The Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens has once again hosted this Saturday morning the members of the Greek royal family who have attended the so-called 40-day funeral mass in memory of the late King Constantine II of the Hellenes. It has been a very intimate farewell ceremony without so much pomp or the large presence of members of all the European dynasties who wanted to say goodbye to the dethroned monarch at the funeral held in the same Athenian temple last January.
Queen Sofía, sister of Constantine II -to whom she has been very close throughout her life- and her sister Princess Irene of Greece have been present at this mass celebrated 40 days after the death of the former sovereign, following a centenary tradition, along with the entire Greek royal family, headed by Queen Anna Maria, Constantine's widow, and the new head of the House, her son Prince Paul, who returned to Athens on Friday with his wife, Marie Chantal. Also present in Athens are the Infantas Elena and Cristina, who in this case have not been accompanied by their children. The two have been very attentive to their aunt Irene, whom she has seen as especially delicate.
This emotional ceremony has enormous meaning for Orthodox believers, since it exalts how the soul of the deceased person ascends to heaven to meet the Father. Unlike the funeral in January, it has not been broadcast on television. Despite this, great media expectation has been repeated, with special coverage by numerous Greek media that pay great attention to the event this Saturday. In January, the authorities of the Greek Republic, who refused to give Constantine's funeral any official honours, were surprised by the enormous displays of affection from citizens in Athens for the dynasty.
Approximately 250 people have been able to access the temple, many close friends of King Constantine and members of associations and organizations with which he was closely linked, such as the International Olympic Committee -of which he was an honorary member-, the International Sailing Federation, the Greek Shipowners Consortium or the famous Round Square schools organization, created by Constantine II in 1966.
Dozens of curious people have crowded in the vicinity of the Metropolitan Cathedral to see the arrival of those attending the 40-day mass. Queen Sofía received a lot of applause when she got out of the car in which she arrived at the temple, in rigorous mourning. She has not stopped wearing black in all the public events that she has starred in our country since her brother died.
This same Saturday, those attending this mass will share a coffee afterwards at the Niarchos Foundation. And the Greek royal family together with their closest guests will have dinner tonight at the Hotel Great Britain.
And tomorrow, Sunday, the family will participate in a memorial service in the royal cemetery of Tatoi, where the remains of Constantine rest together with those of his parents, Kings Pablo and Federica, as well as many other members of the dynasty.
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