Michel de Grece renowned historian and author, dies
Michel de Grece, the renowned historian and author, passed away at the age of 85 in a hospital in Athens, it was announced on Sunday.
He was the last surviving grandson of George I. His father, Prince Christopher, was the king’s fifth son, and his mother was Francoise d’Orleans from the House of Bourbon. Despite being of the same age, he was the uncle of former King Constantine.
Michel de Grece was married to artist Marina Karella, daughter of industrialist Theodoros Karella. They had two daughters, Princess Alexandra and Princess Olga.
He lost his father when he was just one year old and spent his youth in Morocco and Spain. Later, he studied in France but always maintained a deep love for Greece and its history. He fulfilled his military duties in the cavalry-tank corps and lived in Greece for extended periods, splitting his time between his homeland and abroad in recent years.
Michel de Grece was the only member of the Greek Royal Family who did not leave Greece after the counter-coup in December 1967, when then-King Constantine attempted to overthrow the Junta. He was also the only member of the Greek royal family who held Greek citizenship.
He achieved international acclaim as an author with numerous bestselling works that combined his historical expertise with literary narrative. His career began in 1970, and he wrote extensively on subjects ranging from Greek history and the Ottoman Empire to the Louis and the Tsars.
Details of his funeral have not yet been announced.
