THE KING AND MEMBERS OF THE GREEK ROYAL FAMILY AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE.




Initials RM/V/CCT/EHH



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Background: KING CONSTANTINE OF GREECE ATTENDED A PRESS CONFERENCE IN ROME TODAY (WEDNESDAY) -- HIS FIRST SINCE FLEEING TO ROME A WEEK AGO. THE KING, WHO APPEARED WITH MEMBERS OF HIS FAMILY, REFUSED TO MAKE ANY STATEMENT.

THE KING, QUEEN ANNE MARIE AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL FAMILY LINED UP IN THE DRAWING ROOM OF A VILLA IN ROME WHERE THEY'RE STAYING FOR PHOTOGRAPHS. THEIR SMILES WERE BLEAK AND CLEARLY FORCED. THERE WAS LITTLE SIGN OF AMUSEMENT EVEN AS TWO-YEAR-OLD PRINCESS ALEXIA RAN AWAY FROM THE GROUP AND STARTED PLAYING.

THE MEETING TOOK PLACE ON CONDITION THAT NO QUESTIONS WERE ASKED. THE 27-YEAR-OLD KING TOLD PHOTOGRAPHERS: "I CAN MAKE NO DECLARATION BECAUSE THE TIME IS NOT RIPE. I WILL MAKE ONE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE". HE FINALLY ASKED THE PHOTOGRAPHERS TO LEAVE THE ROOM.