George II (1890 – 1947) was King of Greece from 1922-1924 & 1935-1947 and Prime Minister from 19 April to 22 April 1941.

He was one of the most dramatic figures in modern Greek history. He served in the army as aide-de-camp to his father Constantine I, remained at his side during his conflict with Venizelos and followed him into exile in 1917, when he was pushed aside in the line of succession by his younger brother Alexander, at the demand of the Entente and Venizelos. He returned from exile in 1920, after Venizelos’ electoral defeat and the restoration of Basel.

After the Asia Minor Catastrophe and the abdication of Constantine I, he succeeded him as King of the Greeks on 27 September 1922. After a year, he was forced by the Revolutionary Government to leave Greece. A few months later, by decision of the National Assembly, he and the entire dynasty were declared deposed. It took about 11 years of exile for him to return after the 1935 referendum.

On his return to the country, George, together with John Metaxas, laid the foundations for preparing the country for the war that was obviously coming. When the Nazi troops entered Athens, along with the Tsouderos government, he left for Crete. When Crete was also occupied by the Germans, he left for Cairo. With the liberation of Greece, he was forced to stay abroad and accept the Regency. He was called to reign again in 1946 and passed away after six months.

He entered Freemasonry in 1930 in London where he lived in exile in the “Wallwood” Lodge No. 1543. In 1931 he received the rank of Master and in 1933 he was elected Venerable of his Lodge. In 1936 he received the title of District Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England. In 1943 he was elected a member of theRoyal Alpha Lodge, No. 16, London, of which he remained a member until his death.

After his death, King Pavlos I, at the request of the Grand Lodge of Greece, donated to it emblems and other masonic memorabilia of his brother, which are kept in the Masonic Museum of the Megaron of Athens.