European royals from Spain and Denmark beam – as they gather in Athens for Prince Nikolaos’s pre-wedding dinner

European royals gathered in Athens this evening – for a pre-wedding dinner celebrating the wedding of Prince Nikolaos with Chrysí Vardinogianni.

The evening was marked with attendance from figureheads across Spain and Denmark, including the elegant Princess Benedikte, 80.

The sister of Queen Margrethe – who abdicated in 2023 – looked sensational in a chic red cape over a monochrome blue outfit which included a high-collared top and a pair of tailored trousers.

She finished off her look with a pair of blue court shoes which included a bow detail and a black handbag. 

Benedikte swept her white hair back in to a smart up-do and accessorised with a chunky two-tiered pearl necklace and matching earrings. 

The princess was joined by her daughter Princess Alexandra of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleb​urg, who looked equally as elegant for the outing. 

The glamorous 54-year-old opted for a bold look, donning a panelled turquoise silk skirt with a white blouse underneath an oversized grey wool jacket. 

She added a pair of black suede boots to her look and accessorised with a grey scarf and clutch – before finishing her ensemble off with colourful earrings. 

The mother and daughter were spotted beaming as they left tonight’s festivities, which according to HELLO! was also attended by Queen Anne-Marie and Queen Sofia of Spain, as well as Princess Theodora and her husband Matthew Kumar.

Also pictured tonight was Infanta Christina of Spain, who added a touch of glitz with shimmery jacket, and wrapped up in a scarf to stay warm.

Sofia, 86 – the groom’s aunt – was typically sophisticated in a black coat over a white ensemble, with her brunette tresses styled in a voluminous updo.

Princess Irene of Greece and Denmark, 82, was also chic as ever in a black suit and white blouse – accessorised with a pearl necklace.

Prince Nikolaos became engaged to his family friend Chrysí less than a year after his shock split from his wife of 14 years, Princess Tatiana.

The royal, whose father was Constantine II of Greece – the last king of Greece after it abolished its monarchy in 1973 and Prince William’s godfather – is ‘planning to tie the knot in a very private ceremony’, reported Hello! Greece.

Prince Nikolaos, 55, and Chrysí, daughter of ship owner Giorgos Vardinogiannis and Agapi Politi, have reportedly attended several family events together – including a memorial for the late King Constantine and Princess Theodora and Matthew Kumar’s wedding.

However, they weren’t pictured together at Prince Nikolaos’ sister’s nuptials – instead preferring to keep a low profile, revealed the publication.

Chrysí, who has reportedly long been a close friend of the Greek royal family, split from her husband Konstantinos Markoulakis, a director, in December 2023.

Meanwhile, last April, Prince Nikolaos announced his separation from Princess Tatiana, who later shared how she had had a ‘difficult year’, months after announcing her split and later learning that her stepbrother had gone missing.

Nikolaos – once dubbed the ‘Playboy Prince’ after partying with the likes of Elle Macpherson and Jemima Khan, according to Tatler – will only be inviting close friends and family to his big day, the publication claimed. However, it’s unclear if a date has been set for the reported nuptials.

In October, Tatiana, 44, told Greek publication BHMagazino that she had endured a ‘difficult year’ following the split from her husband, which was made worse by the terrifying disappearance of her stepbrother Attilio Brillembourg, 53.

The royal – a publicist and event planner – said that 2024 has been: ‘A really difficult year for me, one of transition, full of moments of uncertainty and pain.’

After almost 14 years of marriage, Princess Tatiana and Prince Nikolaos shocked royal fans when they suddenly announced their separation on April 19.

Prince Nikolaos married Venezuelan-born Princess Tatiana in August 2010. All appeared to be well between the couple with the two continuing to attend events together up until February 2024.

The pair were pictured together in February – just two months before announcing their split –  at a thanksgiving service for Nikolaos’ father in Windsor in February. 

Prince Nikolaos’ father, Constantine II of Greece, died in Athens in 2023 of a stroke at the age of 82.  

In a statement put out on the Greek royal family’s website, it stated: ;After fourteen years of marriage, [Tatiana and Nikolaos] have chosen to amicably dissolve their union.

‘This decision was reached with great care and mutual respect, reflecting the depth of their appreciation for one another and the moments they have shared.

‘Their future interactions will continue to be guided by these same principles of respect and understanding, as they transition into a relationship rooted in a strong friendship.

‘They will continue to live and build their lives in Greece, a place they both call home. The Family will always support them.’

According to HELLO! Greece, Venezuela-born Tatiana will keep her Princess title after the divorce, although given the Greek monarchy has been defunct since 1967, it carries social prestige rather than any constitutional meaning.