King Paul

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Paul, King of the Hellenes (Greek Παύλος, Βασιλεύς των Ελλήνων December 14, 1901 - March 6, 1964), was King of Greece from 1947 to 1964. He succeeded his brother, George II, as king during a civil war between Greek Communists and supporters of the monarchy. From 1917 to 1920, Paul lived in exile with his father, Constantine I. From 1923 to 1935 and from 1941 to 1946, he lived in exile again, this time with his brother, George II. Paul was born in Athens, and was trained as a naval officer.

Reign: 1947-64. During most of WW II, when Greece was under German occupation, he was with the Greek government-in-exile in London and Cairo. From Cairo, he broadcast messages to the Greek people. He returned to Greece in 1946 and succeeded to the throne in 1947, on the death of his brother, George II. His reign was rather eventful as Greece joined NATO in 1949, the EOKA struggle broke out in Cyprus in April of 1955 and the riots against the Greeks in Istanbul broke out in September of that same year.

He was married on January 9, 1938, to Frederika of Hanover They had three children:

  1. Queen Sofia of Spain
  2. King Constantine II of the Hellenes
  3. Princess Irene of Greece and Denmark


Preceded by:
King George II
King of the Hellenes
19471964
Succeeded by:
King Constantine II