History Daily: The Assassination of King George I of Greece

Host: Lindsay Graham
Date: March 18, 2026
Episode Theme:
This episode revisits the dramatic assassination of King George I of Greece on March 18, 1913. Through vivid storytelling, Lindsay Graham explores the rise and reign of King George I—a foreign prince who became a beloved monarch, his efforts to modernize Greece, the tumultuous relationship with the Ottoman Empire, and the tragic events that ended his 50-year rule. The episode situates the assassination within the larger narrative of Greece’s 19th and early 20th-century struggles for stability, nationhood, and modernization.

Episode Structure & Key Segments

• Introduction to the Assassination – [00:40]
• George’s Unexpected Rise to the Greek Throne – [04:46]
• Early Reign & Efforts to Unite Greece – [06:00]
• Wars, Reforms, & Assassination Attempt – [12:36]
• Balkan Wars & Triumph in Thessaloniki – [15:00]
• The Assassination in Thessaloniki – [19:31]
• Aftermath & Legacy – [21:00]

1. The Assassination of King George I

[00:40]

• Setting the Scene:
  Lindsay Graham describes the late afternoon of March 18, 1913, in Thessaloniki—freshly liberated from Ottoman rule. King George I, a familiar figure to locals, takes his customary evening walk past the White Tower.

  "The sun hangs low over the waterfront as the 67-year-old king of Greece, George I, strolls past the White Tower...he insists on his evening walk. And every day." (Lindsay Graham, [00:40])

• The Assassination: As George acknowledges cheering patrons at a café, a gunshot suddenly echoes. He is fatally wounded and dies within minutes.

  "But before he can take even a few more steps, the crack of a gunshot echoes through the streets. There are screams as people run for cover, but George barely hears them...He pitches forward and crashes face first to the ground." (Lindsay Graham, [01:30])

  Graham notes this act shocked Europe, ending the reign of its longest-ruling monarch and plunging Greece into turmoil.

2. From Danish Prince to Greek King

[04:46]

• A Reluctant Journey: The episode flashes back to June 1863 in Denmark.
  William, a 17-year-old Danish prince, is sullen at the prospect of abandoning home and succession to the Danish throne.

  "Today is the day that he will renounce his place in Denmark's order of succession...Instead, he’s about to be proclaimed king of Greece...with a heavy heart." (Lindsay Graham, [04:46])

• Becoming King George: William formally becomes King George, but remains in Copenhagen several months before finally arriving in Athens to a hero's welcome.

  • He makes a strong effort to adapt, quickly learning Greek and drawing positive comparisons to his unpopular predecessor, Otto.

  "George throws himself into the language and soon becomes fluent. And while Otto shut himself away in the royal palace, George takes walks through the streets..." (Lindsay Graham, [06:30])

3. Fighting for Greece: Modernization and Conflict

[07:00]

• Constitutional Reforms: George leads modernization, championing a new constitution sharing power with parliament, granting voting rights to all men regardless of status—rare for Europe at the time.

  "George pushes for the modernization of Greece as well, as he champions a new constitution that shares power between the monarchy and an elected parliament. And Greece becomes one of the first countries in Europe to grant the vote to all men…" (Lindsay Graham, [07:15])

• Enduring Strife with the Ottoman Empire: The Greek desire to reclaim ancestral lands ignites repeated conflicts, most notably over Crete. Early support for Cretan revolt fails without European intervention.

4. Crises and Assassination Attempt

[12:36]

• The Unfortunate War & Humiliation: In 1897, a failed intervention for Crete’s independence leads to war with the Ottomans. Greece’s defeat is swift and humiliating.

  "It's from his eldest son, the Crown Prince Constantine. The Greek army has been defeated in battle and there are no longer any defenses standing between Ottoman troops and Athens itself." (Lindsay Graham, [12:45])

  George pleads for European support; foreign intervention halts the Ottomans but at a steep cost for Greece. The loss damages national morale and the king’s standing.

• Assassination Attempt: After the defeat, an attempt is made on George’s life. He narrowly saves his daughter, and the would-be assassins say their motive was national humiliation.

  "King George and the princess escape unharmed. But it was a close call, with one bullet missing George's head by barely an inch." (Lindsay Graham, [14:05])

• Push for Reform: In response to widespread disillusionment, army officers stage a coup in 1909. George yields—implementing further reforms and limiting monarchical power.

5. Victory and Sudden Tragedy

[15:00-19:31]

• Balkan Wars Triumph: In 1912, as regional wars erupt, Greece successfully captures Thessaloniki from the Ottomans—securing its future as a Greek city with George’s personal presence strengthening the nation’s claim.

  "Greek soldiers capture the strategically important port city of Thessaloniki...Three days later, King George himself arrives to join the celebrations…" (Lindsay Graham, [16:40])

• Assassination in Thessaloniki: On March 18, 1913, King George, walking with Colonel Ioannis Frangutis, is shot and killed by a man who claims, under interrogation, to have acted on impulse due to illness. The assassin’s true motive is never legally examined—he dies under suspicious circumstances in jail.

  "Colonel Frangutis turns to ask how far the king wishes to walk this evening. But the crack of a pistol suddenly splits the air...Just one look shows that there's nothing Frangutis can do." (Lindsay Graham, [19:36])

6. Aftermath and the Fall of the Monarchy

[21:00]

• Political Instability: The king’s death ushers in an era of instability and crisis. Ongoing wars (including World War I) strain the nation; George’s descendants briefly reign but are exiled or dethroned amidst turmoil.

  • In 1924, less than 11 years after George’s death, Greece abolishes the monarchy and becomes a republic.

  "It was once that the monarchy helped unify Greece. But in these turbulent times, it will only add to the chaos." (Lindsay Graham, [21:25])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On George’s Transformation:

  "He casts himself as a man of the people and makes a point of distancing himself from his unpopular predecessor." (Lindsay Graham, [06:25])

• Tension with the Ottomans:

  "But George also tries to rally support for the Cretan cause among the great powers of Europe, though Britain, France and Russia are unwilling to intervene…" (Lindsay Graham, [08:10])

• Aftermath of Defeat:

  "Facing possible catastrophe, King George meets urgently with his prime minister...His face ashen, George takes the piece of paper and quickly scans the message. A pit then opens in his stomach." (Lindsay Graham, [13:00])

• The End of the Monarchy:

  "In 1924, Greece will become a republic and the royal family will flee into exile. Less than 11 years after George the First, the country's longest reigning king, was gunned down…" (Lindsay Graham, [21:45])

Conclusion

This episode provides a compelling and nuanced account of King George I's reign—a story of foreignness turned to belonging, reform amid warfare, hopes dashed by defeat, and optimism ending in sudden violence. The assassination is positioned as a hinge-moment, unraveling not just a ruler’s life but an entire historical order. Lindsay Graham’s narrative skill and attention to pivotal details make the tragic, complex legacy of George I resonate for the modern listener.