On This Day: Marriage of Paul and Frederica Takes Place In Athens

January 9, 1938: On a rainy day in Athens, Hereditary Prince Paul of Greece married his German fiancee, Princess Frederica of Hanover.

The couple had announced their engagement in September 1937, after a two-year-long romance that began in Florence in 1935. Paul had proposed to Frederica while visiting Berlin during the 1936 Olympic Games. They were first cousins once removed, both descendants of the British Queen Victoria and the Danish King Christian IX.

Prince Paul and Princess Frederica wed at the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Annunciation in Athens in front of numerous royal relations. Frederica wore the diamond tiara of her late mother-in-law, Queen Sophie, and the Hanoverian Bridal Crown.

After welcoming three children – Sophia, Constantine and Irene – the Hereditary Prince and Princess became the King and Queen of the Hellenes in 1947.

Filed under Germany, Greece, Historical Royals
Tagged Frederica of Hanover, House of Hanover, King Paul of Greece, Wedding Anniversary.