King Constantine II.

Κωνσταντίνος Βʹ

Born 2 Jun 1940 Athens, Greece

Died 10 Jan 2023 Athens, Greece

Citizenship Greece

Would Be 86 yr If Living

9 min read

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Mar 11, 2026

Published

Awards

TL;DR

King Constantine II won Greece’s first Olympic gold medal in 48 years, helming the Nereus to victory in sailing at the 1960 Rome Games. He became King of Greece in 1964 and was exiled in 1967 after a military coup. He died in Athens in 2023 at age 82.

Identity & family.

KIN · 9

Names, aliases, and relatives of King Constantine II — birth name, kin, and personal ties.

Native Name Κωνσταντίνος Βʹ

Nicknames Constantine, Constantin, Konstantin

Aliases Constantine II, King Frederik IV of Denmark, Constantine Glucksburg, Prince Constantine of Greece, ex King Constantine of Greece, Konge Konstantin II af Grækenland, Prinz Konstantin, Konstantin II. von Griechenland, Konstantin von Griechenland

Parents: Frederica of Hanover Paul of Greece
Spouses: Queen Anne Marie
Children: Princess Alexia of Greece and Denmark Prince Nikolaos of Greece and Denmark Princess Theodora of Greece and Denmark Prince Philippos of Greece and Denmark
Siblings: Queen Sofía of Spain Princess Irene of Greece and Denmark

At a glance.

STATS

King Constantine II by the numbers — life, work, and family.

82 Years lived

33 Awards

1 Marriage

4 Children

Who was King Constantine II?

BIOGRAPHY

King Constantine II — early life, career, personal life, and legacy.

Early life

World War II and the Greek Civil War marked Constantine’s early years. Born on June 2, 1940, at Villa Psychiko in Athens, he was the son of King Paul of Greece and Queen Frederica of Hanover. He attended the Anavryta Classical Lyceum and Victoria College, later studying at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and the University of Cambridge. Military training came at the NATO School Oberammergau.

Career

Constantine became King of Greece on March 6, 1964, upon the death of his father. In 1960, he won the gold medal in the dragon class sailing event at the Rome Olympics — the first Greek to win gold since 1912. He appeared as himself in the 1961 documentary The Grand Olympics. A political crisis led to a military coup in April 1967; he went into exile and never returned to the throne. The regime deposed him in 1973.

Personal life

On September 18, 1964, Constantine married Princess Anne-Marie of Denmark, who became Queen consort. They had four children: Princess Alexia, Prince Nikolaos, Princess Theodora, and Prince Philippos. His sister Sofía became Queen of Spain, and his other sister Irene is a princess. He was also godfather to Prince William of Wales.

Legacy

Constantine II reigned as the last King of Greece; the monarchy ended in 1973. His Olympic gold medal in 1960 remains a highlight of Greek sports history. The UIPM Modern Pentathlon Hall of Fame inducted him in 2017 as part of the inaugural class. He also served as godfather to Prince William of Wales.

Awards & honors.

AWARDS · 33

Every award, honor, and recognition received by King Constantine II — Grammys, hall-of-fame inductions, civic honors, lifetime achievements.

Knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece
Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Saint Olav
Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
Knight of the Order of the Elephant
Order of the Redeemer
Order of Saints George and Constantine
Order of the Phoenix
Order of the Golden Fleece
Order of George I
Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Dannebrog
Order of the Gold Lion of the House of Nassau
Royal Order of the Seraphim
Anniversary medal at the occasion of the 2500th anniversary of the founding of the Iranian Empire
Knight of the Order of the Most Holy Annunciation
Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus
Knight grand cross of the order of the crown of Italy
Medal of Military Merit
Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour
Supreme Order of the Renaissance
Legion of Merit
Order of the Liberator General San Martín
Order of the Aztec Eagle
Order of the Nile
National Order of the Lion of Senegal
Order of Leopold II
Order of Saint-Charles
Order of the Royal House of Chakri
Order of Idris I
Order of Propitious Clouds
Prince Henriks 75th Birthday Medal
Medal of Merit
Order of the Sun of Peru
Order of Saint Anna, 1st class

Did you know?

FACTS · 6

Little-known facts about King Constantine II — origins, oddities, and behind-the-scenes details from a public life.

Brother-in-law to Juan Carlos de Borbón, Queen Margrethe of Denmark, Princess Benedikte, Prince Henrik, and Prince Richard.
He reigned as King of Greece from 1964 until 1967 and went into exile after a military coup.
At the 1960 Rome Olympics, he won an Olympic gold medal in sailing as helmsman of the Nereus, the first Greek to do so since 1912, with his sister Sophia on the substitute crew.
He served as godfather to Prince William of Wales.
He has nine grandchildren, including Princess Maria-Olympia and Prince Konstantinos-Alexios.
In 2017, the UIPM Modern Pentathlon Hall of Fame inducted him into its inaugural class.

You wanted to know.

FAQ · 36

Quick answers to the questions readers ask most about King Constantine II.

What is King Constantine II's birth date?

King Constantine II was born on June 2, 1940, at Villa Psychiko in Athens, Greece. His parents were King Paul of Greece and Queen Frederica of Hanover.
Where was King Constantine II born?

He was born at Villa Psychiko in Athens, Greece. This neighborhood served as the royal residence at the time of his birth.
When did King Constantine II die?

He died on January 10, 2023, in Athens, Greece. He was 82 years old at the time of his death.
How old was King Constantine II when he died?

King Constantine II was 82 years old when he died on January 10, 2023. He was born on June 2, 1940.
Where did King Constantine II die?

He died in Athens, Greece. The exact location was not publicly disclosed but it was in the capital city.
How did King Constantine II die?

He died from a stroke. This occurred on January 10, 2023, in Athens, Greece.
What is King Constantine II's name in his native language?

His native Greek name is Κωνσταντίνος Βʹ. This translates to Constantine II in English.
What is King Constantine II's nationality?

He was Greek. He held citizenship of Greece throughout his life.
What language did King Constantine II speak?

His native language was Greek. He also likely spoke English and Danish due to his royal connections.
Who are King Constantine II's parents?

His parents were King Paul of Greece and Queen Frederica of Hanover. They were the reigning monarchs at the time of his birth.
Who was King Constantine II married to?

He married Queen Anne-Marie of Denmark on September 18, 1964. She was the daughter of King Frederik IX of Denmark.
How many children did King Constantine II have?

He had four children: Princess Alexia, Prince Nikolaos, Princess Theodora, and Prince Philippos. All hold the title Prince or Princess of Greece and Denmark.
Did King Constantine II have any siblings?

Yes, he had two siblings: Queen Sofía of Spain and Princess Irene of Greece and Denmark. Sofía is the wife of former King Juan Carlos of Spain.
Where did King Constantine II attend school?

He attended the Anavryta Classical Lyceum, Victoria College, and later studied at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and the University of Cambridge. He also trained at the NATO School Oberammergau.
What awards did King Constantine II receive?

He received numerous honors, including the Knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece, the Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Saint Olav, and the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour. In total, he had over 30 major orders and medals.
How many major awards did King Constantine II receive?

He received 33 major awards from various countries, including the Royal Order of the Seraphim and the Order of the Elephant.
What movie did King Constantine II appear in?

He appeared uncredited as himself in the 1961 documentary The Grand Olympics. The film covered the 1960 Rome Olympics.
How tall was King Constantine II?

King Constantine II stood 6 feet 2 inches tall, which is 1.88 meters. This height was noted in his biography.
What nicknames did King Constantine II go by?

He was known by the nicknames Constantine, Constantin, and Konstantin. These are variations of his name in different languages.
What aliases did King Constantine II use?

He used several aliases, including King Frederik IV of Denmark, Constantine Glucksburg, and Prince Constantine of Greece. These were used in various contexts, such as in exile or in Danish royal references.
What was King Constantine II's birth name?

His birth name was Konstantínos von Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg. This reflects his dynastic lineage.
Who are King Constantine II's relatives?

His relatives include Queen Sofía of Spain sister, King Felipe VI of Spain nephew, Queen Margrethe of Denmark sister-in-law, and Prince William of Wales godson. His grandparents included Viktoria Luise von Preußen and King Constantine I of Greece.
What Olympic event did King Constantine II win?

He won a gold medal in the dragon class sailing event at the 1960 Rome Olympics. He helmed the boat Nereus.
When did King Constantine II go into exile?

He went into exile in April 1967 after a military coup overthrew the Greek government. He never returned to the throne and was deposed in 1973.
How many grandchildren did King Constantine II have?

He had nine grandchildren. Among them are Princess Maria-Olympia and Prince Konstantinos-Alexios, children of Crown Prince Pavlos.
What was King Constantine II's role in the film The Grand Olympics?

He appeared as himself in the 1961 documentary The Grand Olympics, which chronicled the 1960 Rome Olympics. His appearance is uncredited.
Which royal families is King Constantine II related to?

He is related to the Greek, Danish, Spanish, and British royal families. His sister Sofía married King Juan Carlos of Spain, and he is godfather to Prince William of Wales.
What is the UIPM Hall of Fame and when was Constantine inducted?

The UIPM Modern Pentathlon Hall of Fame honors athletes and officials. King Constantine II was inducted in 2017 as part of the inaugural class, recognizing his Olympic achievements.
What military honors did King Constantine II have?

He received the Medal of Military Merit from Greece and the Legion of Merit from the United States. He also held orders from many countries, including the Order of the Liberator General San Martín.
Was King Constantine II formally deposed?

Yes, he was formally deposed in 1973 by the Greek military regime. A referendum later abolished the monarchy, and he remained in exile.
What was King Constantine II's connection to Prince William of Wales?

King Constantine II was the godfather of Prince William of Wales. William was born in 1982, and Constantine held this role until his death.
Did King Constantine II ever return to Greece after his exile?

He returned to Greece briefly for visits after the monarchy was abolished, but he never reclaimed the throne. He died in Athens in 2023.
What was King Constantine II's education at Cambridge?

He studied at the University of Cambridge, though specific details of his course are not widely recorded. He also attended the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.
How was King Constantine II related to Queen Margrethe of Denmark?

Queen Margrethe of Denmark is his sister-in-law, as she is the sister of his wife, Queen Anne-Marie. He was also brother-in-law to her husband, Prince Henrik.
What is the Order of the Golden Fleece and why was Constantine a knight?

The Order of the Golden Fleece is a prestigious order of chivalry. Constantine was awarded it as a member of European royalty, and it appears multiple times in his list of honors.
Did King Constantine II have a role in the modern pentathlon?

No, but his induction into the UIPM Hall of Fame in 2017 was for his general contributions to sports, as the hall honors Olympians and leaders.

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Audited & updated by

Sophia has 4 years of editorial experience and a habit of becoming the person any team leans on when they need to know where something stands. At Famousy, she manages the content pipeline, coordinates reviews, and handles the detail work that keeps a large editorial operation from falling apart. She reads a lot of profiles in the process and she's developed a sharp instinct for when something doesn't feel right. She flags it. It usually is.

Published on March 11, 2026

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