The final Greek king, CONSTANTINE II, who served as Prince William’s godfather, passed away at the age of 82.
He apparently had breathing issues last week and was taken into an Athens hospital.
According to the Greek national broadcaster ERT, he passed away following a stroke.
His treatment in an intensive care unit was confirmed by staff at the exclusive Hygeia Hospital prior to his passing.
One of Prince William’s six godparents, Constantine was King Charles’ close friend and second cousin.
The former monarch was escorted by his sister, the former Queen of Spain Sofia, and other family members for his final public appearance in Athens last year while using a wheelchair.
He served as the country’s final king from 1964 until the monarchy was overthrown in 1973.
At the time of his father’s passing, Constantine was 23 years old.
He also ruled during one of the most volatile eras in Greek politics.
After organising an unsuccessful counter-coup against the ruling military junta, he was forced to depart the country in 1967.
He remained there until the monarchy was overthrown by the junta in 1973.
A year later, the Greek people again rejected monarchy in a referendum, making Constantine the final king of Greece.
Later, he lost his citizenship to Athens.
But in 2002, he and other family members were compensated with €13.7million for their former property in Greece.
Constantine and his wife had five children.
They spent several years living in north London’s Hampstead before he sold their home in 2013 and moved back to Greece.
The 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome saw Constantine compete in sailing and earn a gold medal in the Dragon class.
On the International Olympic Committee, he later served.
The former king’s health had gotten worse and he had spent a lot of time in the hospital recently due to his ongoing mobility and heart issues.
