Key Facts
- ✓ Princess Irene of Greece passed away at the age of 83 on January 15, 2026.
- ✓ Queen Sofía, the princess's sister, canceled her agenda to be by her side during her final days.
- ✓ A private wake was held at the Zarzuela Palace, where the princess had resided since 1981.
- ✓ The royal family attended a responso at the Orthodox Cathedral of Madrid on Saturday.
- ✓ Public memorial services are scheduled to continue with a funeral in Athens on Monday.
- ✓ Princess Irene was the youngest daughter of King Paul of Greece and Queen Frederica.
A Solemn Farewell
The Spanish royal family marked a somber weekend in Madrid, gathering to honor the memory of Princess Irene of Greece, who passed away on Thursday, January 15, at the age of 83. The rainy weather mirrored the mood as private tributes transitioned into public ceremonies.
Following her death, the princess's remains were taken to the Zarzuela Palace, the residence of King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia. There, in the quiet intimacy of the royal home, the family began their farewell.
This gathering represents the first official public tribute to the princess, setting the stage for a series of memorial events in the capital before her final journey back to Greece.
The Private Vigil
The initial moments of mourning were marked by profound discretion. Queen Sofía, the sister of the late princess, had canceled all prior engagements to remain by Irene's side during her final days.
Hours after her passing, a private wake was established within the palace grounds. This intimate setting allowed the immediate royal family to pay their respects away from the public eye.
The palace held particular significance for the princess. Irene had made the Zarzuela her home following the death of her mother, Queen Frederica, in 1981. It was here that the family gathered for their first private homage.
La discreción marcó el que se convirtió en el primer homenaje póstumo a la princesa.
Public Tributes in Madrid
As the weekend progressed, the focus shifted to public expressions of grief. On Saturday, the royal family attended a responso held at the Orthodox Cathedral of Madrid.
Attendees included Queen Sofía, King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia, and their two daughters, Princesses Leonor and Sofía. The presence of the younger generation underscored the continuity of the family's connection to their Greek heritage.
The ceremony in the capital serves as a bridge between the private grief of the family and the public acknowledgment of the princess's passing. It allows those who knew her to gather in a shared space of remembrance.
Journey to Athens
The memorial events in Spain are only the beginning of the farewell process. The royal family is scheduled to travel to Athens on Monday for the official funeral services.
Princess Irene, born on July 11, 1942, was the youngest daughter of King Paul of Greece and Queen Frederica. She was also the younger sister of Queen Sofía and the late King Constantine II of Greece.
Her life was deeply intertwined with European royalty, and her passing marks the end of an era for the Greek royal family. The funeral in Athens will likely draw dignitaries from across the continent.
The transition from the rainy streets of Madrid to the historic setting of Athens highlights the cross-cultural nature of the royal family's ties.
A Family in Mourning
Throughout the weekend, the unity of the royal family was evident. King Felipe VI stood alongside his mother, Queen Sofía, in a display of familial solidarity.
The presence of the younger princesses, Leonor and Sofía, at the Madrid ceremony provides a visual link between generations. They pay respects to an aunt they knew, witnessing the traditions of royal mourning.
The Zarzuela Palace, usually a private residence, briefly opened its doors to this solemn tradition. The atmosphere was one of quiet dignity rather than public spectacle.
As the family prepares for the flight to Greece, the memories of the weekend's services in Madrid remain a poignant prelude to the final farewell in Athens.
Looking Ahead
The passing of Princess Irene of Greece has united the Spanish and Greek royal families in shared grief. The events in Madrid served as a dignified tribute to her life and legacy.
With the funeral in Athens scheduled for Monday, the focus will shift entirely to her final resting place. The ceremonies in Spain have successfully honored her memory before her return to her homeland.
For the Spanish royal family, this period of mourning highlights the deep personal ties that bind them to their Greek roots. The legacy of Princess Irene will be remembered through these moments of quiet reflection and public tribute.
