King Charles yesterday met Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and his wife Mareva Grabowski for tea at Windsor Castle, where they discussed a £12.3million renovation of Prince Philip’s family home in Greece.
Tatoi Palace, 27 km north of Athens, was once the residence of the Greek royal family before a military coup in 1973 and is now in ruins, but could now be turned into a museum as part of a joint plan between Great 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 Foundation advises the Greek government on the restoration of the historic palace.
King Charles appeared to smile as he shook hands with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis (photo LR: King Charles, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Mareva Grabowski)
Tatoi Palace, 27 km north of Athens, was once the residence of the Greek royal family before a military coup in 1973 and now lies in ruins.
A spokesman for Greek King Constantine said plans would build on the £45million 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 to the creators of A Royal Grand Design, which will air tomorrow night on ITV, which follows his restoration of the estate in Ayrshire.
Her Majesty told the program the project, which nearly bankrupted him as Prince of Wales, was “a dreadful risk” but worth it.
The King added: “I knew it was a deprived area. I wanted to use it as a good example of what I’ve always believed in, heritage-driven restoration.
Charles wore a gray two-piece suit, paired with a white shirt and dark brogues for the meeting.
Meanwhile, Mr Mitsotakis, 54, wore a similar formal outfit, opting for a navy suit with a single-breasted blazer, white shirt and royal blue tie.
Ms. Grabowski donned a long black skirt, which she paired with a belted gray jacket and high-heeled boots.
It has been reported by the Greek press that a topic of discussion at the meeting could be how to better manage and preserve the Tatoi estate, once the summer residence of the Greek royal family.
While still Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, the royal couple visited the estate during their visit to Greece in March 2021.
The meeting follows reports earlier this year that Mr Mitsotakis hopes King Charles will help in his latest attempt to return the Elgin Marbles to Athens.
Mr Mitsotakis and his wife Mareva Grabowski are said to have undertaken a number of engagements in the UK
The 2,500-year-old marbles were excavated 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 of 1963 prevents the transfer of ownership of museum objects.
Speaking in October, Mr Mitsotakis told The Sunday Times he had a ‘good personal relationship’ with King Charles and believed he supported him.
King Charles, who wore a gray two-piece suit to meet Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, also met the Prime Minister’s wife Mareva Grabowski (pictured)
The king, he said, has “a Greek heritage which he appreciates and cherishes”, adding: “I think the mood is changing in the UK”.
It has emerged Greek businessman John Lefas, 71, is investing millions to send British MPs to Athens to pressure them into overturning UK law and allowing marbles to return.
Lord Vaizey, a former Conservative culture minister, has already made the trip as part of the Parthenon project, the Sunday Telegraph reported.
