Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Sophie's dowry approved


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March 20, 1962

The Greek parliament today approved a $300,000 tax-free dowry for Princess Sophie of Greece, reports the New York Times.

Princess Sophie will be married in Athens on May 14 to Don Juan Carlos, the son of the Count of Barcelona, the pretender to the Spanish throne.

The bill was passed by a show of hands.  Two parties, the Union of the Center and the Pro-Communist United Democratic Left, abstained from the voting.

Opposition leaders "denounced the practice of granting dowries and anachronistic and barbarous."  The debate over the dowry gave the "Opposition an occasion to voice strong criticism of the royal family and court officials."

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