Royal Dinner at the Hotel Grande Bretagne in Athens, 1962

60 years ago, in May 1962, European Royalty and Aristocracy gathered in the city of Athens for a week full of celebrations, culminating in the Catholic and Orthodox Wedding Ceremonies of Juan Carlos, Prince of Asturias, and Princess Sofia of Greece and Denmark. On one of the evenings, the distinguished guests enjoyed a Soirée at the Hotel Grande Bretagne, where many of the Royals were staying for the week.

The then Crown Prince Constantine of Greece welcomed some of the distinguished royal guests arriving from the Royal Palace of Athens to join the ones already staying at the Hotel, including the husband and wife-to-be, Prince Juan Carlos and Princess Sofia (wearing her Shell Pendant and the Pearl Brooch and the Diamond and Pearl Bracelet from the late Infanta Isabel), the groom’s parents, the Count and Countess of Barcelona, as well as his grandmother, Queen Victoria Eugenie, accompanied by Queen Ingrid of Denmark (wearing Queen Josefina’s Diamond Brooches) and her three daughters. Other guests arriving from the Palace included the bride’s parents, King Paul and Queen Frederica of Greece (wearing her Diamond and Pearl Necklace Tiara and Queen Sophie’s Ruby Brooch) and the bride and groom’s sisters, Princess Irene of Greece (celebrating her 20th Birthday), Infanta Pilar and Infanta Margarita, while guests already at the hotel included King Olav V of Norway, King Michael and Queen Anne of Romania, Prince Rainier III and Princess Grace of Monaco, Princess Alexandra of Kent, Princess Gina of LiechtensteinPrincess Sophie of Greece and Prince George William of Hanover, and Prince Karl of Hesse.

Royal Dinner at the Hotel Grande Bretagne | Wedding Ball | Wedding Ball at the Royal Palace fo Athens | Royal Party on ‘Cape St. Vincent’ | Wedding of Prince Juan Carlos of Spain and Princess Sophia of Greece

This article was written by assistant editor, David Rato, who runs the Spanish Royal Jewels account on Instagram!

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2 thoughts on “Royal Dinner at the Hotel Grande Bretagne in Athens, 1962

  1. After such a time of Youth and Beauty… the Spanish King so mistreated his faithful consort.

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