

Crown Prince Constantine becomes president of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, beginning a long formal association with the Olympic movement.

Oath to Armed Forces

On reaching adulthood, Constantine swears allegiance to the army, navy, and air force as heir to the Greek throne.

Armed Forces Training

Crown Prince Constantine receives training and service experience across the three branches of the Greek armed forces before becoming king.

First Meeting with Anne-Marie

Crown Prince Constantine first meets Princess Anne-Marie of Denmark during a stop in Copenhagen while travelling in Scandinavia.

Law Studies

Constantine begins law studies at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens while continuing official royal duties.

Official Engagements during University Years

During his university years, Constantine accompanies King Paul and Queen Frederica on official visits abroad while continuing his law studies.

Olympic Sailing Gold

Crown Prince Constantine wins an Olympic gold medal as helmsman of the Greek Dragon-class sailing team at the Rome Games.

Public Welcome after Olympic Victory

Constantine receives a major public welcome in Athens after returning from his Olympic sailing victory in Italy.

IOC Session Opening

Crown Prince Constantine formally opens the International Olympic Committee session held in Athens.

International Olympic Academy Honorary Presidency

Constantine serves as Honorary President of the International Olympic Academy from the institution's early years.

World Sailing Committee Service

Constantine begins serving on international sailing committees, including class-policy and catamaran technical bodies.

IOC Membership

Constantine becomes a member of the International Olympic Committee before his accession to the Greek throne.

Succession

Constantine II succeeds his father, King Paul, as King of the Hellenes on March 6, 1964.

Role range: 1964-1973

Marriage to Anne-Marie

King Constantine II marries Princess Anne-Marie of Denmark in Athens.

Role range: 1964-1973

Proposal to Anne-Marie

Constantine proposes to Princess Anne-Marie during a sailing holiday in Norway before their September wedding in Athens.

Birth of Princess Alexia

Princess Alexia, the first child of Constantine II and Anne-Marie, is born at Mon Repos on Corfu.

Role range: 1964-1973

Papandreou Government Crisis

A confrontation between Constantine II and Prime Minister George Papandreou culminates in Papandreou's resignation and a prolonged political crisis.

Role range: 1964-1973

Colonels' Coup

A group of army officers seizes power in Greece, confronting Constantine II with the military regime later known as the Colonels' junta.

Role range: 1964-1973

Birth of Crown Prince Pavlos

Pavlos, the eldest son of Constantine II and Anne-Marie, is born in Athens while the monarchy still formally exists.

Role range: 1964-1973

Counter-Coup

Constantine II launches an unsuccessful counter-coup against the military junta from northern Greece.

Role range: 1964-1973

Exile of Constantine II

After the counter-coup fails, Constantine II and his family leave Greece and go into exile in Rome.

Role range: 1964-1973

Public Opposition to the Junta

During a visit to the United States, Constantine publicly distances himself from the April 21 military regime and describes the coup as a disastrous day.

Role range: 1964-1973

Refusal to Return under Junta

While living in Rome, Constantine refuses requests to return to Greece unless democratic government is first restored.

Birth of Prince Nikolaos

Prince Nikolaos, the second son of Constantine II and Anne-Marie, is born in Rome during the royal family's exile.

Monarchy Abolished by Junta

The military regime formally deposes Constantine II, abolishes the monarchy, and proclaims a republic.

Role range: 1964-1973

Republic Referendum under Junta

The military regime holds a referendum that approves its republican constitution after it has already deposed Constantine II and abolished the monarchy.

Cambridge Political History Course

While living in exile, Constantine regularly travels from Rome to Cambridge to attend a course in political history.