A legal challenge has been submitted to Greece’s Council of State (StE) by Panagiotis Lazaratos, a professor at the University of Athens Law School, aiming to annul the recognition of the surname “De Grece” and the associated granting of Greek citizenship to ten members of the former royal family.

The Case Before the Council of State

The case is scheduled to be heard today by the seven-member composition of the 4th Chamber of the Council of State, under Vice President Spyridoula Chryssikopoulou, with rapporteur Haido Evangelou.

Professor Lazaratos is challenging decisions by the Minister of the Interior, which granted Greek citizenship to members of the former royal family under Law 2215/1994 and registered them in the Municipality of Athens. Opposing him in court is Constantinos Lidorikis, the royal family’s legal representative and former associate of Alexandros Lykourezos.

Constitutional Objections to the Surname “De Grece”

Lazaratos argues that the surname “De Grece” (of Greece) violates Article 4, paragraph 7 of the Greek Constitution, which explicitly states that “titles of nobility or distinction shall neither be conferred nor recognized for Greek citizens.”

He contends that:

• The surname selection is not a matter of personal will, but subject to public order, in line with the principle of family name continuity as prescribed in the Greek Civil Code (Articles 1505 and 1506).
• The name “De Grece” implies a noble status and class origin tied to monarchy, potentially offending democratic principles and public sentiment.
• It evokes the memory and prestige of the monarchy, since members of the royal family had no surname and were commonly referred to as “of Greece.”
• The use of “De Grece” may pave the way for privileged treatment compared to ordinary citizens.
• Linguistically, the name suggests “King of Greece” or “Prince,” with the implication of a deliberately omitted title, violating the constitutional principles of equality and democracy.

Citizenship and Electoral Concerns

Professor Lazaratos also warns that, by acquiring Greek citizenship:

• These individuals could participate in national or local elections as voters, thereby influencing electoral outcomes, despite not having acquired citizenship in a lawful or typical manner.
• This, he argues, undermines the principle of popular sovereignty, as defined in the Constitution.

The Ten Members of the Former Royal Family in Question

According to the annulment application, the surname “De Grece” has been recognized for the following individuals:

1. Achileas-Andreas De Grece, son of Pavlos and Marie-Chantal
2. Alexia De Grece, daughter of Constantine and Anne-Marie
3. Pavlos De Grece, son of Constantine and Anne-Marie
4. Nikolaos De Grece, son of Constantine and Anne-Marie
5. Odysseas-Kimon De Grece, son of Pavlos and Marie-Chantal
6. Constantine-Alexios De Grece, son of Pavlos and Marie-Chantal
7. Aristidis-Stavros De Grece, son of Pavlos and Marie-Chantal
8. Theodora De Grece, daughter of Constantine and Anne-Marie
9. Philippos De Grece, son of Constantine and Anne-Marie
10. Maria-Olympia De Grece, daughter of Pavlos and Marie-Chantal