On March 11, 1964, Greece bid farewell to one of its most significant modern monarchs.
On this day 62 years ago, King Paul of Greece was laid to rest at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens, as thousands gathered in Athens to pay their respects.
Among those attending the solemn ceremony was his first cousin, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, who traveled from the United Kingdom to honor the late Greek monarch. He was joined by his mother, Princess Alice of Battenberg—also known as Princess Andrew of Greece and Denmark.
The funeral drew royalty and dignitaries from across Europe, reflecting the close ties between the Greek royal family and many of the continent’s ruling houses.
King Paul had ruled Greece since 1947, guiding the country through the difficult post-war years and the early Cold War period. Following his death, the throne passed to his son, Constantine II of Greece, who became the final monarch in modern Greek history.
The images of Prince Philip standing beside members of the Greek royal family during the funeral remain a powerful reminder of the deep historical connections between Greece and European royal families.
Today, more than six decades later, the moment stands as a poignant chapter in Greece’s modern history and in the life of a royal family whose story has long been intertwined with that of the nation.
