Royal Guests and Godparents gathered from around Europe to celebrate the Christening of Prince Philippos of Greece and Denmark at St Sophia’s Cathedral in London on this day in 1986, 40 years ago, ahead of a Gala at Claridge’s Hotel in London!
Prince Philippos of Greece and Denmark, youngest of the five children of King Constantine II of Greece and Princess Anne-Marie of Denmark, was christened at St Sophia’s Cathedral in London.
Prince Philippos’ godparents include King Juan Carlos of Spain (uncle), Princess Benedikte of Denmark and Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg (aunt), the Duke of Edinburgh, the Princess of Wales, Infanta Elena of Spain (cousin), Prince Michael of Greece (cousin), the Prince of Preslav, and Countess Mountbatten.
Royal Guests and Relatives in attendance included Queen Ingrid of Denmark (grandmother), Queen Sofia of Spain (aunt), Grand Duke Jean and Grand Duchess Joséphine Charlotte of Luxembourg, Prince George William of Hanover (great-uncle) and Princess Sophie of Greece and Hanover.
In the evening, Queen Elizabeth II led the Royal Guests and Relatives at the Greek Royal Family’s Gala at Claridge’s Hotel in London on this day in 40 years ago, to celebrate the 40th Birthday of Queen Anne-Marie, the 21st Birthday Princess Alexia, and the Christening of Prince Philippos
King Constantine II and Queen Anne-Marie of Greece hosted a spectacular Gala for Royal Guests and Relatives from around Europe at Claridge’s Hotel in London, to celebrate Queen Anne-Marie of Greece’s 40th Birthday, Princess Alexia’s 21st Birthday, and the Christening of Prince Philippos. Exactly 33 years earlier, King Constantine’s parents hosted a Return Banquet at Claridge’s Hotel at the end of their State Visit to Britain in 1963.
Constantine has thrived for decades at the pinnacle of international society, socializing with Europe’s royals (most of them his relatives). In 1986, to celebrate Queen Anne-Marie’s 40th birthday, Constantine took over Claridge’s Hotel in London for a ball attended by Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip (Constantine’s cousin), along with Prince Charles and Princess Diana, King Juan Carlos of Spain and his wife Queen Sofía (Constantine’s sister), Queen Margrethe of Denmark (his sister-in-law), and virtually all the other royals of Europe. The glittering crowd danced to Lester Lanin’s orchestra until dawn, when breakfast was served.
Queen Elizabeth II (wearing the King Khalid Diamond Necklace)
Crown Princess Sonja of Norway (in her Modern Gold Suite)
The Prince and Princess of Wales (wearing her Pearl and Sapphire Choker)
Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson
The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester (in her Diamond Earrings)
The Duchess of Kent and Lady Helen
Princess Alexandra of Kent (wearing her Diamond Bracelet)
Prince and Princess Michael of Kent (in Princess Marina’s Diamond Circle Earrings)
