3-085-994 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Attempt on the Life of the King of Greece: a popular demonstration in front of the Royal Palace, Athens, to celebrate His Majesty's escape, 1898. 'From a Photograph supplied by the Nilsson Library, Paris. The escape of [George I of Greece] from assassination continues to be the theme of rejoicing amongst his subjects. We give a picture of a scene outside the King's palace at Athens, showing the enthusiastic fervour of the populace. Personally, King George is the most democratic Sovereign in Europe, and the divinity that hedges him is not at all of the ultra-regal kind which may be seen in some more important capitals than his. A certain spirit of comradeship between himself and his people suffered, no doubt, from the disasters of the recent war, but it has been completely restored by the universal joy over his preservation from the hand of an assassin.' However, while out on an afternoon walk on 18 March 1913, King George was shot at close range in the back by Alexandros Schinas, who was "said to belong to a Socialist organization" and "declared when arrested that he had killed the King because he refused to give him money". The king died instantly, the bullet having penetrated his heart. From "Illustrated London News", 1898.