Persian Realm

The Cradle of Democracy Greece was a Constitutional Monarchy with King Constantin II who reigned for more than 10 years before being toppled by a Military Junta on April 21st 1967. The Coup inspired Costa Gavras' Z.  It should be noted that Constantin's elder Sister married future King Juan Carlos of Spain who was restored as King of Spain after General Franco's death in 1976. Constantin was also close to Iran's Royal Family and befriended the Shah and Shahbanou of Iran during his own years of exile when he visited Iran regularly. His Loyalty was also expressed to the Shah of Iran during the latter Persian King's fall from power and was amongst the Rare foreign diginitaries who was present at the Shah's funeral in Cairo in 1980.

Constantin's failure in countering the Military Junta and his hesitations in fostering a successful counter Coup harmed his image in public opinion and the political class who initially supported the monarchy never quite forgave him.

The Monarchy was abolished by the Junta and led the King to Exile never to return as King but simply Greek Citizen after the fall of the Military Junta and the establishment of a Secular Republic after a national plebiscite on 8 December 1974.

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EMPIRE OF THE MIND

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The Greeks - Crucible of Civilization narrated by Liam Neeson (PBS-1999)

Introduction of the PBS series:

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A King's Story

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For the past 36 years, King Constantine of Greece has been a King in name only. In l967 every monarch's nightmare came true ousted in a midnight military coup he lost his throne, ending over 100 years of Greek monarchy. Since then he has lived in exile in search of a role. From his base in London, he travels the world rubbing shoulders with the great and good and working for "his people". His eldest son, Crown Prince Pavlos married the daughter of one of the world's richest men in a wedding that eclipsed that of Prince Charles and Princess Diana. In 2003, King Constantine won his bitter battles with successive Greek governments when the European Court of Human Rights awarded him compensation for the homes and property which had been confiscated and he finally returned to his country. It was a timely homecoming for a man who won a gold medal for Greece at the Rome Olympics and, as a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), was instrumental in winning the 2004 Games for Athens. This intimate portrait is based on unprecedented access as the King and his family return to Greece en masse for the first time in nearly forty years. King Constantine talks as never before about the events that led to his exile and his fight for justice and recognition. It includes exclusive footage inside the family home in Hampstead, behind the scenes at the Royal events and "off-duty" moments.This is the King's story. The story of a man who lost his throne but refused to give up.

Part I:

(NOTE: To Watch Double Click Here)

Part II:

(NOTE: To Watch Double Click Here)

Part III:

(NOTE: To Watch Double Click Here)

Part IV:

(NOTE: To Watch Double Click Here)

Part V:

(NOTE: To Watch Double Click Here)

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Older Documentary from 1993

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Sky News Documentary 1993:

Part I:

Part II:

Part III:

Part IV:

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Still Consulted on Events in his Home Country

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Richard Quest Interview with King Constantin:

 

Frost over the World - Civil unrest in Greece - 12 Dec 08

Related Pictory:

TITANS MEET: Shahbanou of Iran Greets Ex-King Constantine of Greece (Roudaki-Opera House, 1971)

pictory: Soraya and Richard Harris in Greece For Movie Promotion (1964)

Related Blog:

RESTORATION: Greek Constitutional Monarchy Toppled by Military Coup (April 21st, 1967)