Just days before their wedding, Nikolaos De Grèce and Chryssi Vardinogianni visited the Church of St. Nicholas Ragkavas in Plaka to receive the blessing of the Archbishop of Athens, Ieronymos. The couple arrived together at the Archbishopric, where they were welcomed by Ieronymos and had an extended conversation with him.

The religious ceremony is scheduled for Friday, February 7, at 18:00 at the Church of St. Nicholas Ragkavas, with only close family and friends in attendance, as announced by the family.

Shortly after leaving the Archbishopric, Nikolaos De Grèce and Chryssi Vardinogianni spoke with the media for the first time before their wedding. While they refrained from revealing details, they politely answered reporters’ questions. When asked if they were nervous about the ceremony, Nikolaos De Grèce responded confidently, saying that everything was ready. “Everything is set, we have no stress at all, thank you,” he said.

The couple also briefly addressed questions about their wedding guests, confirming that attendance would be limited. When asked whether the reception would take place in Piraeus, Nikolaos De Grèce humorously replied, “You know as much as we do. Goodbye. Thank you very much.”

A Wedding That Surprised Many

The announcement of their wedding came as a surprise, even to those who know them well, as no one expected them to marry so soon. However, the couple defied expectations. Their relationship has lasted seven months, and while not widely known, it was an open secret among Athens’ elite circles. They had been spotted together at private social gatherings, and some had even seen them strolling through the city.

Their first public appearance as a couple came on January 16, at the memorial service for the late King Constantine. Cameras captured them leaving together after the commemorative luncheon.

The Beginning of Their Relationship

In early June of last year, whispers about a possible romance between Nikolaos and Chryssi Vardinogianni began circulating in Athens’ social circles. The rumored couple gave no clear indication of their relationship, and their long-standing friendship only added to the uncertainty. According to sources familiar with their early days, Nikolaos and Chryssi initially chose to meet in private homes, where they could enjoy a more discreet environment without the fear of paparazzi, avoiding well-known restaurants in Athens.

By mid-summer, Chryssi Vardinogianni reportedly introduced Nikolaos to her father, Giorgos Vardinogiannis, whom he had previously known only as a close friend of hers. The couple was hosted on the “Captain’s” yacht for a short cruise around the islands, during which Nikolaos and her father had the opportunity for in-depth conversations. The same happened with her mother, who had also known Nikolaos for many years.

Shortly after the summer, the couple made their first careful public appearances. Their debut was at the Acropolis Museum in September, at a photography exhibition by Robert McCabe—Nikolaos’ passion for photography is well known—though they avoided being photographed together.

The second appearance, which further fueled speculation, came on September 28 at the wedding of Nikolaos’ sister, Theodora, to Matthew Kumar at the Metropolitan Cathedral. Chryssi Vardinogianni discreetly attended the ceremony, while Nikolaos accompanied his mother, Queen Anne-Marie. At the wedding reception that followed, the couple appeared more relaxed in the company of friends. Many believed that a wedding would soon follow, but the final decision was theirs alone. According to sources, the couple has been living together for some time now, though this has not been widely publicized.