King Charles discussed restoring Philip's family palace with Greek PM
King Charles discussed £12m restoration of his father Prince Philip’s ruined family palace near Athens with Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis over tea at Windsor Castle
- King Charles had meeting with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis
- PM’s wife Mareva Grabowski was also snapped attending meeting at Windsor
- The King discussed the renovation of Prince Philip’s family palace in Greece
King Charles met Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and his wife Mareva Grabowski for tea at Windsor Castle yesterday, where they discussed a £12.3 million renovation of Prince Philip’s family home in Greece.
The Tatoi Palace, 17 miles north of Athens was once the home of Greece’s royal family before a military coup in 1973 and now lies in ruins, but could now be turned into a museum in a joint plan between Britain and Greece.
The King visited the palace, where his grandfather is buried, last year as part of the 200th anniversary of the Greek War of Independence.
The monarch’s Prince’s Foundation is providing advice to the Greek government on restoring the historic palace.
King Charles appeared to smile as he shook hands with Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis (pictured L-R: King Charles, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Mareva Grabowski)
The Tatoi Palace, 17 miles north of Athens was once the home of Greece’s royal family before a military coup in 1973 and now lies in ruins
A spokesperson for Greek King Constantine said the plans would draw on the £45 million renovation of Dumfries House in Ayrshire led by King Charles.
They said: ‘They want to use it as an example of best practice’, according to the Mirror.
The King has given an interview with the makers of A Royal Grand Design, which airs tomorrow night on ITV, which follows his restoration of the estate in Ayrshire.
His Majesty told the programme the project, which almost bankrupted him as Prince of Wales, was ‘an appalling risk’ but worthwhile.
The King added: ‘I knew it was a deprived area. I wanted to use it as a proper example of what I’ve always believed in, heritage-led restoration.’
Charles wore a grey two-piece suit, paired with a white shirt, and dark brogues for the meeting.
Meanwhile, Mr Mitsotakis, 54, wore similarly formal attire, opting for a navy suit with a single-breasted blazer, white shirt, and royal blue tie.
Ms Grabowski donned a black maxi skirt, which she pared with a belted grey jacket, and knee high heeled boots.
It has been reported by some Greek press that one topic of discussion during the meeting could be how to better manage and preserve the Tatoi estate, once the summer residence of the Greek royal family.
While still the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, the royal couple toured the estate when they visited Greece in March 2021.
The meeting follows reports earlier this year that Mr Mitsotakis is hopeful King Charles will aid his latest bid to return the Elgin Marbles to Athens.
Mr Mitsotakis and his wife Mareva Grabowski have reportedly undertaken a number of engagements while in the UK
The 2,500-year-old marbles were taken from the Parthenon between 1801 and 1812 by Lord Elgin, ambassador to the Ottoman Empire.
The Greeks say they were stolen, but the British Museum Act 1963 prevents ownership of artefacts being transferred from the museum.
Speaking in October, Mr Mitsotakis told The Sunday Times he had a ‘good personal relationship’ with King Charles and believes he is supportive.
King Charles, who wore a grey two-piece suit to meet Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, also met with the PM’s wife Mareva Grabowski (pictured)
The King, he said, has ‘a Greek heritage which he values and cherishes’, adding: ‘I think the mood is changing in the UK.’
It has emerged that Greek businessman John Lefas, 71, is investing millions to fly British MPs to Athens to lobby them to overturn UK law and allow the marbles’ return.
Lord Vaizey, a former Tory culture minister, has already taken the trip as part of the Parthenon Project, The Sunday Telegraph reported.
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