Former Greek royal family members granted citizenship under ‘De Grèce’ surname after top court ruling

Greece’s highest administrative tribunal has upheld the ineligible designation of citizenship and surname for ten members of the erstwhile royal family, confirming their status arsenic Greek citizens under the sanction “De Grèce” (of Greece).

In a closed-door deliberation, the Council of State rejected an entreaty lodged by instrumentality prof Panagiotis Lazaratos, who had challenged the legality and constitutionality of the family’s citizenship and naming process.

The ruling clears the last ineligible obstacle, with the tribunal affirming that the process complied with law requirements and existing legislation. Once the determination is formally published, the individuals acrophobic will beryllium entitled to each rights afforded to Greek citizens, including the close to vote and stand for nationalist office.

The lawsuit centres connected a 2024 ministerial act, signed by Interior Minister Theodoros Livanios, which recognised that the indispensable conditions had been met for the reinstatement of citizenship under Law 2215/1994. The aforesaid determination authorised the registration of the ten household members successful the Athens municipal registry.

Following their registration successful the nationalist citizens’ registry, the household members were capable to get Greek individuality cards and passports, having antecedently held Danish citizenship.

The determination applies to the 5 children of the precocious King Constantine II—Pavlos, Nikolaos, Philippos, Theodora and Alexia—as well arsenic the 5 children of Crown Prince Pavlos and Marie-Chantal.

Their eligibility was contingent connected gathering strict ineligible requirements acceptable retired successful the 1994 law, including ceremonial designation of Greece’s enactment system pursuing the 1974 referendum that abolished the monarchy, renunciation of immoderate claims to royal titles oregon privileges, and registration under a legally recognised surname.

Government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis antecedently stressed that the process progressive “no special treatment”, describing Greece arsenic a “strong democracy” susceptible of safeguarding its law framework.

The determination comes astir 50 years aft the abolition of the monarchy, with the household formally declaring their acceptance of the Constitution and confirming they clasp nary claims against the Greek state.

Despite the ineligible resolution, the determination has raised questions among law experts implicit the timing of the applications, noting that astir of the household members bash not reside permanently successful Greece.

According to sources adjacent to the family, the determination to question citizenship reflects a tendency to strengthen ties with Greece, peculiarly arsenic Prince Nikolaos resides successful the state and Pavlos has indicated an volition to spend much clip there.

With citizenship present secured, ineligible experts enactment that the erstwhile royal household members clasp afloat civic rights, including the theoretical anticipation of entering governmental life—an enactment they person publically ruled out.