Prince Michael of Greece and Denmark - Marriage and Children

Marriage and Children

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He married the Greek artist Marina Karella (b. 17 July 1940) on 7 February 1965, at the Royal Palace in Athens. Her parents were Theodore Karella and Ellie Chalikiopoulos. This was a morganatic marriage, which resulted in Prince Michael renouncing any rights to the throne of Greece on behalf of himself and his future descendants; this renunciation occurred prior to the marriage, after which the marriage was approved by King Constantine II

"Because of constitutional restrictions", said an article about the marriage in The New York Times, "the bride will not acquire the title of princess. She will be known as Marina, consort of Prince Michael of Greece." The article further stated that the bride was a granddaughter of a textile mill owner, whose investments raised the family to great wealth and social acceptance.

For his future descendants the use of the title, "Prince or Princess of Greece" by issue of the marriage was recognized by the king, but they do not bear the style of Royal Highness and the title Prince or Princess of Denmark, traditionally accorded to members of the Greek royal family.

The couple has two daughters:

• Princess Alexandra of Greece (born 15 October 1968), married to Nicolas Mirzayantz, by whom she has two sons, Tigran and Darius Mirzayantz.
• Princess Olga of Greece (born 17 November 1971), married to her second cousin Prince Aimone, Duke of Apulia, son of Amedeo, 5th Duke of Aosta and paternal grandson of Princess Irene of Greece and Denmark, second daughter of King Constantine I. Aimone and Olga became the parents of a son, Prince Umberto of Savoy on 7 March 2009.