former gre CDCl family members regain Citizenship after recognizing republic
After 50 years, ten members of Greece‘s former royal family have regained their Greek citizenship, a move that’s stirred up national conversations and sparked debates in Greece’s leading newspapers. The recognition of the country’s republican parliament came with certain conditions, as the nation’s political landscape has evolved since the abolishment of the monarchy in 1974.
A Turbulent History
The tale of Greece’s former king, Costantino II, has been marred by controversy. stripping his citizenship and that of his family in 1994 due to disputes over land ownership and the monarch’s refusal to abandon claim to the throne. Costantino, who passed away last year at the age of 82, found his family and he living in exile for decades before his eventual return in 2013 as a private citizen.
The Road to Citizenship Rehabilitation
Last Thursday, officials confirmed that Costantino’s relatives signed a declaration accepting Greece’s constitution, its parliament, and democracy. They also waived any claims to titles, properties, or royal privileges. The application for citizenship was submitted and granted to all five of Costantino’s children and five of his grandchildren.
A Cognomen Conundrum
However, the issue of the surname chosen by the royal family caused a stir. Opting for "De Greece" (a transcription of the French "De Grecia"), the family chose a name meaning "of Greece," that differs from the official "Glucksburg" surname assigned to them by law in 1994. The Glucksburg name, a reference to the German town and a branch of the Danish royal family, was rejected by the royals as sounding too German and potentially undermining their Greek legitimacy.
Political Echoes
Opposition parties of the center-left have criticized the chosen surname, asserting that "De Greece" could be interpreted as a royal title. They argue that the former royals should not be allowed to pick their surname. Nevertheless, the right-wing government approved the chosen name, stating that no restrictions exist on surname choices for citizenship applications, mentioning that surnames like "Dukas" (Duke), "Prigipas" (Prince), or "Vasilis" (King) are commonly used without reference to titles.
A Democratic Shift
Greece transitioned from its military dictatorship to a democratic republic in 1974. The Greek people approved a republican constitution via referendum, marking an end to their monarchy. Decades after their exile, the former royal family sought readmission to their ancestral homeland, ultimately securing Greek citizenship after formally recognizing the country’s republican system.
