Princess Theodora of Greece has finally tied the knot with her LA-based lawyer fiancé Matthew Kumar, following a four-year delay.
The 41-year-old actress, who was born in London and played secretary Alison Montgomery in The Bold and the Beautiful, looked every inch the perfect bride as she arrived at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Athens.
Wearing a bespoke off-the-shoulder wedding gown from Greek designer Celia Kritharioti, the bride put on a dazzling display in the Cartier-made Khedive of Egypt Tiara, which has long been worn by women in Theodora’s family on their big days.
The wedding was initially scheduled to be held on the Greek island of Spetses in 2020, but had to be put on hold because of the Covid pandemic. A second attempt was postponed after the death of Theodora’s father King Constantine II of Greece in 2023.
As the daughter of the late Greek King and his wife Queen Anne-Marie, the bride – who was also the late Queen Elizabeth II‘s goddaughter – is related to a host of glam European royals – many of whom attended her big day, including Queen Sofia of Spain and model Princess Olympia of Greece.
Although Theodora did not have her father to walk her down the aisle as she showcased her stunning wedding dress for the first time, her oldest brother Crown Prince Pavlos performed the role of ‘giving away’ his younger sister.
Princess Theodora of Greece pictured arriving at her wedding to LA-based lawyer Matthew Kumar. She stands next to her older brother Crown Prince Pavlos
Although Theodora did not have her father to walk her down the aisle as she showcased her stunning wedding dress for the first time, her oldest brother Crown Prince Pavlos performed the role of ‘giving away’ his younger sister
Wearing a bespoke off-the-shoulder wedding gown from Greek designer Celia Kritharioti, the bride put on a dazzling display in the Cartier-made Khedive of Egypt Tiara, which has long been worn by women in Theodora’s family on their big days
Both were seen walking from a car towards the Cathedral, with Pavlos supporting his younger sister while she made her way up the stairs, before her niece Olympia helped sort out her beautiful gown.
Sporting a traditional white frock, Theodora’s strapless dress featured a fold-over neckline, an A-line shaped skirt and a fabric covered in shimmering white beads.
The bride’s dress – which she picked out ahead of the original wedding date in 2020 – was created by Celia Kritharioti.
Celia is Greece’s foremost fashion designer, whose elegant creations are worn by the likes of Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, Gwyneth Paltrow and Taylor Swift.
She is the owner of the oldest Greek fashion house, which was established in Athens in 1906, and features at Paris Fashion Week Haute Couture and at London’s Harrods.
Meanwhile, the Khedive of Egypt Tiara has long been worn by women in Theodora’s family on their wedding days, including by her mother Queen Anne-Marie of Greece, and her aunts Queen Margrethe II of Denmark and Princess Benedikte of Denmark.
It was given to Princess Margaret of Connaught – who married the future King of Sweden, Gustaf VI Adolf – as a wedding present in 1905 by the Khedive, reported Royal Central.
The tiara was created by Cartier and features a laurel wreath-inspired design, which includes diamonds and platinum.
The wedding was initially scheduled to be held on the Greek island of Spetses in 2020, but had to be put on hold because of the Covid pandemic. A second attempt was postponed after the death of Theodora’s father King Constantine II of Greece in 2023
Sporting a traditional white frock, Theodora’s strapless dress featured a fold-over neckline, an A-line shaped skirt and a fabric covered in shimmering white beads
Queen Anne-Marie of Greece (pictured right) was accompanied to her daughter’s wedding by her son Prince Nikolaos (pictured left)
Princess Margaret often wore the tiara before her death in 1920. The tiara then left Sweden when her daughter Princess Ingrid, married Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark.
The bride and groom’s wedding date on Saturday was said to be picked due to it being close to the wedding anniversary of Theodora’s parents, King Constantine and Queen Anne-Marie, who were married on September 18, 1964, in Athens.
Initially, Princess Theodora and her fiancé, who announced their engagement in November 2018 after two years of dating, were scheduled to wed on the Greek island of Spetses in 2020.
But the couple were forced to put the May 26 event on hold because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Despite not walking down the aisle on the day, Theodora still celebrated with her husband-to-be and she shared a snap of herself with Matthew on Instagram as they dined on Greek salad, olives, bread and cheese and shared a tipple.
As she posted the photo, the Princess wrote: ‘On what should have been our wedding weekend – the love and support from friends and family have been so appreciated. We can’t wait to celebrate with all of you in Greece once it’s safe.’
When the pandemic finally came to an end, Theodora and Matthew set another wedding date – ‘early summer’ in 2023, in Porto Heli, Greece.
However, just a month after the Greek Royal Household announced the second wedding date, actress Theodora’s father, King Constantine of Greece, passed away.
King Constantine, the last King of Greece who was exiled in 1973 when the monarchy was abolished, had five children; Crown Prince Pavlos, Prince Philippos, Princess Alexia, Princess Theodora and Prince Nikolaos.
The exiled king died at the age of 82 in January 2023. As Theodora mourned her father, she postponed her wedding to Matthew for the second time.
The bride and groom were spotted side-by-side at the memorial service for King Constantine at St George’s Chapel in Windsor in February 2024, which saw royals from across Europe in attendance including Queen Camilla, King Felipe of Spain and Queen Letizia.
Two months after her father’s death, the princess posted a tribute to him on Instagram which read: ‘It’s been two months since you left us. Miss you everyday Papa. Love you.’
The beautiful bride enjoys close ties to both the British, Danish and Spanish royal families.
Her father King Constantine – who retained his royal title after the abolition of the Greek monarchy in 1973 – was a second cousin of King Charles, and Prince William’s godfather.
Meanwhile, her mother, Queen Anne-Marie is the younger sister of Denmark’s Queen Margrethe, making King Frederik her first cousin.
Elsewhere, Theodora’s paternal aunt is Queen Sofia, who was Queen of Spain from 1975 to 2014 as the wife of King Juan Carlos I.
King Constantine’s son Crown Prince Pavlos and the Greek Royal Family have no official remit, but are still active participants in royal life around Europe.
At the time of her engagement, Theodora announced the happy news on Instagram, saying: ‘Words can’t express our happiness and excitement. I can’t wait to marry this wonderful man. I love you, Matt.’
On Friday night, Theodora proved to be the epitome of a beautiful bride-to-be as she stepped out for her pre-wedding dinner on Friday night.
The 41-year-old appeared radiant in a white midi dress from Celia Kritharioti as she hosted an array of royals from the Greek, Spanish and Danish households in Athens – with glitzy guests including her glamorous model niece Princess Olympia, 28.
As every bride should, Theodora commanded attention in her chic backless dress, which featured a stylish square neckline with thick straps, a billowing skirt, cinched waist detailing and a statement bow.
Looking effortlessly elegant, the bride teamed her dress with a pair of matching white heels and the $373 ‘Elos’ Box Clutch in Pearl from Los-Angeles based brand Cult Gaia.
She couldn’t keep the smile from her face as she stepped out at the glamorous occasion with her husband-to-be Matthew, who looked equally smart in a navy blazer teamed with black trousers and a white shirt.
Guests at the event, held at the Byzantine and Christian Museum, included Theodora’s paternal aunt is Queen Sofia, as well as the bride’s maternal aunt Princess Benedikte of Denmark.
They were joined by members of the Greek Royal Family, including Marie-Chantal, Crown Princess of Greece, who is wed to Theodora’s brother Pavlos, Crown Prince of Greece, Queen Anne-Marie and Olympia.
Olympia was dressed to impress in a strappy silver dress, featuring a pleated skirt and teamed with metallic accessories.
Her mother, Marie-Chantal, looked just as stunning in a navy frock, paired with golden heels and a matching clutch bag.
Earlier on Friday, the bride and groom visited the Metropolitan Cathedral in Athens, with preparations in the works ahead of today’s nuptials.
Theodora paid a nod to her upcoming bridal weekend with a white linen dress from ALÉMAIS, retailing online for £405. The summery design featured quirky illustrations of fish, flowers and palm trees and was teamed with chic sliders.
She wore her platinum blonde tresses down in relaxed waves and sported a natural, dewy make-up look as she walked hand-in-hand with Matthew and held onto a bouquet of flowers.
The groom-to-be, meanwhile, looked dapper in a striped shirt which he wore with a smart black blazer and navy trousers.
Also present at the Cathedral was Theodora’s mother, Queen Anna Maria of Greece, 78, who grinned as she chatted with others in a green linen summer dress.
Her siblings, Nikolaos, 54, and Alexia, 59, of Greece, were also seen at the event. Alexia was effortlessly elegant in a white and navy frock, accessorised with a pair of sunglasses and a matching blue handbag.
She channelled glamour as she styled her brunette tresses in relaxed waves. Nikolaos appeared to be in good spirits as he donned a navy suit and chatted with his mother.
