Prince Michael of Greece and Denmark Dies at 85
Prince Michael of Greece and Denmark, a renowned historian and author who wrote under the pseudonym Michel de Grece, passed away at the age of 85 on Sunday at a hospital in Athens.
The only surviving grandson of King George I, Prince Michael was the son of Prince Christopher, the king's fifth son, and Francoise d'Orleans of the House of Bourbon. Although born in the same year as the former King Constantine, he was his uncle.
Prince Michael married the artist Marina Karella, daughter of industrialist Theodoros Karella, and together they had two daughters, Princess Alexandra and Princess Olga. He lost his father at the tender age of one and grew up in Morocco and Spain, later studying in France. Despite his travels, Prince Michael always held a deep affection for Greece and its history, fulfilling his military service with the cavalry-tank corps. He spent extended periods in Greece throughout his life, dividing his time between his homeland and other countries in recent years.
He was the sole member of the Greek Royal Family to remain in Greece following the counter-coup in December 1967, when King Constantine attempted to overthrow the Junta. He was also the only member of the family to hold Greek citizenship.
Prince Michael gained international recognition as an author, publishing dozens of bestselling works that combined his historical knowledge with compelling narrative. His writing career began in 1970, and his works encompassed a vast array of subjects, from Greek and Ottoman history to biographies of Louis and the Tsars.
Details of Prince Michael's funeral have not yet been announced.
