Greek State Visit to the Vatican

Pope Paul VI received King Constantine II and Queen Anne-Marie of Greece in an Audience in the Library of the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican, just weeks after they had attended the Wedding of Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands, the Wedding of Princess Tatiana Radziwiłł, and the Wedding Ball of Prince Karl of Hesse and Countess Yvonne Szapary von Muraszombath Széchysziget und Szapár all in quick succession. The Royal Couple were in Rome for the 64th Session of the International Olympic Committee.

In April 1966, King Constantine II of the Hellenes and his wife, Queen Anne-Marie, made an official visit to the Vatican where they were received by Pope Paul VI. This historic audience took place just two years after their marriage and the King’s accession to the throne in 1964.

During the visit, Queen Anne-Marie followed the traditional Vatican protocol for papal audiences, wearing a black dress and a black lace mantilla. Ironically, less than two years after this formal visit, the royal couple would return to Rome under very different circumstances, living there in exile for several years following the 1967 military coup in Greece.

Queen Anne-Marie wore the Antique Corsage Tiara and her Diamond Necklace with her Diamond Cross.

Van Cleef & Arpels Ruby Necklace

Greek Royal Tiaras

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King Constantine II (wearing the Order of the Redeemer and Order of Saints George and Constantine) and Queen Anne Marie (in the Antique Corsage Tiara) of Greece have an audience with Pope Paul VI in the Vatican Library on this day in 1966, during a State Visit to the Vatican, the only outgoing State Visit during the King’s Reign. The Royal Couple were in Rome for the 64th Session of the International Olympic Committee.