Princess Irene of Greece, the younger sister of Queen Sofia, has died at the age of 83, the Spanish palace has confirmed.
In a statement seen by HELLO!'s sister publication, HOLA!, the royal household said: "Their Majesties the King and Queen and Her Majesty Queen Sofia regret to announce the passing of Her Royal Highness Princess Irene of Greece at 11:40 a.m. today at the Zarzuela Palace in Madrid."
It comes after Queen Sofia cancelled engagements in Palma de Mallorca this week to be by her sister's side after a decline in her health. HOLA! revealed three years ago that Princess Irene was "suffering from cognitive impairment that has progressively weakened her".
© GettyShe was last pictured publicly, using a wheelchair, at the at the wedding of her nephew, Prince Nikolaos of Greece, and Chrysi Vardinogiánni, in Athens in February 2025.
Princess Irene, who never married or had children, had always shared a close relationship with her sister Sofia, and her nephews and nieces. In the latter years of her life, she resided in an apartment at the Zarzuela Palace.
© Gamma-Keystone via Getty ImagesThe princess was the youngest child of the late King Paul of Greece and Queen Frederica. Sofia and Irene's brother, Constantine II, the last King of the Hellenes, passed away in January 2023.
It's the latest heartbreak for Queen Sofia, whose close friend and second cousin, Tatiana Radziwill, died in December, with the Spanish and Greek royals attending her funeral in Paris, France on 10 January.
10 photos of Princess Irene of Greece throughout the years...
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© Getty Images1947
From left, Princess Sofia, Constantine II and Princess Irene of Greece, in the garden of their home in Psychiko
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© Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images1963
Princess Irene of Greece in 1963
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© Getty Images1963
Crown Prince Constantine of Greece dancing with his sister, Princess Irene of Greece, at a Greek Society Ball
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© Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images1966
Princess Irene of Greece arriving at a ball in Amsterdam
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© Getty Images1969
Princess Irene of Greece playing the piano during rehearsals for her debut at the Royal Festival Hall in London
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© WireImage2010
Queen Sofia and Princess Irene of Greece attend Yehudi Menuhin tribute concert at the 'Escuela Superior de Musica Reina Sofia'
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© Getty Images2012
Princess Irene of Greece attends the "BMW" painting award and charity concert at the Auditorio Nacional in Madrid, Spain
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© Europa Press via Getty Images2014
Princess Irene of Greece leaving a restaurant in Madrid, Spain
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© Europa Press via Getty Images2022
Princess Leonor and Princess Irene of Greece in Mallorca, Spain
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© Getty Images2023
Princess Maria, Queen Sofia, Princess Irene and Prince Constantine-Alexios attend the 40-day Memorial Service of King Constantine II
