Prince Michael of Greece, first cousin of the late Prince Philip, dies aged 85

By Josephine McKenna

Prince Michael of Greece, the first cousin of Prince Philip, has died at the age of 85, local media are reporting.

The renowned historian who wrote under the name Michel De Gres died at a hospital in Athens, the Kathimerini newspaper said.

The prince was the last surviving grandson of assassinated Greek monarch King George I with a lineage that goes back to the House of Bourbon - one of the most important ruling families of Europe - through his mother, Francoise d'Orléans. Although they were of the same age, he was also the uncle of the former King Constantine.

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Prince Michael was born in Rome in 1939 shortly before the outbreak of the Second World War. His father died a year later and his mother died when he was 14.

He spent his early years growing up in Morocco, Spain and France, where he studied political science.

The prince was passionate about Greece and did his military service in the Hellenic Coast Guard after completing his studies.

He spent some time living in the country and in recent years had divided his time between his homeland and abroad.

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He renounced his right to the Greek throne when he married artist and sculptor Marina Karella, daughter of an industrialist, in 1965, because she was a commoner.

They had two daughters, Princess Alexandra and Princess Olga.

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Prince Michael was the only member of the Greek royal family who did not leave Greece after the failed coup in December 1967, when then King Constantine attempted to overthrow the military junta.

He was also the only member of the Greek royal family who held Greek citizenship.

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The prince achieved international acclaim as an author with dozens of bestselling works, combining his historical knowledge with literary narrative.

His writing focused on historical subjects and royalty.

He had a reputation for meticulous detail and covered a range of topics from Greece and the Ottoman Empire, to King Louis IV of France and the Russian tsars.

Details of his funeral have not yet been announced, the Kathimerini reported.

© Telegraph Media Group Limited 2023

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