The second son of King Constantine I, Alexander of Greece ascended to the throne in 1917 following the enforced exile of his father and elder brother. His brief three-year reign unfolded against the backdrop of the First World War and the early phases of the Greco-Turkish conflict, forcing him into a role defined by Entente-backed political constraints.
Ascension and Political Confinement
When the Entente Powers demanded the removal of King Constantine I, they bypassed the Crown Prince, George, due to his perceived German sympathies. Alexander was selected as the new King of the Hellenes in June 1917. Lacking political experience, he functioned as a figurehead while Prime Minister Eleftherios Venizelos exerted actual control. Throughout his tenure, he remained largely isolated within the palace, his actions closely monitored by the Allied forces governing Greek policy.
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Before his elevation, Alexander served as a young officer during the Balkan Wars of 1912–1913. He participated in the staff operations that led to the capture of Thessaloniki. Despite his limited authority as king, he maintained vocal support for Greek military campaigns against Bulgaria and the Ottoman Empire. His reign coincided with significant territorial expansions for Greece, facilitated by the victories of the Entente during the final stages of the First World War.
Marriage and Personal Life
In 1919, Alexander sparked a national and royal scandal by marrying Aspasia Manos, a commoner and the daughter of a royal court official. The union was viewed as socially unacceptable by the Greek royal family and European elites. The resulting controversy necessitated a temporary relocation from Greece for the couple. Their marriage remained a point of friction until his untimely death the following year.
Terminal Injury and Succession
In October 1920, Alexander suffered a bite from a domestic Barbary macaque while at his residence. The wound rapidly developed into sepsis, leading to his death on 25 October 1920 at the age of 27. His sudden demise fundamentally altered the Greek political landscape, contributing to the collapse of the Venizelist administration. Subsequent elections and a national referendum resulted in the restoration of his father, Constantine I, to the throne.
Fast facts
- Born: 1893, Tatoi Palace
- Died: 1920, Athens
- Reign: 1917–1920
- Religion: Greek Orthodoxy
- Burial site: Tatoi Royal Cemetery
- Language: Modern Greek
Questions readers ask
Why was Alexander chosen as king instead of his brother?
The Entente Powers believed the Crown Prince, George, was too pro-German and preferred the younger, less politically established Alexander.
How did a macaque bite lead to the king's death?
The bite caused a severe infection that resulted in sepsis, which proved fatal at a time before effective antibiotic treatment.
Achievements
- Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour
- Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
- Knight grand cross of the order of the crown of Italy
- knight of the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus
- Worked as politician
