Athens hosted the funeral of Princess Irene of Greece, bringing together members of the royal families of Greece and Spain. The farewell ceremony was held in the majestic setting of the Cathedral, after which the funeral procession made its way to Tatoi Cemetery, where one of the most respected figures of the Greek monarchy was laid to rest. However, not all family members were able or willing to attend this significant event.
Particular attention was drawn to the absence of Marie-Chantal Miller, wife of Crown Prince Pavlos, and two of their children. During such a difficult time for Queen Sofia, who had lost not only her sister but also her close friend Tatiana Radziwill recently, the lack of support from her closest relatives was keenly felt. This immediately raised questions in royal circles and among the public: why didn’t Marie-Chantal fly to Athens?
Family circumstances
Pavlos of Greece explained that his wife could not leave New York due to her mother Maria Clara Pesantes’s recent surgery. According to him, caring for her mother’s health was more important than even such a significant family event. Their two children were also unable to come: Prince Odysseus was busy with his studies, while Princess Olympia was occupied with work. The official explanations sounded convincing, but not everyone believed it was just a coincidence.
Greek and Spanish media were quick to suggest that the reasons behind this decision might not be limited to family matters, but could also stem from old grievances. Relations between Marie-Chantal and Spanish Queen Letizia have been strained for years. Their last public encounter in Athens in January 2023, following the funeral of King Constantine, appeared to signal a reconciliation. Yet now, doubts have resurfaced.
Королевские разногласия
The conflict between Marie-Chantal Miller and Queen Letizia dates back to the summer of 2010. During a ceremony at Palma de Mallorca Cathedral, a heated argument erupted between Queen Sofia and Letizia, attracting attention across Europe. Marie-Chantal publicly criticized Letizia’s behavior, stating that ‘no grandmother deserves to be treated that way’ and accused her of hypocrisy. These remarks marked the start of a cold war between the two royal families.
Since then, relations between the couples—Felipe and Letizia on one side, Marie-Chantal and Pavlos on the other—have noticeably cooled. For years, they have avoided appearing together in public, and if they did meet, they tried not to be photographed side by side. Even at Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral, they were not seen together.
Reconciliation or illusion
In January 2023, at King Constantine’s funeral, it seemed that the ice between Maria-Chantal and Letizia had begun to thaw. Photos of them together, holding hands and smiling at each other, were widely circulated by the European media. Many saw this as a sign of long-awaited reconciliation. However, Maria-Chantal’s absence from Irina’s funeral called the sincerity of that gesture into question once again.
Royal watchers had been waiting for a new meeting between the two women to see if they had truly made peace. But fate had other plans: Maria-Chantal remained in New York, while Letizia appeared in Athens without her longtime rival. The press did not get the coveted photos, and the public was left without answers to their questions.
Secrets and Expectations
In his address, Pavlos of Greece emphasized that Irina had been a symbol of wisdom, loyalty and love for the family. Her passing left a void that cannot be filled. But it is in such moments that the support of loved ones matters most. Maria-Chantal Miller’s absence at Irina’s farewell was not only a personal drama, but also sparked new speculation about the dynamics within the royal houses.
It remains unclear what truly lay behind this decision—family circumstances or unresolved conflicts. One thing is certain: royal intrigue continues to fascinate the public, and every meeting or absence from important events fuels further discussion and rumors.
RUSSPAIN reminds readers that Marie-Chantal Miller is the wife of Crown Prince Pavlos of Greece and one of the most prominent figures in European aristocracy. Born in London, she grew up in the United States and was educated in Switzerland. Her mother, María Clara Pesantes, is originally from Ecuador. Marie-Chantal is known not only as a member of the royal family, but also as a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist. Her marriage to Pavlos has been one of the most talked-about unions among European monarchies in recent decades.
