Prince Michael of Greece and Denmark, a first cousin of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, has passed away at the age of 85. The royal, known for his work as a writer and historian under the name Michel De Gres, died in a hospital in Athens. He was the last surviving grandson of George I of Greece and was connected to the House of Bourbon through his mother.

Prince Michael is remembered for renouncing his right to the Greek throne to marry Marina Karella in 1965. He is survived by his wife and their two daughters, Princess Olga of Savoy-Aosta and Princess Alexandra of Greece. The prince, who was left orphaned at 14, studied political science in Paris and later served in the Hellenic Coast Guard to regain Greek citizenship. He will be buried in Athens on Thursday.