Constantine II was the last King of Greece, reigning from 6 March 1964 until the abolition of the Greek monarchy on 1 June 1973 before being exiled. Constantine was born in Anthens, Greece, he was the only son of King Paul and Queen Frederica of Greece. During the second world war his family was forced into exile hence he spent his early years in Egypt and South Africa. Before he ascended to the throne he was a competitive sailor and Olympian, winning a gold medal in the 1960 Rome Olympics in th... moreConstantine II was the last King of Greece, reigning from 6 March 1964 until the abolition of the Greek monarchy on 1 June 1973 before being exiled. Constantine was born in Anthens, Greece, he was the only son of King Paul and Queen Frederica of Greece. During the second world war his family was forced into exile hence he spent his early years in Egypt and South Africa. Before he ascended to the throne he was a competitive sailor and Olympian, winning a gold medal in the 1960 Rome Olympics in the Dragon class.
Following the death of his father King Paul in 1964, he became the new King of Greece at age 23. His reign was plagued with political instability that led to the Colonels' Coup of 21 April 1967. The coup did not remove him as head of state however he was left with little room to maneuver. He then inaugurated the junta which suffered an unsuccessful countercoup which forced him to flee the country in December of 1967. He lived most of his life in exile only to return in 2008. He will be remembered as a King without a crown, a monarch without a kingdom.
