Paul of Greece - Family and Early Life

Family and Early Life

Paul was born in Athens, the third son of King Constantine I of Greece and his wife, Princess Sophia of Prussia. He was trained as a naval officer.

On 9 January 1938, Paul married Frederika of Hanover at Athens. They had three children:

  • Sophia, Queen of Spain (born 1938)
  • Constantine II, King of the Hellenes (born 1940)
  • Irene, Princess of Greece and Denmark (born 1942)

Before his marriage he is alleged to have invited the homosexual literary muse, Denham Fouts, on a cruise of the Aegean Sea, perhaps because they were lovers. However, Fouts's friend John B. L. Goodwin said Fouts often made up stories about his life, and literary critic Katherine Bucknell thought many of the tales about him were myth.

From 1917 to 1920, Paul lived in exile with his father, Constantine I. From 1923 to 1935, and again from 1941 to 1946, he lived in exile again, this time with his brother, George II. During most of World War II, when Greece was under German occupation, he was with the Greek government-in-exile in London and Cairo. From Cairo, he broadcast messages to the Greek people.

Read more about this topic:  Paul Of Greece

Famous quotes containing the words family and, family, early and/or life:

    If you are a genius and unsuccessful, everybody treats you as if you were a genius, but when you come to be successful, when you commence to earn money, when you are really successful, then your family and everybody no longer treats you like a genius, they treat you like a man who has become successful.
    Pablo Picasso (1881–1973)

    It is in the love of one’s family only that heartfelt happiness is known.
    Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826)

    Early rising is no pleasure; early drinking’s just the measure.
    François Rabelais (1494–1553)

    If I had no duties, and no reference to futurity, I would spend my life in driving briskly in a post-chaise with a pretty woman.
    Samuel Johnson (1709–1784)