Quiet, unconventional, and interesting, with a spiritual and humorous side, Princess Irene, the second daughter and third child of King Pavlos and Queen Frederica, dedicated her life to music, describing it as "one of the faces of God," as well as to charity and the relief of human suffering.
With a wealth of charitable and social work, always pursued with tireless devotion, she earned the title she loved most: "Irene, the princess of the poor." "The purpose is not to save the world, but to offer it a little relief, a little hope, a little harmony where there is suffering," she used to say, knowing that no organization can by itself bring about the universal harmony she sought and faithfully served.
BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION
Princess Irene was the third child of King Pavlos and Queen Frederica and the younger sister of King Constantine and Queen Sofía of Spain. She was born in Cape Town, South Africa, on May 11, 1942, while the Royal Family was in exile due to the Nazi occupation of Greece.
In 1946, she returned to Greece with her family and initially settled in their family home in Psychiko. After the death of King George II and the ascension of her father Pavlos to the throne, the family moved to the Tatoi summer palace.
From a young age, Princess Irene actively participated alongside her siblings, Crown Prince Constantine and Princess Sofía, in the social work of King Pavlos and Queen Frederica. They frequently traveled throughout the country, engaging with people facing hardships, a formative experience that deeply influenced her later philanthropic sensitivity.
Following King Pavlos’ death, she was next in line to the Greek throne until July 10, 1965, when Princess Alexia, daughter of King Constantine, was born. On December 13, 1967, she followed her brother King Constantine into exile after his failed countercoup against the military dictatorship. After a brief stay in India, she permanently settled in Spain with her sister, Queen Sofía.
She passed away on Thursday, January 15th 2026, at 11:40 local time, in Zarzuela Palace in Madrid surrounded by loved ones.
EDUCATION & INTERESTS
Princess Irene graduated from the Salem School in Germany, as did her sister, Queen Sofía of Spain. She then studied philosophy and archaeology under archaeologist Theophano Arvanitopoulou. Alongside Arvanitopoulou and her sister Sofía, she conducted a small-scale archaeological survey in Decelea, collecting fragments of broken pottery from various periods. This research culminated in the 1958 publication of the book "Fragments of Decelea". Their efforts also led to the Archaeological Service continuing broader excavations and restoration work in Decelea.
At a young age, Princess Irene discovered a love for music, a passion she attributed to her father, King Pavlos. She studied piano under renowned pianist Gina Bachauer (1913–1976) and, as an amateur pianist, gave charity concerts in Europe and in the United States.
Princess Irene accompanied her mother Queen Frederica on many trips to India, where she became fascinated by the country's culture and philosophy. In 1969, she briefly lived in India with her mother and, under the guidance of Dr. T.M.P. Mahadevan, director of the Centre for Advanced Study in Philosophy at Madras University, she delved into comparative religion, drawing parallels between the Fathers of the Orthodox Church and Indian texts. Open-minded and thoughtful, she once said in an interview, “…when you have deep faith in your own religion, that doesn't stop you from studying others.” Irene later became Vice President of the Dr. T.M.P. Mahadevan Foundation, which continued his legacy by publishing his works and promoting Indian educational and cultural projects. She also supported the creation of an international library at Madras University.
PHILANTHROPIC ACTIVITY
In 1985, the European Union introduced a program to slaughter cows to curb milk overproduction. In response, Princess Irene launched an initiative to transport healthy, productive cows to India, where they would provide milk for malnourished children.
This mission sparked her lifelong commitment to supporting underdeveloped countries plagued by poverty and hunger. Her efforts also sought to prevent unnecessary animal slaughter and reduce food waste in the developed world.
In 1986, she founded the humanitarian organization ‘World in Harmony / Mundo en Armonía’ based in Madrid, Spain. The organization aimed to find practical ways to show solidarity with those in need and compassion for animals.
Over time, World in Harmony expanded its scope, helping to establish schools and medical centers in Africa and South Asia, and supporting various educational programs. It also carried out important work in Spain and India.
In its efforts to preserve cultural traditions and values, the organization granted scholarships to members of the Hopi Native American community to complete their secondary and higher education. It also supported the Art School in Arizona, which taught native traditions, values, and philosophies.
In Greece, working with various institutions and foundations, World in Harmony provided food aid, school supplies to students in impoverished areas, funded medicine for refugee infants and children, assisted disaster-stricken regions, and supported organizations for children with special needs.
As part of her broader contribution, Princess Irene established the “Gina Bachauer Awards” in 2004, sponsored by World in Harmony in collaboration with the Athens Concert Hall’s “The Friends of Music Society”. These awards reflected both her love for music and her belief that many talented musicians are never recognized due to lack of support. The award gave young musicians the opportunity to study with top instructors abroad and to perform in two concerts, one in Athens and one in Madrid.
On December 31, 2023, after supporting over 150 projects worldwide over 37 years, World in Harmony ceased operations, as Princess Irene was no longer able to oversee its work.
Princess Irene participated in the work of the following Foundations & Organizations:
- Patron, African Cultural Organization of South Africa (ACOSA)
- Patron, Ashram International
- Patron, Banco Santander Central Hispano Foundation
- Honorary President – Spanish Chapter, European String Teachers Association (ESTA)
- Vice President, Dr. T.M.P. Mahadevan Foundation
- Patron – Spanish Chapter, Yehudi Menuhin Foundation
- Vice Chair, Sarvodaya International Trust
- Honorary Council Member, The Peres Centre for Peace (Spain)
