Princess Irene of Greece, younger sister of Queen Sofia of Spain, has died at the age of 83.
The beloved royal died at 11:40 a.m. on Thursday, January 15, after a long and progressive illness. The news was announced in official statements by the Greek and Spanish royal families.
“Their Majesties the King and Queen and Her Majesty Queen Sofia regret to announce the death of Her Royal Highness Princess Irene of Greece,” reads a statement from the Spanish royal household obtained by HELLO ! review.
Princess Irene was the youngest child of King Paul of Greece and Queen Fredericia. Her sister, Sofia, was born a Greek princess, but became Queen of Spain when she married the late King Juan Carlos I. Irene spent her final years living with Sofia at the Zarzuela Palace in Madrid, where she ultimately died “surrounded by her loved ones,” according to a statement from the Greek royal family.
The tragic announcement comes after Queen Sofia canceled her planned engagements in Palma de Mallorca earlier this week to stay by her sister’s side as her health declined. Irene had been described as being in a “critical” and “fragile” condition. Three years ago, HOLA! reported that the princess “suffered from cognitive disorders that progressively weakened her.”
Princess Irene was last seen publicly in February 2025, when she attended the wedding of her nephew, Prince Nikolaos of Greece, and Chrysi Vardinogianni in Athens. She appeared in a wheelchair during the ceremony.
Single and childless, Irene shared an exceptionally close bond with Queen Sofia and remained a constant presence in the lives of her nieces and nephews. In her later years she lived in a private apartment at the Zarzuela Palace.
