Greece’s Prince Nikolaos and Princess Tatiana announce shock divorce

Athens: Greece’s Prince Nikolaos and Princess Tatiana have announced their ‘amicable’ separation after 14 years of marriage just weeks after appearing together at a memorial service for the prince’s father, King Constantine.

The 54-year-old Prince is the son of Constantine II of Greece – the last king of Greece after it abolished its monarchy in 1973 and Prince William’s godfather.

He married Venezuelan-born Princess Tatiana, 43, in August 2010, and the pair had only been pictured together at a thanksgiving service for his father in Windsor in February. Constantine died in Athens last year of a stroke at the age of 82.

After almost 14 years of marriage, the pair quietly and unexpectedly announced their separation yesterday. News of the split was published in a statement on the Greek’s royal family website.

Royalty from around the world, including the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden and Spain, attended their wedding on the Greek island of Spetses, the Telegraph reported.

The statement read: ‘We wish to inform you of a significant and heartfelt decision made by TRH Prince Nikolaos and Princess Tatiana.

‘After fourteen years of marriage, they have chosen to amicably dissolve their union.

‘This decision was reached with great care and mutual respect, reflecting the depth of their appreciation for one another and the moments they have shared.

‘Their future interactions will continue to be guided by these same principles of respect and understanding, as they transition into a relationship rooted in a strong friendship.

‘They will continue to live and build their lives in Greece, a place they both call home. The Family will always support them.

‘We warmly thank you for your understanding and for respecting their privacy during this time.’

The couple met during a ski holiday in Switzerland in 2003 and announced their engagement six years later – with the wedding one of the high society events of the year.

Shortly after their wedding, Princess Tatiana left her job as an events’ organiser for designer Diana Von Furstenberg.

Greek media has reported murmurs of estrangement in recent months – with the appearance at the Windsor memorial service in February the last time they were seen together in public.

The couple do not have any children. Prince Nikolaos is the third child of King Constantine II, Greece’s last reigning monarch, who passed away on January 10 last year after suffering a stroke.

Prince Nikolaos and Princess Tatiana were pictured together in February this year for the late King of Greece’s Thanksgiving service at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle.

Both wearing black, they paid their respects with members of the Greek royal family, the British royal family and others.

King Constantine was Prince William’s godfather – but the Prince of Wales pulled out of the memorial service held for the Greek King in February citing ‘personal reasons’ – as Princess Catherine continued to recover from planned abdominal surgery.

Constantine II was Greece’s last king, reigning for three years from 1964 before a military coup, and then a referendum, led to Greece becoming a republic.

His failed attempt to overthrow the military actors 1967 coup forced him to flee the country and he remained monarch in absentia until the monarchy was formally abolished in 1973.

He was King Charles’ second cousin, and first cousin once removed of the late Prince Phillip – meaning he and senior royals enjoyed a strong bond.

He and the Duke of Edinburgh were close friends and sailing partners, and these close ties with the UK monarchy made the country a prime country for relocation as he sought refuge overseas following the 1967 coup.

For most of his years in exile, he lived in Hampstead Garden Suburb, London, and was said to be especially close to Charles, who made Constantine godfather to his first son – William.

In 2013, more than 40 years after leaving his homeland, Constantine returned to live out his final years in Greece, dying in Athens. Prince Nikolaos is one of his five children – Alexia, Pavlos, Theodora, and Philippos.