Princess Irene of Greece and Denmark has died at age 84 in the Zarzuela Palace in Spain at 11:40 local time, marking a sombre coincidence as her passing came exactly 3 years after the death of her brother, former King Constantine. News of her death reached several family members while they were at Tatoi for a private memorial for Constantine attended by Anna Maria, Pavlos, Nikolaos and Philippos de Grez. Queen Sofia remained in Spain to care for her sister, with whom she shared a deep lifelong bond.
Her long standing health issues had limited her public presence in recent years, though she had made an appearance at the wedding of her nephew Prince Nikolaos in Plaka in February 2025. Plans will see her returned to Greece to be laid to rest beside Constantine.
Admired for her humility, intellectual curiosity and quiet approach to life, she devoted herself to music, archaeology and spiritual study while deliberately keeping her distance from public attention. Her life unfolded according to her own principles centred on compassion, nature and human connection. She never married, spent extended periods in India and focused on philosophical and spiritual pursuits. Observers often described her as a blend of gentleness and unconventional independence, guided by a desire to do what she believed was right rather than seeking visibility.
Born in Cape Town on 11 May 1942 during World War 2, she was the youngest daughter of King Paul and Queen Frederica of Greece. Her early years were shaped by displacement before the family returned to Greece shortly before her father became king. Her life remained intertwined with the fortunes of the Greek royal family, experiencing exile, political turbulence and the gradual dissolution of the monarchy.
Her musical studies began early under the renowned pianist Gina Bachauer, and in 1969 she performed alongside her teacher at Londons Royal Festival Hall, playing Bachs concerto for 2 pianos under conductor Max Rudolf. Having attended the Salem boarding school in Germany, she completed archaeology studies under Theophanous Arvanitopoulou and co authored the volume Archaeological Miscellany in 1960 with Queen Sofia and Arvanitopoulou. She also researched and wrote on ceramics in Dekelia.
Through her foundation Kosmos en Harmonia Mundo en Armonia she became active in Greece from 2003, supporting diverse social groups following the familys return to the country. Her contribution included donating her share of the compensation granted for the confiscation of royal property to programs aimed at assisting children and impoverished communities.
Those who met her remember her kindness, simplicity and warmth. Her fascination with ancient cultures was evident during her 2018 visit to Eleutherna in Crete with Queen Sofia, where she eagerly asked questions about ancient Cretan civilisation. Her gentle manner emerged in small gestures such as lighting a candle in quiet prayer or accepting wildflowers from children with visible delight. Her modesty and compassion remain central to how she will be remembered.
