Greece’s Last King, Constantine II, Dies at 82

Former King Constantine II of Greece, who ruled before the country became a republic in 1974, died in Athens on Tuesday at the age of 82.

Greek public broadcaster ERT said Constantine, a cousin of British monarch King Charles III, died "of a stroke."

According to Greek media, he was taken to an Athens hospital last week with breathing problems.

Constantine was born on June 2, 1940, in Athens to Prince Paul, younger brother to King George II and heir presumptive to the throne, and princess Federica of Hanover. 

Before Constantine's first birthday, the royal family was forced to flee Greece during the German invasion in World War II.

King George II returned to Greece in 1946 following a disputed referendum, but died a few months later, making Constantine the heir to King Paul I. 

King Paul I died of cancer on March 6, 1964, and Constantine succeeded him.

The young king, who had already achieved glory as an Olympic gold medalist in sailing, was very popular. However, much of this support was squandered by his active involvement in political intrigue.

After the 1967 military coup, Constantine was forced into exile after leading a failed counter-coup.

A year later, a referendum by the Government of National Unity on the abolition of the monarchy dashed any hopes Constantine had of ruling again.