Princess Irene of Greece Laid to Rest in Athens

The Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens was draped in mourning this Monday as dignitaries and family gathered to bid a final farewell to Princess Irene of Greece. The princess, who passed away on January 15 at the age of 83, was honored in a state funeral that marked the end of a remarkable life.

Her journey to her final resting place began in Madrid, where a requiem mass was celebrated the day prior at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Saints Andrew and Demetrius. From there, her remains were flown to the Greek capital on Sunday afternoon, bringing her home for the last time.

The funeral proceedings commenced in Spain, where Princess Irene had spent much of her life. A requiem mass was held at the Cathedral of Saints Andrew and Demetrius in Madrid, a spiritual home for the Greek Orthodox community in the Spanish capital. This service served as a prelude to the main ceremony in Greece.

Following the Madrid service, her mortal remains were transported to Athens. The arrival on Sunday evening set the stage for a day of national mourning and reflection. The transfer from Spain to Greece symbolized her return to her ancestral roots and the land of her birth.

• Requiem mass held in Madrid
• Remains transported to Athens on Sunday
• Arrival at the Metropolitan Cathedral on Monday

The Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens hosted a gathering of European royalty. The Spanish Royal Family attended in near-full strength to pay their respects to the princess, who was a beloved member of the extended family. Members of the Hellenic royal family were also present, uniting in grief and remembrance.

The ceremony was marked by a notable absence of King Juan Carlos I of Spain and Princess Marie-Chantal. Despite these missing figures, the congregation represented a significant cross-section of European nobility, all gathered to honor the life of the princess.

Her last wish was to be buried in the royal cemetery of Tatoi, alongside her parents and her brother, King Constantine.

The central purpose of the ceremony was the fulfillment of Princess Irene's last will. She had expressed a clear desire to be laid to rest in the royal cemetery of Tatoi, located north of Athens. This historic site is the traditional burial ground for the Greek royal family.

Burial at Tatoi places her beside her parents, King Paul and Queen Frederica, and her brother, King Constantine. The choice of Tatoi underscores her enduring connection to the Greek monarchy and her lineage. It is a final reunion with her family in their ancestral home.

• Location: Royal Cemetery of Tatoi
• Proximity: Beside parents and King Constantine
• Significance: Fulfillment of expressed last wish

The passing of Princess Irene of Greece marks the end of an era for the Greek royal family. Her life, spanning 83 years, was intertwined with the history of both Greece and Spain. The dignified proceedings in Athens provided a fitting tribute to her status and heritage.

As she is laid to rest at Tatoi, the focus shifts to her legacy as a member of the royal family and her place in European history. The ceremony served not only as a goodbye but as a celebration of a life that bridged two nations and two royal houses.