Inside the most controversial royal wedding of the year as 'playboy' Prince Nikolaos of Greece prepares to tie the knot TODAY – just 10 months after split from Princess Tatiana

Just like his parents King Constantine II of Greece and Queen Anne-Marie, and more recently, his sister Princess Theodora and her American husband Matthew Kumar, Prince Nikolaos is set to wed his bride in the Greek capital of Athens today.

Yet despite sticking to the somewhat customary location for his big day, the royal’s whirlwind romance with his bride Chrysí Vardinogianni has hardly been the most traditional.

Nikolaos – once dubbed the ‘Playboy Prince’ after partying with the likes of Elle Macpherson and Jemima Khan, according to Tatler – divorced his previous wife, Princess Tatiana, just 10 months ago, following 14 years of marriage.

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

In January this year, the fiercely private couple’s relationship was revealed, with their upcoming wedding announced shortly after.

An official statement from the former Royal Family of Greece read: ‘On Friday, February 7, 2025, at 6:00 PM, the wedding of Prince Nicholas, formerly Nicholas De Gres, to Mrs. Chryssi Vardinoyannis will take place at the Church of Agios Nikolaos Ragavas, in the presence of close relatives and friends of the family and the couple.’

Their special day comes hot on the heels of Nikolaos’s separation from Princess Tatiana, who later shared how she had had a ‘difficult year’, months after announcing her split in April and later learning that her stepbrother had gone missing.

As such, it’s perhaps unsurprising that the prince and his new bride, a mother-of-two, who is the daughter of a Greek shipping magnate and the ex-wife of a famous pop star, have taken such a low-key approach to their nuptials.

Prince Nikolaos of Greece and Chrysí Vardinogianni departing their pre-wedding party last night

They will marry in a private ceremony in Athens, aware from the glare of the world’s media – after royal fans rallied around Nikolaos’ ex Tatiana in the wake of the announcement.

Although their split in April 2024 was said to be ‘amicable’, the former publicist has hinted at her personal heartbreak in social media posts discussing her ‘year of uncertainty, pain and transformation’.

As well as discussing her struggles with anxiety and panic attacks, the Princess – who has maintained her royal title – has also had the added heartbreak of her beloved stepbrother going missing this year. 

Yesterday, Nikolaos and Chrysí enjoyed a pre-wedding dinner alongside guests including Princess Benedikte of Denmark, Queen Anne-Marie and Queen Sofia of Spain, as well as Princess Theodora and her husband Matthew Kumar.

But the bride appeared to shield herself from photographers when stepping out at the party with her groom, seemingly using her long blonde locks to hide most of her face.

In January, it was confirmed that Nikolaos – the second son of the late King Constantine of Greece and his wife Queen Anne-Marie of Denmark – had proposed to Chrysí, who is the ex-wife of Greek singer Stefanos Xypolitas. 

Chrysí and Stefanos – who share George, 12, and Karen, 11 – reportedly married in 2012 and divorced five years later.

After this, Chrysí dated the actor Konstantinos Markoulakis for five years. Their split in December 2023 came four months before Nikolaos and Tatiana’s shock separation.

Just like his parents King Constantine II of Greece and Queen Anne-Marie, and more recently, his sister Princess Theodora and her American husband Matthew Kumar, Prince Nikolaos is set to wed his bride (pictured at their wedding rehearsal on Wednesday) in the Greek capital of Athens today

Nikolaos – once dubbed the ‘Playboy Prince’ after partying with the likes of Elle Macpherson and Jemima Khan, according to Tatler – divorced his previous wife, Princess Tatiana (pictured left), just 10 months ago, following 14 years of marriage

Hello Greece reports Nikolaos and Chrysí are old family friends and made their first appearance as a couple at Princess Theodora of Greece’s wedding in October 2024.

Chrysí also joined her fiancée in January at a memorial commemorating two years since his father’s death.

That same month, the couple travelled to Copenhagen with Nikolaos’ family to attend a reception for Lene Balleby – King Frederik and Queen Mary’s outgoing Head of Communications.

As they arrived at Amalienborg Palace, Nikolaos and Chrysí were congratulated on their engagement by members of local media – with the Prince replying: ‘Thank you very much.’

Just ten months earlier, Nikolaos and his wife of 14-years Princess Tatiana announced their separation. 

In February 2024, the couple – who never had children – were pictured walking arm-in-arm into St George’s Chapel in Windsor for the Thanksgiving Service for King Constantine, who died of a stroke aged 82 the year before.

As such, royal watchers were left stunned when the pair announced their split less than two months later.

Their statement read: ‘We wish to inform you of a significant and heartfelt decision made by TRH Prince Nikolaos and Princess Tatiana. After 14 years of marriage, they have chosen to amicably dissolve their union. 

Yesterday, Nikolaos and Chrysí enjoyed a pre-wedding dinner alongside guests including Princess Benedikte of Denmark, Queen Anne-Marie and Queen Sofia of Spain , as well as Princess Theodora and her husband Matthew Kumar

But the bride appeared to shield herself from photographers when stepping out at the party with her groom, seemingly using her long blonde locks to hide most of her face

Pavlos, Crown Prince of Greece, pictured departing the couple’s pre-wedding dinner in Athens

Queen Anne-Marie of Greece (left) and Queen Sofía of Spain (right) pictured departing the couple’s pre-wedding dinner in Athens

Princess Theodora and her husband Matthew Kumar at the couple’s pre-wedding dinner party

‘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.

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

Days before this statement, Tatiana revealed on Instagram that she had been struggling with panic attacks and anxiety as part of Stress Awareness Month.

She wrote: ‘I recently discovered, in the midst of a panic attack, that I needed to go back to basics and work on my breathing more. I had never experienced anything like this.

‘I felt like I was drowning and couldn’t breathe and kept gasping for air. Writing about that moment still constricts my throat. I am sharing this for those that suffer from stress and anxiety and potentially panic attacks to know there are strategies that can help manage and prevent them.’

Following their split announcement, it was confirmed Tatiana would keep her Princess title – even though it carries no constitutional meaning.

One month later, the Princess faced another heartbreak – when her stepbrother Attilio Brillembourg vanished without a trace in the middle of the night in Malibu. Eight months later, he is still missing.

In an interview with BHMagazino last October, Tatiana spoke about the ‘avalanche of changes’ that happened in ‘front of everyone’.

Prince Nikolaos of Greece and Princess Tatiana on their wedding day on the island of Spetses in August 2010

In 2003, Prince Nikolaos – who works as a business consultant and photographer – met Tatiana Blatnik on a ski trip in Switzerland. The couple pictured in June 2010 – two months before their wedding

Summarising her 2024, the royal said: ‘[2024 has been a] really difficult year for me, one of transition, full of moments of uncertainty and pain […]

‘Everything happened at the same time […] I learned the importance of allowing myself to feel, cry, manage emotions and move forward with self-compassion.’

Attilio is the son of Princess Tatiana’s former stepfather, Attilio Brillembourg, who was previously married to her mother and accompanied her at her 2010 wedding to Prince Nikolaos of Greece.

The younger Attilio, a financier who lived in New York, is rumoured to have dated Charlie Chaplin’s granddaughter Kiera Chaplin.

At the time his missing persons report was filled, the sheriff’s department said there was ‘concern’ for Attilio’s ‘wellbeing’.

Tatiana added: ‘Life’s challenges remind me how important it is to persevere, to have hope and faith in the power of the human spirit.’

To mark his birthday last August, Tatiana shared a series of old photos of her brother and pledged to ‘never give up hope’ of finding him.

She wrote: ‘Every year, especially growing up, we celebrated our birthdays together. Today I celebrate you, everything you were and are to me and taught me about life & loving yourself.

Just 10 months after their separation was announced, Prince Nikolaos (pictured with his ex-wife in 2011) confirmed last month that he is set to remarry this week

Prince Nikolaos and Princess Tatiana of Greece at King Constantine’s thanksgiving service in Windsor – two months before announcing their divorce

‘I remember you, the crazy soul cycles, mornings and nights at The Barns, the bongos, oreo milkshakes, yoga, shooting stars, missed flights, we sit and talk about stories with you – and it’s a book in itself. I miss you. I miss our talks. Atti & Tati always.’

Despite their split, Tatiana still has old photos of her husband on her Instagram feed, which have been flooded with supportive comments from fans during her challenging year.

One recently wrote: ‘All Greece supports and loves Tatiana.’ Another gushed: ‘Greece loves TATIANA.’ Meanwhile, a third well-wisher said: ‘You are special and an asset to our country.’

In 2003, Prince Nikolaos – who works as a business consultant and photographer – met Tatiana Blatnik on a ski trip in Switzerland.

The Slovenian-German event planner, who born in Venezuela but raised in Switzerland, previously claimed they fell in love at first sight.

Speaking to the Real Style Network in 2016, Tatiana said: ‘It’s a beautiful story that continues to grow.’ 

During their early married life, the couple settled in Chelsea, with Tatiana working as a publicist for Diane von Furstenberg. 

Shortly after their wedding on the Greek island of Spetses, Tatiana admitted: ‘I do not feel like a princess. 

In this handout image provided by the Greek Royal Family, Prince Nikolaos of Greece and his fiancée Tatiana Blatnik pose following the official announcement of their engagement

Less than a month after her divorce, Princess Tatiana was hit with distressing news that her stepbrother, Attilio Brillembourg III, had vanished in the middle of the night in Malibu (pictured with his rumoured girlfriend, Kiera Chaplin, granddaughter of Charlie Chaplin)

After almost 14 years of marriage, Princess Tatiana and Prince Nikolaos shocked royal fans when they suddenly announced their separation on 19 April 2024. Pictured: Tatiana with her step-father on her wedding day in 2010

‘I do not feel that I married a prince, with a title. Well actually, yes, he is my prince, but nothing more.’ 

But three years later, the couple joined King Constantine and Queen Anne-Marie (who is the sister of Queen Margrethe of Denmark) in moving back to Athens.

In a 2016 interview with Vogue, Tatiana said it was a ‘privilege and honour’ to have married into the Greek Royal Family – but insisted she lives a ‘very simple life’ in Greece.

She explained: ‘I work, I go to the supermarket, I cook, I walk my dog, and the Greek people have welcomed me like they would anyone else.

‘There’s a word here, philoxenia, a love of strangers, and I’ve really felt that very strongly.’ 

Greek media had reported murmurs of estrangement in recent months – with the appearance at the Windsor memorial service in February the last time they were seen together in public.

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