European royalty gathered on the island of Spetses for the wedding of the second son of Greece’s former King Constantine on Wednesday.
As you know, in all of these situations, even the last minute you are preparing.
Prince Nicholas, the second son of former King Constantine of Greece, married Tatiana Blatnik, a 29-year-old event planner for fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg.
The prince’s wedding to Tatiana Blatnik was held in a monastery near the old port of Stepses island.
Hundreds of well wishers thronged to share the excitement at the monastery of Ayios Nikolaos, which was decked out with national flags.
Blatnik arrived in a horse-drawn carriage and waved to a crowd of well wishers gathered outside.
The 40-year-old Nikolaos arrived by boat.
For her big day, the bride wore a strapless ivory gown, a full-length veil and a tiara belonging to her husband’s family.
She was escorted up the aisle by her stepfather Attilio Brillembourg.
More than 350 guest were at the wedding, including Elton John who is rumoured to have performed at the wedding reception.
The Greek Orthodox service was attended by Spanish Queen Sofia – Constantine’s sister – Crown Prince Felipe and his wife, Letizia.
Members of royal families from Norway, Sweden, Denmark and the Netherlands also were present.
Ahead of the ceremony, the groom’s parents, former King Constantine and former Queen Anne Marie, paid a last-minute visit to the church as trucks carried in ornaments and flowers.
“As you know, in all of these situations, even the last minute you are preparing,” Constantine said.
Yachts began gathering in the harbor as early as Monday.
And pre-wedding parties drew a glittery international crowd to the isle, about three hours from Athens.
The 70-year-old Constantine ascended to the throne in Greece in 1964, but he was formally deposed in 1973 during the country’s 1967-1974 military dictatorship.
In 1974, after the restoration of democracy, Greeks voted to abolish the country’s monarchy.