British state broadcaster BBC was met with harsh criticism on Sunday when it interviewed a former Greek royal, dubbing him “His Royal Highness the Crown Prince of Greece”.
This caused an uproar not only on social media, but also on many Greek news websites, who complained of a “historical mistake” as the monarchy in Greece was abolished in a referendum in December 1974 and officially abolished in the summer of 1975.
Pavlos Glücksburg is the firstborn son of the former King Constantine and a second cousin of the late Queen Elizabeth II. However, according to the Greek Constitution, he officially lost his royal title in 1974 after not one but two referendums, one of which was held under the junta regime.
Greek media talk about gaffes companiesnoting that “BBC […] resurrected the monarchy in Greece.”
Some mainstreamers such as skyare wondering if this was a mistake of the authors of the channel or it was Pavlos who introduced himself in this capacity.
Social networks fired up by angry Greeks and foreigners who reminded the BBC that Greece had been a republic for almost half a century.
Come on, BBC. Greece long abolished it’s monarchy, so please respect that.
My Greeks sons just asked “who is that guy? Greece doesn’t have kings and princes.” pic.twitter.com/GXnekaAbnh
— Damian Mac Con Uladh (@damomac) September 18, 2022
BBC. Greece abolished its monarchy long ago, so respect that. My Greek sons just asked, “Who is this guy? There are no kings and princes in Greece.”
Some have wondered why the Greek government is not responding to “Crown Prince Pavlos”. The fact is that other British media used the BBC video or interviewed “Crown Prince Pavlos” – so Channel4News, falsely informing the British public that Greece has a monarchy.
“I’m sure he will feel that these could be in their rightful place.”
Pavlos, the Crown Prince of Greece, tells @cathynewman he “would love to see” the Elgin Marbles “come home” and discusses whether King Charles could play a role in that. pic.twitter.com/pwnBrCu3xm
— Channel 4 News (@Channel4News) September 18, 2022
“I’m sure he will feel that they can be in their rightful place.” Pavlos, Crown Prince of Greece, writes @cathynewmanthat he “would like to see” the Elgin Marbles “come home”, and discusses whether King Charles can play a role in this.
Fake it until you make it. Greece, Germany, Austria, Portugal, France (who would have thought!) are monarchies no more but Repub.lics
It may come as a shocker, I know.
The Elgin marbles is a noble cause, though.— Thomais Papaioannou (@ThomaisERT_RIK) September 19, 2022
Greece, Germany, Austria, Portugal, France (who would have thought!) are no longer monarchies, but republics. It might be shocking, I know. Nevertheless, the Elgin marble is a noble cause.
“I’m sure he will feel that these could be in their rightful place.”
Pavlos, the Crown Prince of Greece, tells @cathynewman he “would love to see” the Elgin Marbles “come home” and discusses whether King Charles could play a role in that. pic.twitter.com/pwnBrCu3xm
— Channel 4 News (@Channel4News) September 18, 2022
The other one I saw was speaking on the BBC as “Crown Prince of Greece” and tell me now what prevents me from speaking on CNN as “Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, the first of my name, the king of the Andals and the first people, the protector of the kingdom”??? ?.
There is no “Crown Prince of Greece” and there hasn’t been one for almost half a century. This funny guy could as well call himself “Batman”.
— Yiorgos Yiacos (@YiorgosYiacos) September 19, 2022
There is no “Crown Prince of Greece” and has not been for almost half a century. This funny guy might as well call himself “Batman”.
The National Hellenic Museum is now proud to be open with public hours and new exhibits such as “Resilience” by HRH Prince Nikolaos. @skylightchaser
Join Us Today (Saturday) and Sunday (10 AM to 4 PM)
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.#hellenic #nationalhellenicmuseum #chicago #open #museum pic.twitter.com/n0aGQSM9Rv— Hellenic Museum (@HellenicMuseum) September 17, 2022
The National Greek Museum is now proud to be open with a public clock and new exhibits such as “Resilience”. His Royal Highness Prince Nikolaos. @skylightchaser Join us today (Saturday) and Sunday (10:00-16:00)
The fact is that Greece is a republic, a unitary parliamentary republic, and it has no kings and queens, princes and crown princes, titles of His Royal Highness and the like. Although the former royal family of Greece insists on the use of such titles, referring to … the Treaty of Vienna (1815), as outlined on their official website.
The Treaty of Vienna allowed certain monarchs in Europe, whose small kingdoms were dissolved as a result of it, to retain their titles. In this sense, local former kings believe that they have the right to retain their royal status for life.
What is very interesting Treaty of Vienna was signed long before Greece was forced to become a monarchy in 1832. Exactly London Conference 1832 years of the Three Great Powers abolished the first Hellenic Republic after the Revolution of Independence in 1821 against the Ottoman occupation.
Former Greek royalty may believe in the principle of the Treaty of Vienna because of their ancestors in the German aristocracy. However, this is an insult to the Greek people and the Constitution.
PS The correct title on the BBC should have been “His Royal Highness, Former Crown Prince Pavlos” or simply “His Royal Highness, Crown Prince of Nowhere”.
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