Family and Early Life
Alexander was born on 1 August 1893 (20 July in the Julian calendar), the second son of Crown Prince Constantine of Greece (1868–1923) and his wife Princess Sophia of Prussia (1870–1932). His father was the eldest son and heir-apparent of King George I of Greece (1845–1913) and his wife Grand Duchess Olga Constantinovna of Russia (1851–1926); his mother was the daughter of Emperor Frederick III of Germany (1831–1888) and his wife Princess Victoria of the United Kingdom (1840–1901).
Alexander therefore had the genealogical peculiarity of being a great-grandson of both King Christian IX of Denmark, nicknamed the grandfather of Europe, and of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom, nicknamed the grandmother of Europe. He was also the nephew of Emperor Wilhelm II of Germany and a cousin of Emperor Nicholas II of Russia and King George V of the United Kingdom.
Read more about this topic: Alexander Of Greece
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