Prince Philip's first cousin, Prince Michael of Greece and Denmark, has died, his family announced Sunday. He was 85.

Prince Michael was pronounced dead at a hospital in Athens, Greece, GB News reported. An exact cause of death was not disclosed.

The royal's funeral will be held in the Greek capital Thursday.

Prince Michael was a renowned writer and historian under the name Michel De Gres and had written several bestselling books, including fictional biographies and novels in French.

He was the last remaining grandson of George I, who was king of Greece from 1863 until his assassination in 1913.

Prince Philip, who was also a grandson of George I, died in April 2021 -- just weeks before his 100th birthday.

Prince Michael also boasted a lineage to the House of Bourbon through his mother's side of the family.

Prince Michael famously gave up his rights to the Greek throne to marry his wife, Marina Karella, the daughter of a common-born industrialist, in 1965.

After tying the knot at the Royal Palace in Athens, he and the acclaimed painter and sculptor welcomed their daughters, Princess Alexandra of Greece and Princess Olga of Savoy-Aosta.

Queen Elizabeth Spends Christmas Without Prince Philip 65 Years Ago, Reason Behind Holiday Separation Explored
HM Queen Elizabeth II, The Queen, and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, watch the flypast over The Mall of British and US World War II aircraft from the Buckingham Palace balcony on National Commemoration Day July 10, 2005 in London. Poppies were dropped from the Lancaster Bomber of the Battle Of Britain Memorial Flight as part of the flypast. Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images

Last year, Prince Michael told Fox News Digital that he had no regrets about renouncing his rights to the throne to marry the love of his life.

"It was love at first sight -- it has never, ever changed," the royal said. "Now we are married 58 years ... Marina and my country Greece are the same."

"Renouncing this title, not being a member of a ruling monarch in official functions and everything gave me a sense of freedom. I could choose my work and my profession, which I discovered was writing and history. It gave me the freedom to choose my way," he also said.

Prince Michael was the only child of Prince Christopher and his second wife, Princess Francoise d'Oleans of France.

He lost his father when he was just 1 after Prince Christopher died of an illness in 1940.

Princess Francoise also passed away in 1953 when Prince Michael was 14.

Tributes poured in for Prince Michael on X, formerly Twitter, following the news of his passing.

"I am so desolate to know about the death of Prince Michael of Greece and Denmark. Michael was a notable historian and author, very respected by all who knew him," one X user wrote alongside a throwback photo of the royal. "May His Royal Highness rest in peace and may his family find strength."

"Saddened to hear of the passing of Prince Michael of Greece, the cousin of the late Prince Philip," another wrote, "Sending condolences to his family and friends."

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