GEORGE II

KING GEORGE II OF GREECE

This collection captures the life and reign of George II of Greece, a king whose tenure was marked by political instability, exile, and the challenges of guiding Greece through turbulent times. Featuring rare documents, decrees, edicts, manuscripts, cabinet cards, photos, and personal letters, the archive offers insight into a monarch whose commitment to Greece endured despite multiple upheavals and forced exiles. For historians and collectors, these artifacts reveal the complexities of George II’s rule and his efforts to uphold the monarchy amidst profound national changes.

Born in 1890, George II first ascended to the throne in 1922, following the abdication of his father, Constantine I. However, his early reign was brief, as political instability and rising republican sentiment forced him into exile in 1924 when Greece became a republic. Restored to the throne in 1935 after a plebiscite, he faced the pressures of political division and the onset of World War II. Following the German invasion in 1941, George II again went into exile, leading the Greek government-in-exile from London and Cairo. Returning to Greece in 1946 after the war, he resumed the throne, though his final years were overshadowed by civil unrest.

George II’s legacy is one of resilience and loyalty to his country, symbolizing the challenges faced by the Greek monarchy in an era of conflict and transformation. His dedication to Greece, despite repeated exiles, reflects the complexities of a monarch navigating the shifting tides of 20th-century Greek politics.