Who are the ten “De Grece”: Their surname recognition to be judged by Greece’s supreme Administrative Court

A legal petition has been filed with Greece’s Council of State (StE) by Panagiotis Lazaratos, a professor at the University of Athens Law School. The petition seeks to overturn the approval of the surname “De Grece” and the subsequent granting of Greek citizenship to ten members of the former royal family.

Case Hearing in the Council of State

The matter is set to be reviewed today by a seven-member panel from the 4th Chamber of the Council of State, presided over by Vice President Spyridoula Chryssikopoulou and rapporteur Haido Evangelou.

Professor Lazaratos is contesting the decisions made by the Minister of the Interior, which enabled Greek citizenship for former royal family members under Law 2215/1994 and their registration in the Municipality of Athens. Representing the royal family in court is Constantinos Lidorikis, their legal counsel and former associate of Alexandros Lykourezos.

Constitutional Challenges to the Surname “De Grece”

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

He asserts that:

• The choice of surname is not merely a personal preference, but must adhere to public order, aligning with the principle of family name continuity found in the Greek Civil Code (Articles 1505 and 1506).
• The surname “De Grece” suggests a noble status linked to monarchy, which could undermine democratic values and public sentiment.
• This name evokes the heritage and status of the monarchy, as members of the royal family were historically referred to as “of Greece” without a formal surname.
• The adoption of “De Grece” may create expectations of privileged treatment in comparison to regular citizens.
• From a linguistic perspective, the name implies titles such as “King of Greece” or “Prince,” suggesting a deliberately omitted title and infringing upon constitutional principles of equality and democracy.

Concerns Over Citizenship and Elections

Professor Lazaratos warns that granting Greek citizenship to these individuals could allow them to:

• Take part in national or local elections, thus impacting electoral results, despite acquiring citizenship outside standard legal channels.
• This situation, he argues, compromises the principle of popular sovereignty, as outlined in the Constitution.

The Ten Individuals from the Former Royal Family

The annulment request specifically names the individuals associated with the surname “De Grece”:

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

Conclusion

This case raises significant constitutional, legal, and symbolic issues regarding national identity, the remnants of monarchy, and the constraints of personal choice in naming. The court’s ruling will establish a critical precedent concerning the permissibility of aristocratic or monarchic references in post-monarchy Greece.