Princess Irene of Greece, younger sister of Spain’s Queen Sofia, has died aged 83.
The beloved royal died at 11.40am on Thursday 15 January after a long and progressive illness. The news was announced in official statements from the Greek and Spanish royal families.
“Their Majesties the King and Queen and Her Majesty Queen Sofia regret to announce the passing of Her Royal Highness Princess Irene of Greece,” read a statement from the Spanish royal house obtained by HELLO! magazine.
Princess Irene was the youngest child of King Paul of Greece and Queen Fredericia. Her sister, Sofia, was born a Greek princess, but she became queen of Spain when she married the late King Juan Carlos I. Irene spent her later years with Sofia at the Zarzuela Palace in Madrid, where she ultimately died “surrounded by loved ones,” according to a statement from the Greek royal family.
The tragic announcement comes after Queen Sofia canceled planned engagements in Palma de Mallorca earlier this week to remain by her sister’s side as her health declined. Irene had been described as being in a “critical” and “fragile” condition. Three years ago, HOLA! reported that the princess “suffers from cognitive impairment that has gradually weakened her.”
Princess Irene was last seen in public in February 2025 when she attended the wedding of her nephew Prince Nikolaos of Greece and Chrysi Vardinogiánni in Athens. She appeared in a wheelchair at the ceremony.
Unmarried and childless, Irene shared an unusually close bond with Queen Sofia and remained a constant presence in the lives of her nieces and nephews. In her later years, she lived in a private apartment at the Zarzuela Palace.
