Crowd boos government officials at funeral of Greece’s last king

As they entered the Athens Metropolitan Cathedral on Monday (January 16) for the funeral of former King Constantine of Greece, Greek government officials were booed by a crowd gathered outside.

The funeral for Constantine drew tens of thousands of mourners who lined up for hours to pay their respects at a nearby chapel where his body lay in state under a Greek flag.

People in the crowd booed government representatives as they entered the funeral, including Culture Minister Lina Mendoni and Deputy Prime Minister Pagagiotis Pikrammenos.

As a result, many of Constantine II’s loyal subjects feel betrayed that he was not given a proper state burial.

After a Greek referendum in 1974 rejected the monarchy, Constantine, a second cousin of Britain’s King Charles and godfather to heir Prince William, spent most of his life in exile. Last week, at the age of 82, he passed away at an Athens hospital.

Constantine will be laid to rest in Tatoi, alongside his family members. (Reuters)