We convey with heavy hearts the terrible news that Michel de Grece, the uncle of King Charles, passed away at the age of 85. With this, a significant chapter in European royal history comes to a close.
The Greek daily Ekathimerini reported that on July 28, historian and writer Michel de Grece passed suddenly at a hospital in Athens. The specifics of his funeral service have not yet been disclosed. Known as Prince Michael, he was closely associated with the British royal family and the last surviving grandchild of Greek King George I.
Michel was an uncle of King Charles III as well as the late Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh’s first cousin. In addition to his royal ancestry, Michel was well-known for leading an unusual personal life. He gained notoriety in 1965 when he abdicated his royal powers to wed the commoner and artist Marina Karella.
Michel’s life took a drastic shift after making this important choice. Five grandkids and two daughters, Princess Alexandra and Princess Olga, were born to the marriage.
Michel made the decision to remain in his native Greece in spite of the political unrest there. Michel’s commitment to Greece never wavered, not even during the abortive countercoup attempt in 1967 by then-King Constantine to topple the ruling military Junta.
Michel’s time spent in Greece had a significant impact on his art. He was a historian who published a great deal on European royalty, the Ottoman Empire, and Greek history. His enduringly significant publications serve as a testament to his enthusiasm for history.
In addition to his historical research, Michel graciously provided his followers with an insight into his personal life on his Instagram page by sharing anecdotes about his family, life, and travels. He voiced his opinions about the British monarchy in 2021.
Once, when talking about Charles, Michel showed understanding for the difficulties the King goes through. “I don’t know if he’s perfect or not,” he remarked.It’s my understanding that he is not able to perform much better than he is already doing.I believe he gives it his all. Also, [Queen Camilla].
It’s really challenging. Michel expressed his lack of jealousy towards Charles’s status, saying, “I really don’t feel sorry for him; what a poor guy.” And he performs it with humour and dedication. She as well. However, I would really detest that job.
Michel also noted that “fighting each other, hating each other” is a common occurrence in many families today. He did, however, declare, “I created my own family, whom I adore – my wife, children, and grandchildren,” expressing his profound love for his own family. For me, that is the most crucial factor.
My life has been filled with encounters and learnings. And my curiosity never goes away. I’m now learning about technology from my grandchildren. It’s amazing. I’ve had an exciting life. It is still the same.
With Michel’s death, we are saying goodbye to an incredible period of European royalty and history. His lasting legacy and distinctive personal decisions have ensured that his influence on Greek and European royal history will be recognised for many years to come.